Arduaine Garden

Overview

There has never been a better time to visit Arduaine Garden, at the foot of the Arduaine peninsula on the west coast south of Oban, and to enjoy the delights of the neighbouring Loch Melfort Hotel, originally Arduaine House.

The garden, owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland, will surprise and delight garden visitors all year round. This south-facing garden on the Sound of Jura benefits from the warming effect of the North Atlantic Drift and this produces some spectacular displays.

Proximity to the sea allows the cultivation of many rare and tender plants from around the globe, with the emphasis on South America and East Asia. The renowned rhododendrons attract enthusiasts from far and wide, and azaleas, magnolias and many other shrubs and trees fill the garden with scent and colour. Blue Tibetan poppies, Chatham Island forget-me-nots and giant Himalayan lilies are just part of the perennial collection, flowering well into autumn; palms and tree ferns add to the sense of the exotic.

While at Arduaine, take time also to explore the adjacent Loch Melfort Hotel, now working in close partnership with the Trust. This very comfortable Scottish country house hotel dates back to 1896 and retains many of its orginal features, so is full of character and warmth. It's a perfect base to discover the delights of the west coast around Oban, or if you are just visiting for the day, the hotel offers a wide range of meals and snacks. Chose from either the Chartroom II Bistro, with its locally-sourced food and spectacular sea views, or the more formal Arduaine restaurant (AA 2 rosette). Arduaine is a haven for wildlife, so look out for kestrels, seals, badgers and porpoises and, for younger visitors don't miss the Highland cattle, hens and ducks in the hotel grounds, as well as enjoying the play park and a walk to the sandy beach. Further details from Calum and Rachel Ross, tel 01852 200233 or visit www.lochmelfort.co.uk