Glenwhan Garden

About the garden

Glenwhan was carved out of Scottish moorland and is plantswoman Tessa Knott Sinclair’s spectacular achievement. Centred around two lochans are extensive collections of herbaceous, rhododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas, embothriums, eucryphias, conifers and extensive southern hemisphere, himalayan and sino-himalayan plantings which form this 12-acre designed landscape. Over 1,000 plants are labelled so far. Garden and tree trails are marked and clearly signed.

The initial site, bought unseen in 1971, was a wilderness of bog, bracken and gorse interspersed with the odd willow. The garden is south facing with spectacular views out over Luce Bay to the Mull of Galloway, the Isle of Man and beyond. Due to the close proximity of the Gulf Stream many tender trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants flourish.

A newly designed map shows all the garden features and buildings, and marks all the paths and clearly shows a designated garden trail. Also marked are the many garden seats positioned regularly, each one with a special view. Tasteful sculptures can be discovered.    

The garden has a tearoom supplying a fine array of foods, including meals and cater for vegetarian, vegan as well as non vegetarian. The cakes alone are well worth the visit. Adjacent to the tearoom is a plant sale area featuring both plants propagated in the garden as well as produce bought in.

The gardens and arboretum are generally open all 365 days of the year; the tearoom from 1 April until the end of September.    

We recently aquired Botanic Garden Conservation International association status.