Gardens

Dunkeld Nurseries

Dunkeld Nurseries offers a wide range of hanging baskets, tubs and containers, plants and compost.

Birnam Arts Centre

A fantastic multi-purpose venue, there's always something going on! - Live music, theatre & comedy from world class performers. The Foyer Cafeserves delicious cakes, coffees and ice creams as well as a varied lunch menu made using fresh local produce. Purchase a unique gift for a loved one at Potter's Junction Gift Shop and entertain the kids in the Beatrix Potter Exhibition whilst learning about the famous author's links to the area.

The centre is also widely used by Dunkeld & Birnam's many community groups, regularly hosts conferences of up to 150 delegates, serves as an ideal wedding venue for couples seeking a unique wedding experience.

Look out for arts and crafts workshops over the holiday period for kids and adults alike.

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

Wildlife Garden

The Wildlife Garden was officially opened in June 1999. Work to develop the garden has continued over the past eleven years. The pond has undergone development and the efforts have been rewarded by the visit of a large Red Damsel Fly. Many Buddleia bushes, rescued from a derelict site have been planted in the Butterfly border, along with lupins. These will attract various butterflies and insects.

The provision of winter feed has greatly increased bird-life within the garden, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes. Great Tits and now Siskins have been present along with a pair of Mallards who regularly visit to devour the pond weed. The raised border provides a very colourful spring show due to self seeding. The wildlife garden now provides a very colourful and interesting area throughout the year from the first flowering of the snowdrops and wild daffodils until well after the early frosts of October and November.

The compost heap, fed wholly from the pruning and mowing within the garden is now providing compost for use in the more formal plantings within the Pitlochry In Bloom scheme. A miniature "Ben Lawers" was designed in memory of Meg Dunn who was the inspiration behind the Wildlife garden.

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!