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Big fun at Bighouse

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Enclosed by water on three sides, Bighouse Lodge sits in a spectacular location where the waters of the River Halladale mingle with the sea.

Built in 1765, the lodge is a former home of the chief of the Clan Mackay.

The two-acre walled garden was laid out in 1715.

Gardening in the far north of Scotland is not easy and the owners have used plants that adapt to the challenges of salt spray, high winds, extreme cold and the occasional summer drought.

For this reason, they have created a contemporary garden design which is not fussy or traditional and works well with the stainless-steel sculptures by Jason Sweeney which are positioned through the garden.

The central lawn features a sunken garden, running west to east, and leads to a Grade A listed bothy.

In this garden is a sculpture of a leaping salmon by Jason Sweeney.

On either side of the lawn, there is shrub planting with large wooden structures which reflect the design of the body and create height for the Ragusa roses.

A privet hedge runs behind the shrubs, creating separation of well-defined paths before the rectangular 14ft-high wall, and leads to four gardens (two either side) which depict life on this Highland estate.

Walking anti-clockwise, the first of these gardens in the south-west corner represents the River Halladale.

The water feature is flanked by four squares, each with four Highland trees, to create height around the river base stones.

Moving on from that garden, there is a north-south axis which bisects the sunken garden.

The southern portion of the axis is a lupin garden.

Continuing the perimeter walk, the second garden features driftwood and evidence of Caledonian pine roots, again with Highland trees depicting the forest.

There, a stag is looking around a vertical stump. As the viewer progresses, there are a number of smaller beds bisected with various stones.
The border below the garden wall on the eastern side consists of large shrubs with a variety of grasses coming out of the many coloured stone and gravel areas.

Driftwood is also featured in this area to reflect the seaside theme.

Moving on, there’s a rockery flanking the bothy. The path continues along the eastern wall and exposes the next garden, which represents the meadow and pastureland in the Strath with wild flowers, trees and a sculpture depicting grouse in flight.

Skirting this garden, and turning westwards, the blue garden creates a strong statement of colour.

This leads to a secret garden path with mature shrubs.

A Michaelmas daisy bed nestles under a converted cold frame and Caithness stone seat, from where you get a good view of the flame garden where red poppies and yellow lilies create warmth. This is the axis which bisects the sunken garden from the north. In the foreground, there is a sculpture of a suspended open elm heart.

The walk leads to a small rose garden to the right, while, to the left, a final garden has a series of large metamorphosed rocked bordered by different species of heather under the watchful eye of a sculptured eagle.

There’s also a fuchsia garden adjacent to a picnic area shaded by a large witch elm. The path now leads back to the entrance.

Fact box

Where: Bighouse Lodge, by Melvich, Caithness KW14 7YJ.

When: Sunday, July 6, 2.30-5.30pm.

Cost: £4 for adults, under-12s go free. Money will
be donated to the RNLI (40%) and to Scotland’s Gardens beneficiary charities.

Contact: www.bighouseestate.com