Kildrummy Castle Gardens have been described as a hidden treasure and a horticultural masterpiece.
They are unusual because of their setting – part natural and part man-made – and a fine example of how a landscape can be transformed into a garden of peace and tranquillity.
The castle ruin, set on a mound, and the Castle Hotel, perched on the face of the quarry, both make a dramatic backdrop to the garden.
On arrival, the visitor crosses a bridge that soars high over the pools below.
The bridge provides a bird’s-eye view of the quarry garden and the water garden, but the bridge is even more stunning from within the garden, where it frames the ponds and waterfalls.
The quarry garden has a grassy area and a large rockery set under the face of the quarry.
It is well worth climbing the steps opposite the little museum to sit on the bench overlooking the quarry garden. It is a sun-trap on a sunny day.
As well as the water garden and the quarry garden, visitors can explore a network of paths along the back den to the castle ruins, maintained by Historic Scotland, and play area, through the woodland, around the former walled garden and nursery, and up the hill towards the hotel before descending back into the quarry again.
Kildrummy is regarded as a spring garden with its rhododendrons, azaleas, primulas and meconopsis. But there is something to see in every season, from the spathes of yellow Lysichiton americanum fringing the pools in March/April to the spectacular colours in autumn.
The beautiful condition of the wheelchair-friendly gardens is largely due to the hard work of head gardener Alastair Laing, who has worked there for more than 40 years.
Where: Kildrummy Castle gardens are on the A97, 10 miles from Alford, and 17 miles from Huntly.
When: The gardens are open daily from noon-5pm between April 1 and the end of October. During the winter months, entrance to the gardens is via Kildrummy Castle Hotel.
Admission: The ticket office, tearoom and toilets are at the entrance, where paintings by Mary McMurtrie and garden-grown plants can be purchased. Admission £4.50, concessions £4.
Special days: Sunday, September 29, from 10am-5pm when there will be a plant stall, refreshments and a children’s play area. Proceeds from this day go to the Aberdeen branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the rest of Scotland’s Gardens beneficiaries.
Contact: 01975 571203 and www.kildrummy-castle-gardens.co.uk