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.

Avonmuir House, Muiravonside, by Linlithgow, EH49 6LN. From Junction 4 of the M9 follow the A803 towards Linlithgow. After about half a mile turn right into the road signposted to Whitecross. In the centre of Whitecross take the first right. Pass a small football ground and go round a sharp bend and just before the bridge over the Union Canal turn right towards Muiravonside Kirk and Cemetery. Immediatley turn right again into the parking area in the field.

The house and gardens are the old Manse of Muiravonside built about 1795. There is a walled garden with fruiting trees and north and south facing borders. The gardens then lead through shrubs and young trees towards an old ruin with a walk along the burn back to the house. There will be a good display of daffodils at the spring opening.
There is a produce stall and homemade teas.

Admission £4.00. 40% to Combat Stress, 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. This is the 25th year this garden has opened.

Admission £4.00. 40% to Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme, 60% net to SGS charities.

Gargunnock House, Gargunnock FK8 3AZ. 5 miles west of Stirling on the A811.

Five acres of mature gardens, woodland walks, walled garden and 18th century doocot. Daffodils in April and May, glorious display of rhododendrons and azaleas in May and June, wonderful trees and unusual flowering shrubs. In autumn there are glorious autumn colours.Guided tours can be aranged for parties. Plant stall. Refreshments on 26th September only.

Admission £3.00 except 26th September when £4.00. 20% to Childrens Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), 20% to Gargunnock Community Centre, 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. The gardens cover around 12 acres above the Ardoch Burn and below the castle. They are split into three sections - formal, woodland and wild. Spring bulbs (including huge drifts of snowdrops in the wild garden) and autumn colour. Natural planting of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias in the woodland garden. Cream teas and light refreshments on 9 May only.

Admission £4 children free. 40% to Leighton Library, 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.

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, specie and dwarf 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. There is also a 20 minute walk on the flat at the bottom of the wood.

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

Admission £4.00. 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. 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.

Admission £2.00. 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.

Admission £4.00. All proceeds to SGS charities.

Glenorchard, Auchenlay Road, Dunblane FK15 9JS. Travel into Dunblane from A820. Take the 3rd turning on the left into Kilbryde Crescent which is a single track country road. Follow the road for 1 mile, the house is on the right hand side.

A traditional terraced garden dating from 1904 with herbaceous borders. The garden is particularly attractive in May with rhododendrons, azaleas and cherry blossom. There is a short walk along the bank of the river Allan which features spring flowers. In the field beyond hardy wild orchids have been allowed to spread freely. Laighils bank, opposite the garden, is a carpet of bluebells in May. Homemade teas available.

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

Bridge of Allan Gardens, Bridge of Allan FK9.

Signposted from village. Maps and tickets available at all open gardens. Cream Teas available at St Saviour's Church Hall.

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.

Kilmun Cottage, 1b Pendreich Road, FK9 4PZ.

A 1/3 acre sloping garden designed and beautifully landscaped by the owner within the last two years. A terraced garden with an attractive rockery and pond, raised beds with herbaceous plants including a fine Fothergilla major, a vegetable plot with three espalier apple trees and a fruit garden with blueberry and other bushes leading to a wild area.

St Saviour's Rectory Garden and St Saviour's Church Garden, Keir Street, FK9.

The attractive Rectory Garden, sheltered on one side by the Church and another by the Rectory, was re-designed three years ago by the present Rector and his wife. The addition of a trellis, a raised bed and a sweeping herbaceous border filled with interesting plants gives the garden instant form and colour.
The Church Garden has a well laid out semi-walled garden with interesting plants and an attractive beech hedge.
The Church, which is over 150 years old, will be open to visitors.

Admission £5.00 children free. 30% to St Saviour's Church, 10% to Strathcarron Hospice, 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. The gardens cover around 12 acres above the Ardoch Burn and below the castle. They are split into three sections - formal, woodland and wild. Spring bulbs (including huge drifts of snowdrops in the wild garden) and autumn colour. Natural planting of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias in the woodland garden. (N.B. Teas not available on this date.)

Admission £4.00 children free. 40% to Leighton Library, 60% net to SGS charities.

King's Park Gardens, Stirling FK8. 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.

Southwood, 2 Southfield Crescent, Stirling FK8 2JQ.

A walled garden which was redesigned in 1987. Long herbaceous borders with beech hedges, shrubs and a lavender bed. Well stocked paeony bed on mound and interesting specimen trees. There will be a plant stall, a home baking stall and other stalls and attractions. Cream teas will be available.

3 Southfield Crescent, Stirling FK8 2JQ.

This charming garden was revamped in 2003. It has an attractive variegated privet hedge in the front garden, several interesting maples, herbaceous plants and a newly planted Monkey Puzzle tree. The sheltered, semi-walled, rear garden has a Wisteria and other shrubs, a raised bed, several rhododendrons and other plants in pots, and an attractive summer house.

21 Snowdon Plce, Stirling FK8 2JW.

A traditional south facing walled garden with fine herbaceous and perennial planting. Trachelospurmum with buttery yellow flowers is on the back of the house with a notable cornus "Henry Hadden" and a rockery.

Park Lodge, Park Terrace, Stirling FK8.

A large and elegant formal garden with good herbaceous borders.

1 Abercromby Place, Stirling FK8 2QP.

A medium sized walled garden dominated by a 100 year old copper beech. There is a 70 year old Wisteria on the south facing back of the house, many mature bushes and Clematis growing up various sections of the wall. The garden changes from a colourful spring garden with azaleas, rhododendrons, spring bulbs and bluebells into a summer garden with an herbaceous bed and some old-fashioned climbing roses.

Admission £5.00, concessions £4.00, children free. 40% to Strathcarron Hospice, 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.
Plan stall and homemade teas.

Admission £3.00. All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries.

Dunblane Gardens, Dunblane FK15. Follow yellow signs on entry to Dunblane.

Several creative and different gardens in Dunblane including St Blane's House (High Street) and Glenorchard (Auchenlay Road). Maps and tickets available on the day from all the open gardens.
Homemade teas at Glenorchard.

Admission £5.00, concessions £4.00, children free. 40% to CHAS, the net remaining to SGS Beneficiaries.

Drumbroider Moss, Easter Greencraigs, Avonbridge FK1 2LF. From Junction 4 of M9 take the A801 at the roundabout to the next roundabout. Take B825 through Standburn and continue for 0.9 mile then take right at the crossroads. Unlined road 0.3 miles on right.

Situated in rural countryside and created primarily to encourage wildlife this large informal garden is only six years old. There is mixed planting, naturalised ponds, roses and hostas to encourage biodiversity. Raised organic vegetable beds. Wonderful views in all directions.
Plant stall and cream teas.

Admission £3.50. 40% to Strathcarron Hospice, the net remaining 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.
High Station Road is down steps close to The Tors at Falkirk High Station.
Maps are available at both gardens.

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

Plant stall and homemade teas.

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

The Gean House, Tullibody Road, Alloa FK10 2EL.

The Gean House is located on the Tullibody Road, Alloa.

The Gean House is an early 20th century Arts and Crafts mansion. On arrival, the sweeping driveway from the main road takes you through beautiful parkland lined with trees to the Mansion set on top of the hill facing north east. The gardens surrounding the house originally extended to 40 acres and included a Japanese garden in the woods. All that now remains are seven acres on the southern and eastern aspects of the house. There is a rose garden situated directly outside the dining room window.

Cream teas in The Gean House.

Admission £4.00. 40% to The Scottish Society for Autism, 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 £4.00. 40% to Riding for the Disabled, 60% net to SGS charities.