Gardens
The Perthshire Gardens Collection provide a delightful variety of colourful gardens-from small, lovingly tended, privately owned gardens full of specialist flowers to large formal gardens in the grounds of stately homes.
Near the cabins and on the outskirts of Crieff, Drummond Castle Gardens(external link), have maintained the splendour of the magnificent Italian gardens in Renaissance style, first laid out by John Drummond, 2nd Earl of Perth in the 17th century.
While in Perth area you can also visit Branklin Gardens and take a walk along the banks of the "silvery" Tay amid the beautiful gardens, just 5 minutes walk from the shops! It is only a short drive from here to visit Scone Palace(external link) with its gardens and rich history.
To the east , you can see a very wide range of plants at the Dundee Botanic Garden which hosts a splendid collection of conifers, broadleaf trees and shrubs in tropical and temperate glasshouses with plants from all continents in the world.
Just north of Dundee, Edzell Castle(external link) which is open to the public, also has interesting gardens.
Just 10 minutes south of St Andrews, Cambo Garden has a 2.5 acre walled garden and 70 acres of woodland to enjoy.Further information on these and Perthshire's many other gardens is available from Perthshire Gardens(external link).
To the west , the gardens of Argyll entice the enthusiast. Crarae Gardens(external link) can be found on the A83 , eleven miles south of Inverary. This is a spectacular 50 acre garden centred on the Crarae Burn as it cascades through rocky gorges and gives the garden the feel of the Himalayas. The wide variety of shrubs and trees grow, sheltered by large conifers. In spring the flowers, and in autumn the leaves make a spectacular display of colour
Ardkinglas Woodland Garden(external link), at the top of Loch Fyne, contains one of the finest collections of conifers in the British Isles. These gardens can be enjoyed at any time of the year but are spectacular in spring and early summer when rhododendrons and azaleas create a riot of colour, with a background carpet of bluebells. A day trip can easily include both these gardens and a visit to Inveraray.
Less formally and locally, Crieff(external link), Aberfeldy(external link), Callander(external link) all have very attractive, well stocked local parks which are a delight to wander through.
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