Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Introduction to Threave Garden

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Visit Threave Garden in southwest Scotland if you’re interested in exploring gorgeous gardens and seeing unique architecture and fauna. The National Trust for Scotland oversees this garden, which has a number of different flora and even a small herd of llamas. You can find it in the Dumfries & Galloway area, a little distance south of Castle Douglas. It also has a castle that was constructed nearby in 1369 by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway. Threave Gardens is a wonderful destination with a wide range of activities.

Visitor Information

£12 per adult, £26 per family, Free for National Trust for Scotland Members

Dogs are not permitted in the gardens but are permitted in the woodlands outside the gardens

Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway (shots.scared.rationing)

Free on-site parking, toilets, cafe, picnic area, shop

Location

Threave offers free parking for a maximum of 300 vehicles. They want everyone who comes to visit to feel comfortable and not hurried during their time here. Just a short drive south of Castle Douglas in Scotland’s Dumfries & Galloway area. It is situated in the southwest of Scotland, close to the town of Castle Douglas, and is managed by the National Trust for Scotland. 

Beautiful gardens, a castle, and a wide variety of animals may all be found at Threave Gardens, a National Trust for Scotland site. It is entirely inside Scottish territory, making the trip to Edinburgh a mere two hours at most. It’s the ideal destination for a day trip! Threave Gardens is a fantastic destination for families with kids. They can go on adventures, climb trees, and discover new places to go. In addition to its stunning flora, Threave Gardens also has a scenic nature walk that winds through the park’s forests and along an abandoned railroad grade. It’s possible to see wildlife, such as deer and woodpeckers.

NTS members may visit Threave Gardens whenever they choose, at no cost. Wheelchair access to the gardens and parking are also easily accessible.

In addition to bringing your own food for picnics in the park, there is a small café selling snacks, beverages, and ice creams.

Threave House

About the Gardens

As the biggest garden owned by the National Trust for Scotland, Threave is a must-see. In 1988, Her Majesty The Queen chose the present owners as protectors of this special environment, and they have since meticulously restored it.

Flowers such as rhododendrons, camellias, and azaleas may be observed in the garden. In addition, there are three tiny herds of llamas here, whose numbers have increased to seven.

The park, which was opened to the public in 1964 and formerly belonged to the Marquess of Bute, is home to a wide range of exotic plants and a handful of llamas. Threave comes from “Threave’s Island,” the name of the island on which the garden is located. A prosperous community of monks who farmed medicinal plants for their monastery formerly flourished there.

Sir Robert Lorimer, who had worked with Colonel David Brown at Luton Hoo Garden before becoming one of Scotland’s most renowned architects, created the gardens. He is responsible for numerous well-known structures in Edinburgh, such as the Edinburgh University Library, Dunbar School, and Edinburgh Sheriff Court House.

Being perched on a hillside, the gardens provide excellent vantage points from which to take in the scenery. The ground floor has an astounding array of plants and trees, in addition to a small herd of llamas.

If you’re looking for more than simply a gorgeous garden, Threave has an interesting history that you may learn about. James Hamilton, a Scottish politician, resided here in the 1790s, and he was just one of countless proprietors who have made their imprint on the area. This is the home he constructed, and it is still standing now!

Threave Garden

Plants in Threave Garden

A variety of plants can be found here; there are several different sections within the garden that are designed differently and contain different kinds of flowers and shrubs:

  • The Tropical Garden – this section contains plants from around the world that thrive in warm climates such as Africa or India
  • The Rock Garden – is made up of rocks and boulders collected from all over Scotland; some were dug up from nearby beaches or quarries while others have been moved from other parts of Britain
  • The Rose Garden – is home to about 100 varieties of roses grown by volunteers on site.
Flowers at Threave Gardens

Nearby Threave Garden

Threave Castle

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Threave Castle, erected in 1369 by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway, and previously besieged by James II of Scotland, is next to the gardens. Castle was demolished in 1650 by Oliver Cromwell’s army.

Threave Garden Opening Times and Facilities

NTS members may visit Threave Gardens whenever they choose, at no cost. Wheelchair access to the gardens and parking are also easily accessible.

You may purchase ice cream, beverages, and snacks at the convenience store, dine at the café, or pack a picnic to enjoy while you’re there.

Threave Garden Conclusion

If you and your loved ones are seeking for a change of pace, a trip to the Threave Estate is a fantastic option. The gardens on this stunning property are only the beginning; there are also llamas, a castle ruin, and a centre for ospreys.

There you have it—details on where to park, when the gardens are open, and what else to anticipate during your time at Threave Gardens.