This weekend there’s a chance to walk in the footsteps of history as, for the first time, the gardens of Fasque House Estate open to the public under the Scotland’s Gardens scheme.
The exquisite country estate has at its heart, a baronial mansion, Fasque House, built by Sir Alexander Ramsay of Balmain in 1809.
It was bought in 1829 by John Gladstone – the father of Britain’s longest-serving prime minister William Gladstone – a Leith-born grain merchant who made his fortune in Liverpool trading in corn with the United States and in cotton in Brazil.
William, the future Liberal Party leader and four-times prime minister, spent much of his childhood at Fasque and is said to have loved it, visiting as regularly as he could, often walking the 15 miles from Banchory railway station to the estate.
Recognised as one of the great Georgian country mansions of Scotland, it was in the Gladstone family for 180 years.
In 2010, new owners purchased the property and the house has been restored while the grounds are being brought back to their former glory.
Landscaping of the west garden started in 2013 and a sunken terrace garden has been created containing a formal pond.
An avenue of cherry trees now leads to this striking garden with its mixture of formal and herbaceous plants. Peonies, penstemons, irises and roses abound.
A terrace with cleverly planted yew, clematis and roses decorates the front of the house.
Plans have been drawn up to re-establish the spectacular walled garden.
In the meantime the formal ponds within the garden have been restored as has the apple store and a glorious white garden has been created by this fascinating building.
The surrounding woodlands contain some magnificent veteran trees – oak, beech, grand firs and Douglas firs which can be enjoyed by visitors.
The house and grounds are now a popular exclusive wedding and events venue.
In addition the cottages within and around the walled garden are now restored and are available as luxury holiday lets.
Fact Box
Where: Fasque House, Fettercairn, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire AB30 1DN.
When: Sunday, September 7 from 1-5pm.
Admission: £4, children free.
Extras: Homemade teas, wheelchair friendly gardens, dogs on leads allowed.
Directions: Off B974 Cairn O’Mount road 1
miles north of Fettercairn.
Charity: Fettercairn Community Allotments and Home Start Stonehaven both receive 20%, the net remaining to Scotland’s Gardens beneficiary charities.