Friday, 27 January 2012

Dunrobin Castle Gardens

Dunrobin Castle
I had never been to Dunrobin Castle before my trip home to Scotland last year, but since it's a pleasant driving distance from my brother's house, on a picturesque route, I put that to rights.  It is a magnificent property, looking very much like a Fairytale Castle or French Chateau.   The gardens are magnificent, and the views from the Castle, across formal beds and topiary, and out to the sea, are quite beautiful.  When I was a kid, I always misheard the name, and thought it was "Done Roamin' Castle", and if I had the where-with-all to own this little pile, I would certainly be done roaming for good.  I would become a hermit and never leave the place....although on second thoughts, if I had the kind of fortune required to own this place, I would surely need the odd trip to Monaco, or Capri, or Biarritz, just to make sure I didn't start to take things for granted at home!



The elevation of the house above the gardens allows for great views of the formal beds


You half expect Rapunzel to let her hair down from these turrets




The damp weather in these sheltered, northerly climes clearly suits Gunnera - the leaves are immense!



A charming path down to the beach

The potager is highly productive and decorative.  Love the terracotta forcing pots for the rhubarb.






Potted trees are a feature of the gardens

Another feature are these rose pyramids.  We had missed their bloom peak, but these structures still made a good impact 

Low profile apple and pear espaliers formed low hedges.  Their bark was fuzzy with lichen.





Every crack in the ancient stone staircase was bursting with self-sown plants - all looking perfectly happy in their cramped quarters.

What perfectly crisp hedge lines!

7 comments:

  1. Oh My Goodness !
    What a gorgeous castle : ) I would love to roam around (all by myself of course .. no one to bother me while I soaked up the adventure !)
    You took wonderful pictures .. gives me a sense of being there , thank you !
    So are you in Canada long term or university ?
    Joy : )
    What is your blog name about and do you mind if I pick it up to list on my blog .. I try to collect Canadian bloggers, haha

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  2. PS ... sorry, you are going to think I am a complete idiot (no parts missing)
    I just saw your blog in full format and read the quick bio (red faced) I am in 5b here in Kingston too .. half my garden was clay based .. the other sand .. so I have soil issues too ? LOL
    Joy

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  3. Hi Joy, thanks for your kind words about my blog - I'm really pleased to hear that you felt like you'd been on a trip to the castle as a result! It is very well worth a visit. I've been in Toronto for nearly 17 years now, although I did originally come for a what I thought would be a couple of years at U of T!
    I would be delighted if you listed my blog on yours, and I will do likewise with CanadianGardenJoy. Hope your garden is surviving this unusual winter. Every time we get a blast of cold after mild weather, without any snow to protect, I worry about what won't make it until spring! Oh well....it will make room for some new plants!

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  4. I have always wanted to visit Scotland, and these images of all the beauty in those gardens make the urge grow stronger. You show it off well. I like your blog, and so I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award in my last post. Enjoy!

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    1. Thank you so much for your encouraging feedback, and for the nomination. I will follow the guidance on your blog in follow-up to the nomination. I look forward to exploring your blog in more detail shortly.

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  5. Your pictures show Dunrobin castle and grounds to their very best. It is many decades since I paid a visit, isn't it so very easy to take what we have for granted.

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  6. What beautiful images... my ancestors come from Scotland. My dream is to go there someday.

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