DUNVEGAN CASTLE GARDENS

Dunvegan Castle’s five acres of formal award-winning gardens began life in the 18th century. In stark contrast to the barren moorland and mountains which dominate Skye’s landscape, the castle’s Water Garden, Rose Garden, Walled Garden and woodland walks provide a hidden oasis for an eclectic mix of flowers, exotic plants, specimen trees and shimmering pools fed by waterfalls and streams flowing down to the sea.

After experiencing the Water Garden with its ornate bridges and islands replete with a rich and colourful plant variety, wander through the elegant surroundings of the formal Round Garden featuring an ilex crenata parterre as its centrepiece overlooked by a Monkey Puzzle (Araucaria araucana).

The Walled Garden is well worth a visit. In what was formerly the castle’s vegetable garden, is now a diverse range of plants and flowers that complement the attractive features including a water lily pond, Garden Museum, Memorial Gazebo, a rare 17th century lectern sundial, Larch Pergola, Glass House and the ‘Dunvegan Pebble’, a rotating 2.7 ton Carrara marble sculpture. There is also a herbal border and traditional raised vegetable beds to illustrate the Walled Garden’s original function to provide food for the Chief, his family and clansfolk.

Surrounding the three formal gardens are woodland trails, a specimen rhododendron garden and a magical children’s wildwood play area featuring a willow tunnel and ‘The Bugvegan Insect Hotel’ among other attractions.

A considerable amount of investment in new planting schemes, design features and landscaping works has been made to restore the gardens to their former glory. This Herculean effort was recognised when Dunvegan Castle & Gardens was shortlisted for the prestigious Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award 2023, became a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Partner Garden in 2022, and won Scotland’s RHS Partner Garden that same year. Being accepted into this horticultural pantheon is a glowing testament to the creative vision and funding that has been bestowed upon Dunvegan Castle’s 5 acres of formal and semi-formal gardens since 1978, when the late John MacLeod (29th Chief of Clan MacLeod) decided to follow the example of his ancestors who had tried to create a garden at Dunvegan.

Since then, the present Chief, Hugh MacLeod, and his dedicated team of gardeners continue to develop and enhance the castle gardens for the enjoyment of both local and international visitors. There has been a significant amount of relandscaping work, planting schemes and sympathetic yet innovative design features which have made Dunvegan Castle’s gardens what they are today: a continually evolving and beautiful testament to the commitment, skill and vision of everyone involved over the years. We are proud to have proved the mother of the 23rd Chief wrong when she told Dr Samuel Johnson in 1773 that “there was not and never could be a good garden at Dunvegan”. Our mission is to exceed our visitors’ expectations by preserving and sharing this unique horticultural legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Dogs are welcome in the castle gardens, but they must always be kept on a lead. Please clear up any mess and deposit in the bins provided.

Dunvegan (19a)
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