Dirnanean Garden

Dirnanean is a 1.5 hectare garden with 7 hectares of replanted and restored policies and a mile-long Burn Walk located 1,000 ft above sea level.

The surrounding hill scenery is magnificent and the altitude makes gardening challenging. Visitors can enjoy attractive walks through a traditional arrangement of lawn and shrubbery where horticultural highlights include some interesting old trees and stunning rhododendrons.

In the southern section, a walled garden has been substantially restored and features a herbaceous border and a rockery. The herbaceous border, with a wide grass path running behind, is planted with giant delphiniums, peonies, poppies, iris sibirica and Pacific Giants (rarely seen at this altitude), hemerocallis, phlox, campanulas, lupins, echinops, catmint, filiodendron and many more, even some roses.

The wall behind the border is covered with Victoria plums, climbing roses and clematis. A path through the rockery winds its way to the sundial and a seat, giving a view of Kindrogan Rock, the site where the MacDonalds gave the Campbells a mauling with their own dogs.

Beyond, on the south facing slope, an orchard has been planted, where the suns' rays are harnessed and help produce a good crop of apples. The foundations of the old greenhouse now have a new lease of life as a small pond, home to newts and tadpoles. A vegetable garden and potager provide further seasonal interest.

The conservatory by the house is stuffed with plants. Five peacocks and one peahen can usually be seen wandering around the policies or perching in the trees. Red, fallow and roe deer, red squirrels and even a pine marten can sometimes be spotted.

One of the finest features of the garden is the Allt Dir-nan-Ean, a burn flowing from high in the Dirnanean hills southwards through a deep wooded gorge. Visitors can enjoy a good view of this natural water feature from the old carriage drive, which gives a pleasant walk of 700 m down to the Gate Lodge. This part of the garden is accessible for wheelchair users.

Prior booking is recommended for groups.