The Village of Killearn, Scotland

Glenarn, Glenarn Road, Rhu, Helensburgh G84 8LL. On A814, two miles north of Helensburgh. Cars to be left at gate unless passengers are infirm.

Sheltered woodland garden overlooking the Gareloch. Large collection of rare and tender rhododendrons together with fine magnolias and other interesting trees and shrubs. In season there are profusions of snowdrops, crocus, daffodils, erythroniums and primulas. There is a new potting shed and cold frames. Near the vegetable patch there are beehives.

There is no general catering but catering for groups can be provided by prior arrangement.

Admission £4.00, no charge to accompanied children under 16. Donation to SGS charities.

Milseybank, Bridge of Allan FK9 4NB. Situated on the A9 between junction 11, M9 and Bridge of Allan 1 mile from the M9 and ¼ mile from Bridge of Allan. Milseybank is at the top of the lane at Lepcroft Nursery, 250 yards from Bridge of Allan railway station. Lecropt Kirk is ¾mile from M9 and ½mile from Bridge of Allan. Parking and teas available at Lecropt Kirk, disabled parking only at the house. Plant stall.

A steeply sloping garden with outstanding views, terraced for ease of access and working. A woodland garden with bluebells, mixed deciduous trees, rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias.

Admission £4.00. 40% to Strathcarron Hospice, 60% net to SGS charities.

The Pass House, Kilmahog FK17 8HD. 2 miles from Callander on A84 to Lochearnhead.

Well planted medium sized garden with steep banks down to swift river. Garden paths are not steep. Camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, alpines and shrubs.

Admission £3.00. 40% to Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme, 60% net to SGS charities.

Gargunnock House, Gargunnock FK8 3AZ. 5 miles west of Stirling on the A811. Open 2 to 5 pm.

Five acres of mature rhododendrons, azaleas, wonderful trees and unusual flowering shrubs. In autumn there are glorious autumn colours. Tour to house, walled garden area, doocot and main garden. Plant stall.

Admission £3.00, children free. 40% to Childrens Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), 60% net to SGS charities.

Kilbryde Castle, Dunblane FK15 9NF. Off A820 Doune to Dunblane road, 3 miles from Doune and Dunblane. On Garden Scheme days, it is signposted from the A820.

Traditional Scottish baronial house rebuilt in 1877 to replace building dating from 1461. Partly mature gardens with additions and renovations from 1970. Lawns overlooking Ardoch Burn with wood and water garden. Cream teas.

Admission £4. 40% to Leighton Library, 60% net to SGS charities.

Auchmar, Drymen G63 0AG. 2½ miles from Drymen on the B837.

Designed by the late Mary, Duchess of Montrose in 1935. This 5½ acre garden offers a fine show of bluebells, azaleas and rhododendrons set between mature specimen trees. There is a glen with a waterfall and woodland walks, a renovated walled garden with shrubs and herbaceous borders, and a recent bridge giving access to new areas of the garden. The site has spectacular views of Loch Lomond.

Admission £4.00. 40% to Drymen Church Annexe, 60% net to SGS charities.

Touch, Stirling FK8 3AQ. Take A811 west from Stirling then turn onto Cambusbarron Road.

Exceptionally fine Georgian House. Walled garden with herbaceous and shrub borders. Magnolias, rhododendrons and interesting shrubs. Also woodland walk. Plant stall and homemade teas.

Admission £4.00 (house £2.50) children free. 40% to Strathcarron Hospice, 60% net to SGS charities.

Yellowcraig Wood, Bluebell Walk, near Causewayhead. From the Causewayhead roundabout, take the B998 passing the Wallace Monument on your right. Turn left just before the next roundabout and go straight along this road. The entrance to the foot of Yellowcraig Wood is adjascent to Logie Kirk. Parking in the Logie Kirk car park.

70 acres of ancient woodland with a mixture of trees including oak, ash, birch, beech, gean, rowan, Scots pines and larches. Carpets of bluebells. Beautiful views from Witches Crag and Yellow Crag (binoculars recommended). The lower part of the wood is on a very steep hill.

Teas served in Logie Kirk Annex. The Church will be open for viewing.

Admission £3.50. 40% to Ataxia Society, 60% net to SGS charities.

Ross Priory, Gartocharn G83 8NL. Off A811 1½ miles from Gartocharn. Bus Balloch to Gartocharn leaves Balloch at 1 and 3 pm.

1812 Gothic addition by James Gillespie Graham to a house of 1693. The garden is has wonderful views over Loch Lomond. Rhododendrons, azaleas, selected shrubs and trees. Also a walled garden with glasshouses, a pergola and ornamental planting. Family burial ground. There are nature and garden trails. Teas in house (which is not open to view). Plant stall and putting green.

Admission £4 children free. 40% to CHAS, 60% net to SGS charities.

West Plean House, Denny Road,by Stirling FK7 8HA. Take the A823 (towards From Junction 9 where M9 and M80 converge take A872 for Denny. In less than 1 mile turn left at house sign immdeiatley after lodge cottage. Carry on up drive to the garden.

A well established garden which includes the site of an iron age homestead. Panoramic views over seven counties. Woodland walks with mature rhododendrons, specimen trees, extensive lawns and shrubs. There is a walled garden with a variety of vegetables. Includes a new woodland walk with planting of azaleas and rhododendrons. Teas available, plant stall.

Admission £4.00. 40% to Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association, 60% net to SGS charities.

Duntreath Castle, Blanefield G63 9AJ. Located on A81 north of Glasgow between Blanefield and Killearn.

Extensive gardens with mixture of mature and new planting. Ornamental landscaped lake, waterfall garden with shrubs and spring planting and a bog garden. Extensive lawns below formal fountain and rose parterre with herbaceous border. Woodland walk. 15th century keep and chapel.

Plant stall, "As New" stall, home cooking, pipe band and falconry display.

Admission £5.00. 20% to Riding for the Disabled, 20% TO St. Mary's Church, Aberfoyle, 60% net to SGS charities.

Craigend House, Auchenbowie, Stirling FK7 9QW. From Junction 9 of M9 take A872 to Denny and then after approximately 1 mile take first right to Auchenbowie Caravan Park - sign posted at this stage. At T-junction immediately past the caracan park, turn left and follow the road for 1/2 mile. Craigend House is first on right but parking is next right at Craignend Farm, which gives pedestrian access to the garden.

A spacious, partly walled, 4 acre garden with rhododendrons, azaleas, flowering shrubs, harbaceous border, rose garden, ponds fed by Auchenbowie burn, small water garden, lawns and woodland. Plant stall and cream teas available.

Admission £4.00. 40% to Strathcarron Hospice, 60% net to SGS charities.

Bridge of Allan Gardens, Bridge of Allan FK9.

Follow signs for Bridge of Allan Golf Course where parking is available. Maps and tickets available at all open gardens or from the Golf Course. Homemade Teas available at Bridge of Allan Golf Course and Cream Teas at 20 Upper Glen Road.

Plaka, Pendreich Road FK9 4LY.

Half acre of semi-terraced gardens divided into outdoor rooms with wild spaces. In addition there are rhododendrons, perennials and interesting stone and other features.

Garvia, 10 Fishers Green, FK9 4PU.

Half acre specialist's garden with beach garden, oriental section and extensive rockeries with alpines and dwarf conifers. Several water features with stream and ponds. Fruit and vegetable area. A new feature is a Gothic stone folly.

Kenilworth, 7 Kenilworth Road, FK9 4DU.

A traditional garden which has been kept true to its original layout dating back to the 1850's. "Kenilworth" is one of the three oldest houses in Kenilworth Road and was a lodging for the young Robert Louis Stevenson and his family during May 1858. The garden has a number of specimen trees including a magnificent deodar cedar all of which make it secluded. There are also open spaces and many different areas of interest. Plants include rhododendrons, azaleas, herbaceous and annuals. An elegant and sturdy fruit cage provides protection from the birds.

Orchard House, 20 Upper Glen Road, FK9 9PX.

Backing onto the side of a hill this one acre formal garden has outstanding views. It has been recently re-landscaped. There are long established fine specimen trees, including a walnut tree, which provide much interest and shelter. Newly terraced areas at the back of the garden are full of interesting and beautifully laid out plants including tree ferns, phoriums and grasses. Other features include a pond, stone terracing and an ornamental lavender and herb rill.

Admission £4.00. 20% to Strathcarron Hospice, 20% to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 60% net to SGS charities.

Kilbryde Castle, Dunblane FK15 9NF. Off A820 Doune to Dunblane road, 3 miles from Doune and Dunblane. On Garden Scheme days, it is signposted from the A820.

Traditional Scottish Baronial house rebuilt in 1877 to replace building dating from1461. Partly mature gardens with additions and renovations from 1970. Lawns overlooking Ardoch Burn with wood and water garden. (N.B. Teas not available on this date.)

Admission £4.00 concessions £3.00. 40% to Leighton Library, 60% net to SGS charities.

Ashfield Village by Dunblane, FK15 0JN. Ashfield is just north of Dunblane. Take the B8033, signposted to Braco, either from Dunblane or the A9. Look for a sign posted left turn to the village and follow the road into the village. Maps and tickets available from the Village Hall.

A diverse and interesting selection of creative small gardens in this attractive conservation village which was built from 1868 onwards as a mill village for the workers of the textile mill. Other features of interest are a greenhouse full of interesting fruits at the Mill (reclaimed from greenhouses at Glassinghall), the village polytunnel (owned by the Community) and the Dunblane Development Trust polytunnel with a fine display of bedding plants. An adjascent woodland and riverside walk leads to Dunblane, which takes about 20 minutes, through a wildflower meadow along the picturesque Allan Water. Homemade and light refreshments in the Village Hall.

Admission £3.50 (covers all gardens). Children free. 30% to Ashfield Village Association, 10% to Macmillan Cancer Relief Fund, 60% net to SGS Charities.

Southwood, Southfield Crescent, Stirling FK8 2JQ. From city centre signed from Carlton Bingo at Allan Park. From south signed from St. Ninian's Road. From west and north signed from Drummond Place and Dumbarton Road.

Southfield is a new town garden which was redesigned in 1987. ¾ acre of mixed planting including herbaceous borders with beech hedges, lavender bed, azaleas, rhododendrons abd shrubs. Interesting specimen trees including Camperdown Elm, Handkerchief Tree, Chilean Flame Tree and Cutleaf Beech amongs others. Well stocked paeony bed on mound. There will be a plant stall, a home baking stall and other sxtalls. Cream teas will be available.

Admission £3.50. 40% to Strathcarron Hospice, 60% net to SGS charities.

Killearn Village Gardens, G63. From A81 Glasgow to Aberfoyle Road, take A875 turning to Killearn.

A variety of small and medium sized gardens within the village. Most are within easy walking distance. There will be a plant stall and teas will be available in the Village Hall.

Admision £4.00 children free (includes all gardens open). 40% to Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme, 60% net to SGS charities.

32 Ledcameroch Gardens, Dunblane FK15 0GZ. Off Perth Road in Dunblane.

This property is at one end of a secluded recent development. The gardens are on a small scale and occupy the kind of space many people have available. They can give different ideas to visitors. No. 32 has a very pretty front garden and a small back garden. This was once a grassy slope but has now been terraced using over 100 railway sleepers. It contains a variety of interesting plants and shrubs.

Admission £3.00. All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries.

The Tors, 2 Slamannan Road,Falkirk FK1 5LG:
33 High Station Road, Falkirk FK1 5NE.

The B803 to the south of Falkirk leads to Glenbrae Road. Turn right at the traffic lights into Slammannan Road. Maps are available at both gardens.

Tors is a mixed Victorian town garden of 1 acre with orchard and a secret woodland garden to one side. Many unusual trees and shrubs are featured.
The small, award winning, garden at Station Road features bonsai troughs and topiary.

Plant stall, home baking stall and teas.

Admission £3.00, children free. 40% to Strathcarron Hospice, 60% net to SGS charities.

Thorntree, Arnprior FK8 3EY. A811, take Fintry Road from Arnprior, garden is second on the right.

A charming cottage garden with flower beds arranged around a courtyard with views from Ben Lomond to Ben Ledi. There is an apple walk, fern garden and Saltire garden. Cream Teas and Plant Stall.

John MacLean, a local bee keeper, will be available to answer your questions on bee keeping and hopes to have an inspection hive on display. There will be an Art Exhibition and Sale by the Byre Art Group from Killearn.

In April the bank alongside the drive to the house is filled with primroses - visitors are welcome to visit to see them.

Admission £3.50. 40% to Bannockburn Group RDA, 60% net to SGS charities.

Lochdochart, Crianlarich FK20 8QS. From A85 4 miles east of Crianlarich take the Oban Road. 7 Miles from Lixtoll garage, Lochdochart is marked by two stone pillars on the north side of the road.

Walled garden with fruit, vegetables and flowers. Mature policy woods with rhododendrons, azaleas and a good selection of candelbra primulas. Picnic beach at Loch Iubhair - bring your picnic lunch.

Admission £4. 40% to Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Fund, 60% net to SGS charities.