If you are on the lookout for a colourful day out with the family, then one Highland garden will fit the bill nicely. The appropriately named, Lookout Garden, is within the hamlet of Kilmuir in the Black Isle, which faces south on the shore of the Moray Firth and is well sheltered by the hills to the north.
The award-winning garden is approximately three quarters of an acre and slopes steeply upwards from the house. Work began here years ago to transform what was an overgrown wilderness into a garden. It has evolved during this time say the owners, Penny and David Veitch.
Mrs Veitch said: “We have tried to develop various themes in keeping with the garden’s steep slope and the panoramic view of the Firth. There is a small sheltered courtyard, raised bed vegetable area, pretty cottage garden, scree and rock garden, rose arbour, rhododendrons, flowering shrubs, bamboos, trees, lily pond with waterside plants and further waterfalls and small ponds.
“Due to the slope of the garden, various terraces with stone step access had to be constructed and we inform visitors that it is only for the sure-footed. We have tried to introduce the more unusual plants together with the old favourites to create a garden of interest for all tastes.”
The couple first opened their garden to the public through the Scotland’s Gardens scheme in 2012 and have continued to do so each year, much to the delight of many visitors.
“We have been overwhelmed by the number of visitors who have attended over the past three years and intend to continue this year and hope everyone has as much pleasure viewing our garden as we have in developing it and continue to do so,” said Mr Veitch.
“We look forward to welcoming you to our garden in the Highlands.”
The Lookout is in Kilmuir, North Kessock on the Black Isle and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from May 1 to August 31 from noon until 4pm. It is also open by arrangement on request (01463 731489). Admission costs £3 for adults with under 16s going free. Extras include homemade teas, a studio with landscape pictures for sale, and a plant stall. Well behaved dogs on a lead will be welcomed.
Directions: From Inverness, take the North Kessock left turn from A9 and third left at roundabout to go through underpass then sharp left onto Kilmuir road. From Tore – take slip road for North Kessock and then immediately right for Kilmuir. Follow signs for Kilmuir (three miles) until you reach the shore. The Lookout is near the far end of the village with a large palm tree on the grass at the front.
Donations from the garden open days will go to Alzheimer’s Scotland and Scotland’s Gardens beneficiary charities.