Backhouse Rossie Estate

About the garden

Owned by

Caroline & Andrew Thomson

The historic Walled Garden, with themes of art and science, offers the opportunity to take a step back and relax among changing seasonal plantings. Enjoy the longest scented rose archway in Scotland over a ‘DNA’ pathway that includes a central flower bed constructed from the cathedral stone of a rose window.

Discover auriculas, spring bulbs and later, yew-backed herbaceous borders filled with wispy grasses, colourful perennials, rare plants, hosta collection, pollinator borders, interesting shrubs and champion trees. A mesmeric water feature, rill and formal pond support four generations of fish. Culinary and medicinal herbs, soft fruit, scented roses and cut flowers fill the potager, with old espaliered fruit trees trained on the stone walls and Victorian glasshouses.

Find out about the historic Loch that disappeared, see the Covenanter’s ruined Woodland tomb, discover the family’s links to Mary Queen of Scots and horticultural links to Charles Darwin. For the young at heart, explore Bear Walk, with carved animals under dappled shade of native trees, nine-hole family putting, grass labyrinth and the increasing red squirrel population.

The Garden Café's seasonal menu offers freshly cooked 'seed to plate' dishes from the garden, which include chemical free homemade garlic pesto, jams and chutneys; the estate’s heritage apples and pears are pressed for a refreshing drink.

The family have restored the garden over the past 16 years. The Backhouse Heritage and Education Centre tells the story of their forebears, the famous Quaker Backhouse family of botanists and bankers, whose ground-breaking achievements are being brought back to life by this sixth generation. Their forebears legacy now joins the rich heritage of the area and the family connections to this. The Scientific National Collection of Narcissus 'Backhouse' cultivars blooms in spring and is the catalyst for Scotland’s National Daffodil Festival held at the estate mid-April each year.  

Please note: this garden is partially accessible.