Top 5 Botanical Gardens in Scotland

Drummond Castle Gardens, Crieff PH7 4HN, United Kingdom

“A must-see when in the area. The garden is a vast display of local and exotic trees and plants, located at the bottom of the Drummond Castle, which is a gem itself. There is a lovely wee van selling coffee and nibbles to keep you energised for the long walks amongst the greenery.”

Princes St, Edinburgh EH1 2EU, United Kingdom

“Don't miss it if you're in the area! The view of Edinburgh castle from Ross fountain is amazing. Took some cool shots📸 …”

Parking lot, Dirleton, North Berwick EH39 5ER, United Kingdom

“Recently bought the Historic Scotland membership card and my nephews decided they wanted to visit Dirleton Castle on the bank holiday so that what we done. The ladies in the shop were very friendly and informative which was nice. The grounds and garden are very well kept. Some bits of the Castle were closed off due to needing some restoration but we pretty much had the place to ourselves so the boys loved getting to explore - especially down in the prisoner area. We took lots of photo's and maybe even captured a couple of 'permanent residents' under the stairs...”

Dollar FK14 7PP, United Kingdom

“Unfortunately visited when closed so can't comment on the inside. However, we still had a great time and did some lovely walks nearby. Great views down the glen from the castle and likewise from the glen back up toward the castle. We were still able to access some of the grounds around the castle which were nice. Will aim to revisit when open to get the full experience!”

Pitlochry PH16 5JZ, United Kingdom

“Nice forest with small walk and cute pond. Once a year they in autumn/winter time they do a lights show thing that looks cool even during the day, after 4:30 pm you require a ticket and have to get there via bus, it has food and looks like it would be a good event to go to”

Culross Palace, Culross, Dunfermline KY12 8JH, United Kingdom

“Culross Palace is a charming 17th-century palace located in the village of Culross, Fife, Scotland. It is managed by the National Trust for Scotland and is a popular tourist attraction for its well-preserved architecture and historical significance. The palace itself was built in the 16th and 17th centuries and showcases various architectural styles, including Renaissance and Georgian influences. It served as the residence of the wealthy merchants and industrialists of Culross during the height of the coal and salt industries. Visiting Culross Palace allows you to step back in time and experience life in the 17th century. As you explore the palace, you can wander through its beautifully decorated rooms, including the Great Hall, which features intricate wooden paneling and a large fireplace. The rooms showcase period furniture, artwork, and other artifacts that offer insights into the lifestyle of the time. The palace also includes a stunning walled garden, which has been meticulously restored to its original 17th-century layout. It's a peaceful and picturesque space perfect for a leisurely stroll, and it offers a variety of plants, fragrant herbs, and flower beds. In addition to the palace and garden, the village of Culross itself is worth exploring. It is considered one of Scotland's most complete examples of a Burgh (a historic Scottish town), with narrow cobbled streets and beautifully preserved buildings. Culross Palace offers guided tours, and their knowledgeable guides provide interesting insights into the history of the palace and the surrounding village. It's advisable to check the National Trust for Scotland's website or contact them directly for updated information on opening times and booking requirements. Whether you have an interest in history, architecture, or just enjoy immersing yourself in a charming and atmospheric setting, a visit to Culross Palace is highly recommended. Plenty cafes toilet facilities please note best to park in car park outside village as it’s narrow streets and many visitors doesn’t allow for too many cars”

East St, Balintore, Tain IV20 1UA, United Kingdom

“Nice monument. We parked at the seaboard centre. Also have waste disposal there for a donation. Lovely views out to sea”

River Tweed, United Kingdom

“Border - what border? Ironically named railway bridge across the River Tweed on a line that actually crosses the border approximately 2.5 miles north of Berwick. The bridge dominates the skyline all along the riverside in both Berwick and Tweedmouth”

Kellie Castle, Pittenweem, Anstruther KY10 2RE, United Kingdom

“Beautiful gardens , unfortunately, will need to come back for a castle visit. I didn't expect it to be fully booked the time we arrived. Absolutely amazing stuff, and gardens well kept.”

2 Kirkton Cottages, Fortingall, Aberfeldy PH15 2LL, United Kingdom

“Five stars to the oldest chap in Scotland, this stunning Yew Tree which nobody actually knows how old is. Probably not 5000 y.o. , certainly more than 2000 though. And five stars to the lovely lady working there as "the keeper of the tree", a gorgeous guardian who has been witnessing people coming from all over the world to visit the tree for several decades.”

Inveraray PA32 8YA, United Kingdom

“Lovely place despite the weather. Some of the woodland steps were high for little legs like mine and some of the edges along the waterfall were too sheer for my partners height phobia, but there were other paths so you could avoid the edge. …”

Road, Glen Grant Distillery Elgin, Rothes, Aberlour AB38 7BS, United Kingdom

“A must. The Scotch Whisky was good... but the grounds are spectacular. We didn't know what to expect given that this was our n-th distillery visit in days. But we were WOWed by the experience. DO yourself a favour and want the grounds. Keep in mind we were the on a very hot and sunny summer's day. If you're not drinking the walk is free. If you are doing a tasting as well, then the walk before will only enhance the flavours.”

Rossie Braes, A92, Montrose DD10 9TA, United Kingdom

“Incredible spot and well worth the entry fee (which helps fund these places and protect wildlife). Amazing bird hide/visitor centre combo replete with spotting scopes and binoculars. The secret gem is that the staff are an extensive font of bird knowledge and are lightning fast at spotting birds and setting up scopes for people to view them easily. Their enthusiasm was infectious. To top it off we saw our first kingfisher!”

Bowhill House, Selkirk TD7 5ET, United Kingdom

“Beautiful snowy walk up the Duchess road. Some great views and photo opportunities. Didn't get a chance to do the other walks but will return later in the year.”

Castle Kennedy, Stranraer DG9 8SJ, United Kingdom

“The gardens were a peaceful haven for a stroll in the sunshine. We followed the blue 'Country Walk' which was supposed to be 90 minutes, but we completed in less (more like just over an hour) with a tripod dog. We found the walk well signposted in the main. There was plenty of plants, insects and birds to look at during our stroll. We added on the walled garden and lily pond too, which were both delightful. The tea room looked promising for lunch, especially as we could take the dog in. We ordered a sausage roll and a quiche, both were served with salad and crisps. Both arrived with just crisps. Asked after the salad, and was told that the salad they had left was not fresh and they were waiting for more supplies. Disappointing. Decided not to bother with a return for a slice of cake later on. The gardens were 5* but lose a * for the tea room. Also, the toilets are in the car park. You can pop out and come back in, but it's worth noting if you're heading out on a longer walk. They were very clean though.”

Victoria Park Dr S, Glasgow G14 9QR, United Kingdom

“Its a fantastic location it should be promoted more and open 7 days a week. Instead its only open Sat - Sunday. its been getting run down since the computer was damaged and parks dept have not repaired the computer generated program. Its still worth a visit but could be better improved what needs is gift shop and more care from local city council to promote this unique historical site. added couple images let you see.”