BIG Five Gardens & Designed Landscapes in Highland Perthshire

Cluny House Gardens

This 2.4ha Himalayan/North American woodland garden overlooking the scenic Strathtay valley, was planted and developed by the late Bobby and Betty Masterton from 1950. A feature of Cluny is its natural appearance, with many woodland plants regenerating and expanding freely beneath a canopy of rhododendrons, acers, rowans and birches. Giant Himalayan lilies, blue poppies, exotic arisaemas, skunk cabbages and copious numbers of candelabra primulas grow in profusion in the marvelous leaf litter and acidic soil. No chemicals are used in the garden and weeding is carried out by hand to avoid disturbing interesting seedlings and allowing some native plants their place in the garden.

The garden is a haven for birds such as Long-tailed Tits, Siskins, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Blackbirds, Robins, Woodpeckers, Jackdaws, Starlings & Treecreepers. Buzzards & Sparrowhawks Ravens can be seen overhead and visit the garden sometimes. an abundance of bumble bees is normal within the garden however this is weather dependant. Resident Red Squirrels are very much at home in the garden, actively feeding near the car park in the morning, they enjoy playing and running around the trees!

Blair Castle

For over 700 years, Blair Castle has acted as gatekeeper to the Scottish Highlands. Today, its turbulent history and its strategic role is in the past - yet, as one of Scotland's best-known visitor attractions, it still introduces many thousands of visitors to the Highlands each year.

Its setting in the Strath of Garry remains magnificent and its white, turreted facade seems to sum up all that people expect of a traditional Scottish castle.

Castle Tour and Gardens

Blair Castle is the seat of the Dukes of Atholl and home to the Atholl Highlanders, Britain's only private army. With some thirty treasure-filled rooms to see, extensive parklands - including Diana's Grove and the restored Hercules Garden - woodland and riverside walks, restaurant and gift shop, Blair Castle makes an ideal day out for all the family.

Entertaining and Activities

Blair Castle makes an ideal venue for Highland Balls, dinners and corporate entertaining. Shooting, fishing and pony trekking is available on the estate.

Activities inside Blair Castle for Children

Take part in the children's Castle Detectives Challenge, use the picture clues provided. Children have to hunt down castle treasures and work out the answers. Parents may also be allowed to join in! The activity sheet is collected in the Castle Entrance Hall and takes children around the castle room by room. There is a children's colouring area in our Treasure Room where children can get creative and their parents can concentrate on the vast array of exhibits.

Click here for a list of Blair Castle events

Click here for a list of Atholl Estates Rangers events

The Hermitage

Follow in the footsteps of notable visitors of the past including Wordsworth, Mendelssohn and Turner as you wander around this magnificent designed landscape with it's dramatic natural features.

Discover Ossian's Hall, a folly overlooking the Black Linn Falls. Refurbished in 2007 with sliding panels, secret handle and mirrored artwork to recreate the illusions of shock, surprise and amazement, the aims of its original design.

Marvel at the massive stand of Douglas Fir trees, including one of the tallest trees in the country. Enjoy the wildlife as you walk along the river Braan, with the dark foaming pool and the spectacular Black Linn waterfall. Let your imagination run wild as you admire the Totem pole, carved from a Douglas Fir tree by a native Canadian from the Squamish Nation.

Extend your walk by linking in to one of the trails of the Dunkeld walks network.

Gallery Images: © Copyright Deirdre O'Neill & Mike Pennington and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Bolfracks Estate

Bolfracks Estate is a 4,000 acre privately owned family estate surrounded by the glorious arena of highland Perthshire.

Bolfracks House has very special gardens, which are an oasis of peace and colour with an impressive collection of rare and unusual plants. The garden is open to the public from the 1st of April through to 31st October and provides excellent views over the Tay valley.

There is no record of exactly when the gardens at Bolfracks were first created, although a map dating from 1767 shows the gardens as they are currently to be found. Over time the garden has been largely redesigned and replanted. Apart from the walled garden there is also a less formal wooded garden with a burn. A large collection of ericaceous plants including rhododendron, predominantly dwarf species and hybrids, azaleas, daphnes, heaths, phyllodoces, polygolas etc. The summerhouse was built in about 1930 for Mr Hutchinson and his brother and sisters as children.

The garden contains a very extensive collection of trees, shrubs, bulbs and perennials. The family mausoleum in the burial ground contains the tombs of two members of the Menzies family and their wives, who originally developed the garden. The property passed out of the hands of the Menzies in 1806.

The combination of self-catering accommodation, outdoor activities and highland hospitality makes Bolfracks Estate the perfect choice for a sporting break, corporate day out or simply a family holiday. Walking, clay shooting, stalking and fishing are just some of the activities available to visitors.