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Visiting the Gardens of Castle Campbell Scotland

John Knox’s Pulpit, Roses, Rhododendron and Dollar Glen Forest

Oct 7, 2008

Rose in Castle Campbell Gardens, Susan Morris

Visitors making their tour of Scottish castles can view the work of Historic Scotland gardeners at Castle Campbell Gardens overlooking Dollar Glen.

Eating outdoors on manicured lawns with herbaceous borders, rhododendron and roses next to a fifteenth century Scottish fortress castle will be special to visitors to Scotland.

On an autumnal day in October, the colours of heathers on the Ochil Hills, the nearby moor land and the deep greens of the tree-lined gorge of Dollar Glen can be relished with refreshments. Walks around the Castle Campbell Gardens in wintertime will be brisker with some foliage on show. Summer will bring out the flowers, the bees and ice creams.

Castle Campbell Gardens Scotland

Historic Scotland lists ‘John Knox’s Pulpit’, linked to his preaching in 1556, which stands in the Castle Campbell Gardens as one of the highlights of a visit to the Scottish Castle. There is no spoiler photograph.

The Castle Campbell Gardens are open to public and included in the admission charges for Castle Campbell. Castle Campbell Gardens are organised into four distinct areas:

From the ruined Hall and the loggia, the Mediterranean style open arcade in the Castle Campbell east range, three lawns with borders in a terrace down the Scottish hillside can be seen.
On exit from the main courtyard by the ticket office there is another grassy area bounded by stone walls, rhododendron and many horticultural favourites for planting in Scottish castle gardens.

Taking the inset Scottish stone path down the hill leads to something visitors will find interesting. Nearby a deep gorge will be as much of a surprise as the ‘Prisoner’s Pit’ inside Castle Campbell. The stone pathway leads also to the lowest lawn which is surrounded by a well established forest and relatively smaller rhododendron trees. This lawn has several picnic tables set out.

Returning on the stone path to the Castle Campbell courtyard, entrance to the top two terraces can be made from the Castle. Wooden garden seats are placed in front of a border which includes a score of varieties of rose including climbing rose against the Castle Campbell stone walls. On a sunny day the wall tops of the terrace, above the culinary herbs garden, offer more seating to eat and drink while absorbing the views of central Scotland.

Some plants at Castle Campbell Gardens have plant labelling such as Iris, Sedum, Helleborus, Lavender, Rosemary. This is not as robust as a botanic garden plant labelling system and can act an introduction to plants and insects for children. The inclusion of a manufactured Ladybird Lodge from birch wood is a practical inclusion and educational prop for conversations about nature.

Nature, Wildlife and Landscape Photography at Castle Campbell and Gardens Scotland

Castle Campbell and Gardens is ideal for nature, wildlife and landscape photography. From the rhododendron, ash and oak tree lined path to the castle entrance, the Scottish castle gardens planting schemes against old stone walls to the dramatic setting of Castle Campbell and Gardens overlooking Dollar Glen, visitors to Scotland will not be disappointed at the opportunities for photography. Deer, buzzards and other Scottish wildlife may be seen when walking in Dollar Glen.

Campbell Castle and Gardens Admission

For visitors without a picnic lunch, hot or cold drinks, refreshments are available to buy in the Castle Campbell Tearoom. Castle Campbell and Gardens, Dollar, Scotland FK14 7PP, has October, Winter and Summer opening hours.

The copyright of the article Visiting the Gardens of Castle Campbell Scotland in Castles/Forts/Cathedrals Tours is owned by Susan Morris. Permission to republish Visiting the Gardens of Castle Campbell Scotland in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.