VISIT DUNBEATH CASTLE
GARDENS The hidden gem of Caithness |
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 When
David Bryce re-modelled and landscaped the spectacular
entrance drive to Dunbeath Castle (mid 19th century) he showed himself to be a visionary
indeed. As one enters the drive past the lodge house one glimpses the
front door of the Castle some 1/2 mile away in what is known as a "keyhole" driveway
and as one descends down the drive the Castle slowly appears
in its full glory encompassed by its steep sloping grass banks and arching
sycamores. To watch the horizon of the Moray Firth slowly change perspective
behind the Castle is truly extraordinary.  The
southerly walled garden was first laid out in 1860 and has a number
of "make-overs" in the last 140 years. The most recent took place
in 1998 when the current owners brought in Xa Tollemache - Chelsea Gold
Medalist, to remodel the whole garden. From her sketches and plans the
owners and gardeners have created the garden as it is now.It is deeply conventional in its mixture of vegetable, fruit, shrub and flower growing but has managed to create a large number of garden "rooms", each with its own feel and visual effect. To see the garden at its best one should enter through the bottom door and be amazed after the starkness of the Castle and its immediate surround by the long mirror planted herbaceous borders running the whole length of the garden. At the far end is the long greenhouse with its fine display of hothouse plants and perhaps the UK’s most northerly fig and apricot trees.
Take your time to wander through the garden "rooms" and reflect that in the winter the wind can often blow at well over 100mph and the salt spray drift all over this haven of peace and colour. Climb up into the turret in the bottom corner of the garden for a panoramic view of both the garden and the Castle.
The garden is a living, constantly evolving work of art, thus please please do not mind if we are working on certain areas during your visit. There is usually a cup of tea for visitors in the potting shed - and a bench or chair to rest and relax and to let the cares of the world drift away - welcome to Dunbeath. |
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Dunbeath
Estate Office - Dunbeath - Caithness - Scotland - KW6 6ED
Telephone +44 (0) 1593 731308 - Fax +44 (0) 1593 731241
E-mail enquiries@dunbeathestate.com