Marvel at the alluring new garden surrounding a romantic castle, nestled on the shores of Loch Ness
Aldourie Castle, nestled on the shores of Loch Ness, has recently unveiled two breathtaking new gardens, designed by the renowned landscape architect, Tom Stuart-Smith. These gardens, a formal garden and a walled garden, beautifully complement the castle's romantic and historic setting [1][3].
Design ------------------
Tom Stuart-Smith's design philosophy blends naturalistic planting with classical formal elements, creating a harmonious balance between structure and spontaneity [1]. The walled garden, a traditional garden type, provides an intimate and private atmosphere, fitting perfectly with Aldourie Castle's historic charm.
In the walled garden, visitors will find low domes of clipped yew, occasional striking shrubs, and repeated use of perennials and grasses, offering structure and symmetry [1]. The formal garden, on the other hand, showcases a more formal setting that complements the Scots baronial architecture of the castle [3].
Plants ------------------
While specific plant species for Aldourie’s new gardens are not detailed, Stuart-Smith is known for naturalistic planting schemes using late spring and early summer perennials and shrubs that provide seasonal interest and texture [3]. Late spring and early summer plants often include a combination of herbaceous perennials, flowering shrubs, and climbers ideal for walled gardens [3].
Care ------------------
Walled and formal gardens require regular maintenance to keep their structural elements such as hedges and pathways neat. Seasonal care includes pruning, deadheading, feeding, and protecting plants from pests and harsh weather [3]. Given the Scottish climate, care tasks in the gardens at Aldourie Castle would involve ensuring protection against strong winds and cold snaps, especially for tender plants within the walls. Irrigation and soil management would also be important to maintain plant health through the growing season [3].
Summary ------------------
Aldourie Castle’s new formal and walled gardens, masterminded by Tom Stuart-Smith, combine romantic and traditional garden elements to enhance the historic castle setting by Loch Ness. The gardens require careful seasonal maintenance to preserve their beauty and function in the Scottish climate [1][3].
Elliott Forsyth, head gardener at Aldourie Castle, appreciates the new gardens as a real education and a delight for the garden team [1]. Hakonechloa macra, Eutrochium maculatum 'Riesenschirm', Geranium 'Nimbus', Veronicastrum virginicum 'Erica', and other plants are prominent in the gardens [1].
The challenge in constructing the gardens was less the cold than the wet winters and periods of extended drought during the summer [3]. In the past ten years, two gardens by Tom Stuart-Smith have been added to Aldourie Castle, enhancing and transforming its traditional highlights [3].
The West Garden, located between castle and loch, now features two large parterres flanking a central lawn, animated with beech topiary shaped in theatrical forms, and criss-crossed by paths through contemporary-style naturalistic planting [3]. Repeat planting of a particular palette of plants is a notable feature in both the West and Walled Gardens [3].
Stipa calamagrostis, molinias, persicarias, veronicastrums, Ligusticopsis wallichiana, Lythrum virgatum 'Dropmore Purple', and Geranium wallichianum Havana Blues are among the grasses and perennials in the gardens [3]. Despite its northerly latitude, Aldourie's sheltered location on the edge of Loch Ness gives it a surprisingly mild microclimate [3].
Aldourie Castle offers holiday rentals of both the castle and cottages for visitors. For more information, visit aldourie.scot [3].
- Tom Stuart-Smith's design philosophy incorporates naturalistic planting with classical formal elements, creating a harmonious blend of nature and structure in the new gardens at Aldourie Castle.
- In the walled garden, visitors will find low domes of clipped yew, occasional striking shrubs, and repeated use of perennials and grasses, providing structure and symmetrical beauty.
- The formal garden, with its more formal setting, complements the Scots baronial architecture of Aldourie Castle, contributing to the romantic and historic feel of the castle.
- Regular maintenance is essential for the walled and formal gardens at Aldourie Castle to preserve their structural elements and protect the plants from the Scottish climate's harsh weather conditions.
