Christmas is a great time to visit garden centres to browse trees, wreaths and more. There’s a range of places in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands to head along to and soak up the festive cheer!
Kirktown Garden Centre & Restaurant, Stonehaven
Whether you are looking for some great stocking fillers, tasty treats from the foodhall, decorations, a Poinsettia, or a Christmas tree, there’s plenty to browse at Kirktown Garden Centre.
And the garden centre is also running a Santa’s Grotto, with a special Christmas Grotto menu in its restaurant during the evenings the Grotto is running. The restaurant is also running a Christmas menu from December 2 to 23. Bookings must be made in advance – go to the Kirktown Garden Centre & Restaurant Facebook page for more information.
Dobbies Garden Centre, Aberdeen
Christmas trees and wreaths, decorations, hampers and fragrances can be found at this store on the Lang Stracht.
Picking a tree is a big decision – and some might say one of the best parts of Christmas! The store has artifical and real trees to choose from.
Dobbies is also running a range of Christmas events over the next while, including festive afternoon tea, Breakfast with Santa, Santa’s Grotto, and Santa Paws – a chance for your dog to meet Santa! Booking details are available here.
Mains of Drum Garden Centre, near Drumoak
Set in landscaped grounds Mains of Drum Garden Centre is a much-loved shopping destination on Royal Deeside which has everything for the garden plus an award-winning gift department and restaurant.
It has a large range of real and artificial trees, lights and Christmas decorations. And if you are hungry after all that shopping then why not stop by the restaurant?
The Greenhouse, Aberdeen
The Greenhouse in Bon Accord Centre is thought to be the only UK garden centre inside a shopping centre.
It provides a change of pace for shoppers and this year they can find a range of decorations, lighting and Christmas trees in-store.
Inverurie Garden Centre
Inverurie Garden Centre is a shoppers’ and diners’ paradise. Head along to the family-run store to browse its range of decorations and trees.
This year it also has a special postbox to post letters to Santa – before December 15. There’s also wreath making workshops which have been taking place. Go to ticketsource.co.uk or Inverurie Garden Centre’s Facebook page for more information about booking and availability.
Kellockbank Garden Centre, Insch
Just off the A96, this store has a range of Christmas hampers, food, wreaths, garlands for you to check out. And though it may be chilly outside, you can warm up with a bowl of soup in its restaurant.
Kellockbank Garden Centre is also running a Breakfast with Santa event on selected dates, though availability is now limited. Go to the garden centre’s Facebook page for information on how to book.
Simpsons Garden Centres, Inverness and Mintlaw
Both Simpsons Garden Centre sites have Christmas shops with everything to make a home look festive.
There is plenty of gift inspiration plus a great selection of treats in the foodhall. The restaurant also has a festive afternoon tea from December 2 to 31 – check the website for booking details.
Both venues have festive events – in Inverness there’s Breakfast with Santa, and a VR Sleigh and Santa Experience, while in Mintlaw there is a Grotto and Snow Globe. For booking information go to the website.
Howdens Garden Centre, Inverness
Howdens aims to create a festive season to remember, with a Christmas shop for decorations and gifts, while the restaurant has a Christmas lunch menu as well as a festive afternoon tea.
There’s some Christmas events running such as a wreath making workshop, Breakfast with Santa and a Christmas shopping event. Find more information and booking details here.
Munro’s Nurseries & Coffee Shop, North Kessock
This family-run nursery has a Christmas shop with decorations, trees and plenty of festive food.
Munro’s Nurseries and Coffee Shop, which has won trade awards for its Christmas displays and festive catering, has been holding wreath making classes, with various dates available until December 15. Go to Munro’s Nurseries Facebook page to find out more.
Christies of Fochabers Garden Centre
This venue has a restaurant, foodhall and has a range of gifts, cards and clothing to browse.
It is dog friendly, except for the indoor restaurant and play garden. It also has a stunning range of Christmas trees to browse from.
Raemoir Garden Centre, Banchory
Raemoir Garden Centre’s Christmas departments are now open, with a range of trees, lighting and more to see, while the foodhall has plenty of goodies as well.
The restaurant is serving up a Christmas menu with two courses for £32 or 3 for £38. The festive lunches will run from December 4 to 24. To book call 01330 826949.
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