Explore the gardens at Abriachan
A rambling woodland treasure
Discover scented, seasonal plantings, historical treasures, and wildlife in this garden set in ancient hazel woodland amidst huge, old oaks.
The garden through the seasons
Spring
The garden’s at its most magical. Snowdrops, narcissus, daffodils, and muscari make way for native woodland plants before azalea and rhododendron put on a show.
Autumn
The heather purples the hills before the leaves turn. The borders are full of asters, Michaelmas daisies, and other cottage garden treasures, while the grasses are at their peak.
Summer
A blaze of old-fashioned summer annuals and lush borders light up the shores of the loch. Old roses, clematis, and honeysuckle festoon the woodland with colour and fragrance.
Winter
The evergreen hollies dominate the woodland, and the drystone walls, the architectural bones of the garden, come into their own as the froth of the summer borders die back.
Plants that thrive in Scottish conditions
Garden highlights
Old primulas & auriculas
Visit our extensive collection of rare old primroses and auriculas in spring. We display them in an auricula theatre and in raised beds so you can enjoy the delicate detail of these exquisite plants.
Old-fashioned plants
Nostalgic spring beauties like wallflowers and peonies make way for summer border favourites like campanula lactifloria, red valerian, centaureas, and masses of herbs.
Shady woodland plants
The woodlands are planted with flowering shrubs, while blue poppies, candelabra primroses, cardiocrinums – giant Himalayan lilies that grow up to six feet tall – and hostas grow well in the woodland shade.
Tapestry of annuals
We grow a lot of annuals because we love seasonal colour in our sunny beds. In summer you’ll see a blaze of cosmos, poppies, cornflowers, nicotiana, calendula, and nigella.
Share your visit with Scottish wildlife
A treasure trove of botanical memories
The garden features plants connected to the gardeners’ lives. Donald and Margaret met in New Zealand, then spent a decade living in the Falklands, and have built a collection of southern hemisphere plants.
The ancient roots of the garden
This is an ancient place. People have lived here for many centuries. We’re just the latest in a long line. Discover the historical roots of this property, from early Christianity until the second world war.
Plan your visit to the gardens at Abriachan
We welcome visitors of all ages to explore our secret, fragrant woodland garden on the shores of Loch Ness. The gardens are open from 9:00am-5:00pm, seven days a week. Entry is £4.00 per person for a self-guided walk.
Tours with the gardener can be booked on request. A one hour tour is £10.00 per person, for a minimum of 5 people, and a maximum of 10. Please contact us to book a tour or to discuss a larger group.
“Worth a stop for beauty and tranquility ... Natural woodland with some beautiful plants … a hidden gem.”
— August 2025