Ardmaddy Castle Gardens

This was somewhere new for me and a rather serendipitous find which saved a disappointing day. 

For the second day of our holiday we headed out of the immediate Tayvallich area, 20 or so miles north with the intent of visiting the National Trust for Scotland's Arduaine Gardens (I was looking for something to do outdoors but nothing too strenuous after the previous day) but there was a hindrance to our plans. When we parked up we discovered that a large tree was causing concern and the garden entrance closed for safety of the public. Ho hum. 

While we were wondering what to do with the day we decided to have lunch at the Loch Melfort hotel next door (persuaded by the wonderful view from its terrace), and just inside the door I spotted a poster for Ardmaddy Castle Gardens, open through the National Garden Scheme during summer for charity. The day was saved!

The castle (more of a stately home really these days) sits on a knoll, facing south west out to sea, with the gardens sheltered behind.

September probably isn't the best time of year to visit a new garden. We'd already had some chilly nights in the Midlands, and I'm sure Scotland must have been colder. But there was still plenty to see.

Immediately behind the castle lies the walled garden - a mix of vegetable and flower beds, with a long herbaceous border running the length of one side.

Leaving through a small gate, a path leads over a stream and on into woodland.

We headed not along the track shown here but uphill, though fortunately not too much, before looping back down to the stream with its ornate bridge.

On the opposite side of the water, another path led uphill promising a view of the castle, but I ignored this and let my husband explore alone while I sat on the parapet and watched the water below.

When I joined him coming back downhill I realised I'd been sitting not far away from the water garden with lily ponds and a view back to the castle; a lovely restful spot so I sat there for a while as well before heading back out through the walled garden.

It was disappointing to have not been able to visit Arduaine, but this unexpected garden definitely made up for it.