“There are few places in my life that I’ve found more ruggedly beautiful than the Highlands of Scotland. The place is magical – it’s so far north, so remote, that sometimes it feels like you’ve left this world and gone to another.” – Julia London
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Set on the west coast of Scotland, surrounded by the most stunning scenery I have ever seen, with the Isle of Mull in its sights, the sound of running water wherever you go; this is ‘Heaven on earth’. This magical place that has a feel to it, that I have never felt before or am unlikely to again, this is Ardtornish House and Garden.
I had the absolute pleasure and honour to work there as the Head Gardener for approximately 18 months. Unfortunately, and because of family issues, we had to head back down south. It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make, and if it was not for the family problems, it’s one I would not have made.
There is so much to Ardtornish – too much for one blog post. Steeped in history, surrounded by beauty and full of surprises, this is not a should visit, but a must visit.
This is a post about being in the present as you walk round, the garden telling you of its history as you walk through.
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The house sits in a garden of approximately 26 acres, located on the Ardtornish Estate. The main view is of Loch Aline and – if the weather is playing ball – you can see the Isle of Mull in the distance. Between the garden and Loch Aline, is a single track road which leads you into the heart of the estate. Sitting around the garden and on the edge of the loch, are several holiday cottages circled by the mountains and forests.
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The estate is also home to a kitchen garden, but it is within the boundary of the main garden where the magic really begins; a garden that tells you its story without words, but a magic aura that excites your senses.
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The lower lawn is at sea level, with the back of the garden sitting approximately 250 ft above sea level – this, I measured one day. But before reaching the rear of the garden several winding paths take you into many secret areas, passing and crossing several burns along the way. The sound of running water can be heard all over, not only from the burns, but also the mini waterfalls and from the Rannoch river that skirts a section of the garden, with the River Aline flowing just northwest.
It’s a garden of 25 acres crammed of wonder.
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Walking through the garden, you are surrounded by several different types of Rhododendrons, Azalea’s, Eucryphia’s, and many other little gems, all very cleverly set out and planted amongst various species of mature trees.
From time to time, the garden suddenly opens up to some truly spectacular views. Views that are works of art, they could be framed paintings sitting on your wall at home.
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The garden unfurls with lawns close to and around the house, revealing these spectacular views.
On and around the house you have several different types of climbers, including Roses and a beautiful Schizophragma hydrangeoides, which brought a big smile to my face when I first saw it as I hadn’t seen one since my days at Trinity College.
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Many a time from the house lawn, you often saw white tail eagles circling in the skies above. Although, when watching the largest flying bird in the UK, you were often being attacked by the smallest flying critter … the dreaded little midges. Tad annoying to say the least, the midges didn’t spoil the magic or beauty of the place.
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As I mentioned earlier, this is only a snapshot of what Ardtornish is all about. There is so much to the garden, the house, the estate, and the surrounding area, it is totally impossible to fit it all in one post.
So there may be another to come on this truly amazing place ….
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“Tha mo chridhe anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd”