Scotland for Gardeners - 560pps_Scotland for Gardeners - 560 pps 08/04/2014 13:34 Page 10
Brackla Wood Brackla Wood Culbokie, Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, IV7 8GY Susan and Ian Dudgeon SG days (June) and by arrangement; ££ From A9 turn off to Culbokie. At far end of village, turn right after playing fields towards Munlochy. After about a mile turn right into ‘No Through Road’ signposted ‘Upper Braefindon’. Garden is first on left T: 01349 877765 E: smdbrackla@aol.com
Most of Scotland’s woodland gardens are on a relatively large scale, but Brackla Wood shows that this gardening style can be achieved very well in a packed 1-acre garden. Under the Scots pines and other trees are collections of hellebores, particular favourites of Susan Dudgeon, and hostas in a stumpery, created by her husband Ian. A scattering of rhododendrons surround a set of small ponds and the garden attracts a good range of wildlife, including red squirrels and a pine marten. Behind the house is a fine natural rock garden filled with a wide range of alpines and perennials, which is overlooked by a summer house that features an attractive spoked round window rescued by Ian from an old hydro-power plant. Wisteria grows on the house and the property is bordered by a honeysuckle hedge.
Brahan Brahan Near Dingwall, IV7 8EE Mr and Mrs A. Matheson Dell open year round, SG 1 day some years; A835 west from Maryburgh roundabout, 2 miles, wellsignposted E: info@brahan.com www.brahan.com
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Brahan is a 4,000-acre estate not far from Inverness. The original house was demolished in the 1950s and the old stables are now the main house, which has a private garden around it (not open). Brahan is a rather wild and overgrown arboretum (the dell) planted along the driveways, with a collection of fine mature trees, including some UK champions. Most of the best are conifers: redwoods, spruce, hemlock, Thuja, pines, etc., and some are labelled. There are also a few species rhododendrons as well as abundant wildlife/bird life in the lochs, swamps and alongside the River Conon, which runs down to the Cromarty Firth. I was informed that much-needed renovation and tree surgery was planned at Brahan, though I failed to see any sign of it when I visited in August 2013; the place was a bit of an overgrown jungle. Brahan was the home of Scotland’s own version of Nostradamus, Kenneth Mackenzie, known as the Brahan Seer. He was executed in the seventeenth century for his prophecies and predictions, many of which have apparently come true. There are several holiday properties for rent on the estate.