From the inception of the estate the gardens have always had a dual purpose, therapy from the maintenance of the grounds for some and for others appreciation of the beauty of the gardens.
By 1912 the estate, along with the Crichton Royal Farm was well established and had gained recognition across Scotland. Around this time there was a shift in thinking regarding the existing kitchen gardens and orchards and the use of these as the estate grew. By 1921 a further report was commissioned looking at making the kitchen gardens and glass houses more efficient and improving the recreational grounds available. A former professor of Botany at Calcutta, Dr George Watt, produced a report in 1921 detailing his recommendations for improvement. The Garden was constructed using approximately 700 tonnes of local rock, brought to the estate via horse and cart. The initial plants and seedlings for the garden were donated by the Board of Directors from their own private collections. The original orchard was then repurposed into an Arboretum.
Today, the Rock Garden and Arboretum, house mature specimens of plants and trees such as a Handkerchief tree (Davidia Involucrata), Tulip Tree (Liriodendron Tulipifera) Paper Back Maple (Acer Griseum) and Chilean Fire Bush (Embothrium Coccineum). Why not explore the various paths around the garden, waterfall and ornamental pond?
Further along the grounds is the Rose Garden which was planted to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Crichton Trust. There are seats in the garden for you to enjoy the roses when in bloom.
There are Heritage leaflets available from the Reception desk at Easterbrook Hall which detail the history of the estate along with suggested routes for walks. There are ample places to sit and enjoy the surroundings as you walk around the estate. Why not call in at Neuros for lunch to round off your day?