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Scotland's gardens & country parks
Stroll along ancient avenues of rustling beeches, breathe in the perfume of flowerbeds, and watch herons as they search for lunch in tinkling streams. Whenever you visit, there's always something new to discover in Scotland's gardens, parks, woodlands and plant nurseries. From our botanical gardens and urban green spaces to historic castle gardens and country parks, there are over 400 gardens to visit in Scotland.
Inverewe Garden
Scotland's botanical gardens
Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Scotland’s botanical gardens, including Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Created for the collection of plant species, as well as conservation and preservation, the gardens display remarkable plants from all over the world. See tropical rainforests, arid desert plants and Himalayan natives, to name just a few.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Welcome to the second oldest botanic garden in Britain.
Benmore Botanic Garden
Benmore Botanic Garden makes a bold first impression with its towering avenue of giant redwoods – one of Scotland's most dramatic garden entrances.
Logan Botanic Garden
Warmed by the Gulf Stream, this is Scotland's most exotic garden.
Dawyck Botanic Garden
See one of the world's finest arboreta near Peebles.
Dundee Botanic Garden
From tropical and temperate glasshouses to water and herb gardens.
Glasgow Botanic Garden
Explore the Kibble Palace that houses a forest of tree ferns.
Inverness Botanic Gardens
Don’t miss the Tropical House with its coffee, bananas, and pineapple plants.
St Andrews Botanic Garden
Home to sand dunes, meadows, and meandering grass paths.
Explore Scotland's country parks
Often at the edge of cities and towns, country parks are great public green spaces which offer fun-filled family days out to enjoy the outdoors and experience nature without the need to venture too far. From cycle and walking trails to picnic spaces and fairy gardens, discover Scotland’s country parks.
Craigtoun Country Park
© VisitScotland / Damian Shields
What to expect
In Scotland, there are 40 country parks. Most are equipped with good visitor facilities, including cafés, playgrounds, car parking, toilets and sometimes ranger services, events, and activities. And the best part? They’re often just a short distance away, meaning you can escape urban life even just for an afternoon!
Find garden shows & events
If you’re looking to delve deeper into the mesmerising world of plants, check out an exciting programme of exhibitions and events at Scottish gardens. Grow your horticultural knowledge at garden and flower shows, join a guided walk, or find children’s activities.
Snowdrops at Cambo Gardens
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Unique garden attractions
Find your inner calm at Scotland’s Japanese gardens, let your creativity awaken at sculpture parks and gardens, and don’t miss some of Scotland’s best castle gardens.
The Japanese Garden at Cowden in Dollar, Clackmannanshire
© The Japanese Garden at Cowden
Japanese gardens in Scotland
Go on a Japanese adventure in Scotland. Experience the unique features of Japanese gardens including flowing waters, lakes, hills, islands, reflective stones, and bridges.
Jupiter Artland
Sculpture parks & gardens
Escape to a sculpture park where you can experience art and the landscape seemingly blended. They are an oasis of serenity and inspiration, filled with contemporary art.
Drummond Castle Gardens
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Gardens at castles and historic houses
From one of Europe's most important and impressive formal gardens at Drummond Castle to a garden at the most northerly of Scotland's great houses, Dunrobin Castle, discover splendid displays and outdoor spaces at Scotland’s castles and historic houses.
Scotland's national parks
In Scotland, you’ll find two national parks and they are both home to some of our best wildlife and landscapes. Covering a more extensive area than country parks, national parks are areas of land that are designed for conservation and designated as a protected landscape because of their special qualities. See why Scotland’s national parks are hard to rival.
Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park has more mountains, forests, rivers, lochs, wildlife, friendly villages and distilleries than you can possibly imagine.
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
Discover centuries of history and a beautiful landscape, right on the doorstep of the central cities.
Biospheres & geoparks
Discover areas of outstanding natural beauty that are packed with outdoor adventures, geological wonders, and fascinating history.
The Merrick, the highest summit in south Scotland, in Galloway Forest Park
© Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere
Find out more
Explore a diverse array of native plant species and rare wildlife at Scotland’s biospheres and geoparks.
Accessible parks and gardens
Plan your next visit with these helpful accessibility resources.
Princes Street Gardens
© VisitScotland / Peter Dibdin
Accessibility for all abilities
Scotland has many accessible green spaces you can enjoy exploring. Most of Scotland's parks and gardens have accessible board walks, sometimes with accessible picnic spots. You'll also find that many offer all-terrain mobility scooters and wheelchair hire, and some even offer a range of wheelchair bikes or have mobility golf buggies available most days.
Other things you might like
Scottish forests and woodlands
Trees you can see in Scotland
Countryside breaks in Scotland
Scotland's national parks and natural heritage sites
Historic attractions in Scotland
Where to see Highland cows in Scotland
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