Hi GPODers!
The number of public gardens waiting to be discovered and explored always astounds me. Just when I think I have heard of all the must-see spots, a new destination blows me away with exquisite designs and fascinating history. So, it was no surprise when this submission from Nancy Mellen introduced me to yet another historic estate in the UK with fantastic, formal gardens. We’ve seen Nancy’s stunning home garden in Hingham, Massachusetts many times on the blog (Nancy’s Hidden Garden Treasures, Spring and Summer 2024 in Nancy’s Massachusetts Garden, Fall Beauties From Nancy, and more), and she has shared photos from some spectacular travels over the years (Jardin du Luxembourg in August, Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill Annual Tour, and Morikami Japanese Garden). Today she is taking us to the formal gardens at Ballindalloch Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
In the fall of 2025, four friends from Australia, my husband and I traveled to Scotland. We visited amazing castles and several lovely gardens. This walled garden was at Ballindalloch Castle near Grantown-on-Spey.
This is Ballindalloch Castle’s front entrance. Behind where I was standing taking the picture was a pasture filled with sheep.
This is another side of the castle.
In the 4 corners of the walled garden were circular gardens with a statue representing the 4 seasons. Each garden used different roses and perennials surrounding the statue.
Another circular garden bed, I wonder what season this represents…
This is the entrance to the garden. All the walls and arbors were covered with climbing roses and clematis.
Unfortunately, all the roses were not in bloom. In the summer it must be incredible.
Some of the shrub roses. Everywhere we looked there were roses of different colors and types.
In the center of the garden was this lovely fountain and pool with seating for the visitors to sit and enjoy the view.
Thank you so much for sharing more incredible garden travel inspiration with us, Nancy! The UK is a popular destination for garden site-seeing, but it is always worth-while to learn about some of the lessen-known gardens and grounds that are still worthy of a visit.
What nuggets of inspiration have you taken from a public garden visit and applied to your home plantings? Let us know in the comments below, or consider sharing photos of the plants and designs as they now appear in your garden. Follow the NEW directions below to submit your photos to Garden Photo of the Day!
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