Argyll and Bute Scotland

WELCOME TO THE GLORIOUS GARDENS OF ARGYLL & BUTE Argyll is a dramatic county in the west highlands of Scotland, though within easy reach of Glasgow. The terrain ranges from the wild mountain scenery of the interior down to rugged and beautiful coastline and offshore islands.

Welcome to Argyll and Bute Scotland

This is a diverse area of rich culture and contrasts. For those who love nature and the outdoors, it offers forest parks and colourful floral gardens, beautiful islands each full of individual character, and abundant wildlife. For lovers of history, there is an unparalleled range of historic sites including castles, monuments and historic houses where Scotland's turbulent past, clan heritage and rich history will delight the visitor. You can take to the seas to explore the rugged coast of Argyll, or take a more relaxing cruise on some of the most famous lochs in Scotland. Your can even visit many of the area's internationally famous distilleries to see how our national drink is made. Whatever your interests, you're sure to have a packed itinerary.

Shopping and Leisure
You won't go home empty handed from Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs. You can pick up a bargain at the area's designer outlets, browse through shops in modern centres and bustling towns, and find delightful locally produced craft items to remind you of your visit. And to keep fit whilst you're here, there are also first class leisure facilities at various locations throughout the area. You might also wish to check out the evening entertainment available in the local area whilst you are here.

Eating and drinking
In Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs you'll certainly get a taste of Scotland. Freshly caught seafood and delicious dishes containing only the finest locally produced ingredients are bywords of traditional Scottish cookery. However, you'll find a tremendous variety of international cuisine throughout the area. From bar lunches and snacks to a la carte evening dining, there are plenty of places where you'll find meals to remember. Don't forget to wash it all down with a glass of Scotch whisky - many internationally acclaimed brands are produced right here!

Atlantic weather systems tend of dominate the area, with high rainfall and westerly winds being the factors which have most influenced Argyll gardeners over the years. The majority of the Glorious Gardens are situated in coastal or island areas where the moist, westerly airstreams and the North Atlantic Drift have a moderating influence, precluding extremes of temperature. These characteristics provide ideal conditions for plants from many temperate parts of the world, in particular the Sino-Himalayan region, southern South America and southern Australasia. On a less positive note, high winds from the sea make shelter essential for coastal gardens, and where this is not naturally provided then gardeners have had to create it - the high wall at An Cala, and the shelterbelts at a number of exposed gardens are examples of this, together with the walled gardens at Ardencraig, Ardmaddy, Kinlochlaich and Jura House.

The Gardens range from informal woodland gardens to classic examples of 18th century design. They may be planted within a natural setting as are Crarae, Ardtornish and Barguillean's Angus Garden or be designed gardens such as An Cala, Ardencraig and Ascog Hall, the latter with a wonderful Victorian fernery. Some gardens were planted as a foil to historic buildings, Torosay, Ardchattan and Ardmaddy among them, whereas many others have exceptional plant collections like Crarae, Ardkinglas and Arduaine on mainland Argyll, or the island gardens of Achamore and Colonsay.

Plant collectors from Victorian times to present day have brought back seed and plants to the gardens of Argyll. The giant redwood, Sequoiadendron giganteum, can be seen in an early planting as a splendid avenue at Benmore, while rhododendrons from Joseph Hooker's Sikkim expedition of 1849 thrive at Stonefield Castle, Kilmory and Glenarn where rhododendron introductions from Kingdon-Ward and Ludlow & Sheriff also thrive. Venerable specimens of Rhododendron arboreum subsp. zeylanicum at Arduaine are the result of an introduction by J. Arthur Campbell of that garden from his tea plantations in Ceylon. In addition to rhododendrons and azaleas all the classic spring woodland plants such as magnolias, camellias, meconopsis and primulas are seen in profusion in Argyll and many gardens have plant collections that continue in flower well into autumn.

The common factor of the Argyll gardens is their individuality. Each garden has a variety of terrain; many are mainly level with smooth paths, while some are steep and rocky. Each garden has different facilities; some have tearooms or can provide catering for pre-booked groups, some have shops and plant sales and toilets. All will do their best to provide access for visitors of every age, interest and ability.

Accommodation around Argyll and Bute