Spring in the Scottish Borders

As the clocks went forward and we entered British Summertime 'twas a typical British Bank Holiday weatherwise - some sun interspersed with bucket loads of rain :-/ Still did provide some wonderful natural phenomenon - 

double rainbow over Jeans back garden

Easter Friday was by far the best day so took ourselves off up the Solway coast, through Dumfries and Galloway, firstly to the Logan Botanical Garden. Set at the south western tip of Scotland it benefits from the warming influence and mild conditions created by the Gulf Stream it hosts over 5,000 different trees, shrubs, herbs and bulbs.

rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolia were in full bloom here
yet elsewhere they are still in bud

yep, palm trees in Scotland :) centerpiece one of the oldest known trees
with only around 100 or so growing in the wild

amazing rebirth of giant wild rhubarb

Then onto Castle Kennedy Gardens, inspired by the 2nd Earl of Stair in the early 19th century. The gardens contain  terraces and land sculptures bounded on one side by the White Loch and on the other the Black Loch. Through the centre, leading from the castle ruin to the stately home is a 150 yo Monkey Puzzle Avenue.

entrance to the
walled garden

in season the pond is a carpet
of Victorian water lilies

Finished off the long weekend with a walk round Talkin Tarn, not far from Carlisle. Arrived in sunshine, got half way round and the heavens opened - we got drenched - then drove back through blue skies and sunshine again!

Ah yes - a typical British Bank Holiday !

Carlisle Capers

Just back from the, unusually warm, north visiting Sis. There was much gardening and fencing (not the epee/foil sort :) But there was time to fit in a number of garden visits ...

High Head Sculpture Park
Located just outside Penrith this sculpture trail, featuring the works of local artist Jonathan Stamper, is a popular venue for Cumbrian contemporary artist to display their works. Still some work in progress there are hillside trails and a river runs through it. There are unusual sculptures and a life size stone circle. High Head also boasts a health spa, holiday cottages and an accessible cafe (try the pumpkin soup - amazing!)

Castle Kennedy

Castle Kennedy is part of the Stair estate containing Lochinch Castle, the remains of Castle Kennedy, both the White and Black Lochs, very large monkey puzzles n wild rhubarb and perhaps the most stunning lilly pond covering what seems like quarter of an acre.

 Glenwhan Gardens

Situated on a hilltop in Dunragit it is, perhaps, one of Scotlands newest - yet expansive and picturesque - gardens and heathland walks. 300 feet above sea level it overlooks Luce Bay, the Mull of Galoway and, on a clear day, the Isle of Man. Due to the close proximity of the sea and the warming gulf stream a wide variety of plants flourish here. The garden is built around small lochans created by damming boggy areas of the site.