Aberfeldy Gardens

Dragonflies & Damselflies

Below you will find an enlightening guide about Dragonflies and Damselflies which was put together by Scottish Natural Heritage, covering everything from threats and conservation, to how you can help monitor these beautiful insects.

If you go out & about in Highland Perthshire make sure you take your camera. Remember to watch your feet - dragonflies and damselflies can often be seen on stones along paths by lochs and rivers.

Image Gallery: © Copyright & licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

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!

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.