LOCHINCH

The Castle, built in the Scottish Baronial
style in the mid-19th Century, is still
home to the Earl and Countess
of Stair and their family.
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Welcome

It has been our family’s honour to create, restore and care for one of Scotland’s hidden treasures for almost 300 years. These important historical Gardens, situated on an isthmus, consist of 300ha (75 acres) of sculptured landscapes, and magnificent avenues radiating out from the iconic Castle Kennedy ruins. Described as ‘one of the showpieces of Galloway’, it is one of Scotland's most important historical landscaped gardens with its collection of Rhododendrons, Championship Trees and rare species.

The Gardens are perfect for exploring and provides a fun day out for families, with a charming Tea Room, Gift Shop and Plant Centre.

We warmly welcome you to the Gardens and we look forward to seeing you soon.

The Earl and Countess of Stair

NEWS & SOCIAL

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Castle Kennedy Gardens
Castle Kennedy Gardens

Are you hiding inside too? Did you know that Autumn is the best time to spot red squirrels? Dig out your wellies and explore the Gardens for your own encounter with the wonderful wildlife!

#nativespecies #castlekennedygardens #familydaysout #wildlife #redsquirrel #DiscoverScottishGardens #visitscotland ... See MoreSee Less

Are you hiding inside too? Did you know that Autumn is the best time to spot red squirrels? Dig out your wellies and explore the Gardens for your own encounter with the wonderful wildlife! #nativespecies #castlekennedygardens #familydaysout #wildlife #redsquirrel #discoverscottishgardens #visitscotland
3 months ago
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Head gardener seen one in Azalea Avenue this week, also Senior Gardener on the drive in to Castle Kennedy Gardens so they are there and busy.

Castle Kennedy Gardens
Castle Kennedy Gardens

Snapped this picture on exiting the Gardens earlier today. Such a beautiful display of autumn.
Open for seven more days 10am to 5pm.

#red #gold #autumn #seaofcolour #seasonofchanhe #turnturnturn #castlekennedygardens #familydaysout Discover Scottish Gardens VisitScotland ... See MoreSee Less

Snapped this picture on exiting the Gardens earlier today. Such a beautiful display of autumn. Open for seven more days 10am to 5pm. #Red #gold #autumn #seaofcolour #seasonofchanhe #turnturnturn #castlekennedygardens #familydaysout Discover Scottish Gardens VisitScotland
3 months ago
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  • Happy Winnie The Pooh Day! Much loved by Winnie the Pooh and visitors, our picnic hampers are back in 2023. Pre-or… https://t.co/FuURxjEuYi 09:00 AM Jan 18th
  • Did you know our guided walks start again soon? Snowdrop Festival is only a couple of weeks away.… https://t.co/uMibskN6yH 12:58 PM Jan 17th
  • Christmas Wreath Making Workshops are back this season! @castlekennedygardens https://t.co/TQLKThGt2M https://t.co/U91QDd4sUq 04:35 PM Nov 29th
  • RT @Anita310858: Taken at @CastleKennedyGs a while ago @ https://t.co/7FSVBaPpRP 12:22 PM Nov 21st
  • Can you beat this silly selfie with our Halloween Scarecrow? Behind the Castle, you will find the selfie spot. Tag… https://t.co/DgKlmmgzp5 09:07 AM Oct 11th
  • Our Halloween Festival is back for 2022 and the fun starts this Saturday. See our website for all the details… https://t.co/TxJmlq4ewv 01:46 PM Oct 3rd
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castlekennedygardens
Today we are OPEN from 10am and each weekend until Today we are OPEN from 10am and each weekend until the end of March (when we open every day). So grab your warm layers and some sturdy walking boots and head out into the Gardens to explore. Scotland’s Snowdrop Festival shows pretty displays of the bell-shaped beauties which can be seen near the 16th-century Castle Kennedy ruins with more specialist varieties waiting to be discovered inside the Walled Garden. Special access around the Black Loch at this time of year means visitors can witness a wonderful part of the Garden which is usually not available. #snowdropfestival #snowdrops #springbulbs #springisonitsway #warmerweather VisitScotland Discover Scottish Gardens
Take a break from the winter chill and celebrate w Take a break from the winter chill and celebrate with us at Scotland's Snowdrop Festival. Come discover a world of snowdrop fun! We open tomorrow for weekends throughout February and March. #SnowdropFlowerFestival #snowdropfestival #snowdrops #springbulbs #springisonitsway #warmerweather VisitScotland Discover Scottish Gardens
It’s time to get ready for the Snowdrop Festival It’s time to get ready for the Snowdrop Festival! This annual event is all about celebrating the beauty of Spring in a field of white that looks like a winter wonderland! #SnowdropFestival #snowdropfestival #snowdrops #springbulbs #springisonitsway #warmerweather Discover Scottish Gardens VisitScotland
One week to go until we open for the Snowdrop Fest One week to go until we open for the Snowdrop Festival. Have you got your tickets yet? Don't forget, if you visit us more than three times a year, you will SAVE yourself money by becoming a Friend of the Garden. Visit our website to see how you can become our Friend. https://castlekennedygardens.com or link in bio. #becomeafriend #beourfriend #snowdrops #scottishgardens #visitscotland #scotlandstartshere Discover Scottish Gardens VisitScotland 📸 Snowdrops galanthus
World Chocolate Cake Day is today! One of our mo World Chocolate Cake Day is today! One of our most popular cakes in the Tea Room is our Chocolate Guinness cake. It is so soft, fluffy, and delicious! We have been recipe testing the last few weeks and can't wait to bring you new and fresh baked treats next weekend when we re-open for the season. What is your favourite chocolate cake? #chocolatecake #guinness #homebaked #tearoom #baked #openforbusiness
Happy Burns Night! The birthday of Scotland's na Happy Burns Night! The birthday of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns is celebrated with a Burn's Night Supper. Are you having one tonight? If so, what are you feasting on? Did you know that the Southern Uplands are synonymous with the poet and that he is a famed wandered of these hills? The Southern Uplands Way runs right through Castle Kennedy Gardens and can easily be explored on foot or by bicycle. #burnsnight #burnssupper #fireworks #poetry #reading #scottish #dumfriesandgalloway #visitscotland #robertburns #southernuplands #swc300
The Gardens team are busy bees today working on ge The Gardens team are busy bees today working on getting all the trail markers out, for the Snowdrop Festival in less than two weeks. Head to the website to secure your tickets.
Happy Lunar New Year! Today is the New Year acco Happy Lunar New Year! Today is the New Year according to the Chinese Calendar. In 2023 we welcome the Year of the Rabbit. We have rabbits in abundance at the Gardens and with less than a week to go before we open for the Snowdrop Festival, now is a good time to head to our website to secure tickets. Link in bio. #yearoftherabbit #happynewyear #chinesenewyear #lunarnewyear
Happy Red Squirrel Appreciate Day! Red squirrels Happy Red Squirrel Appreciate Day! Red squirrels are native to the UK, but are under threat from invasive grey squirrels. If you happen to see a red squirrel, then stop and enjoy your lucky moment. A few have been sighted in our Gardens and woodland recently! You can help this species by creating a habitat in your yard, woodland, or garden. More info can be found on the Scottish Squirrel website https://scottishsquirrels.org.uk/ #scottishsquirrels #nativespecies #castlekennedygardens #familydaysout #wildlife #redsquirrel #discoverscottishgardens #visitscotland #asva #gardenersworld #scotlandstartshere #southwestscotland #rhs #discoverscottishgardens #visitscotland Discover Scottish Gardens VisitScotland
We had a check of our Snowdrop Trails yesterday an We had a check of our Snowdrop Trails yesterday and we are pleased to say the sunshine is helping these blooms come to life. Within a couple of weeks, there will be a carpet of white (that isn't snow) for all to enjoy. @discoverscottishgardens VisitScotland #snowdrops #flowertrail #flowerfestival Head to our website to secure your ticket today.
Happy Winnie the Pooh Day! Celebrated each year o Happy Winnie the Pooh Day! Celebrated each year on author A. A. Milne's birthday, Winnie the Pooh Day celebrates the beloved honey-obsessed bear with readings and teddy bear's picnics. If you have not tried one of our picnic hampers yet, head to our website to check them out. You can pre-order online or from the Tea Room on arrival for later collection. Link in bio. Discover Scottish Gardens VisitScotland #picnic #teddybears #aamilne #sandwiches #winniethepooh
Our first guided walk of the season starts Sunday Our first guided walk of the season starts Sunday 12 February at 10.30am. Our former Head Gardener will guide you to the best drifts of Snowdrops and bulbs inside the Gardens. After you have finished join us in the Tea Room for a free hot drink. @discoverscottishgardens VisitScotland #snowdrops #snowdropfestival #flowers #bulbs #spring
Did you know we have memberships to suit all types Did you know we have memberships to suit all types and sizes of family? Starting from as little as £30 you or a loved one could visit the Gardens every day * in 2023. Visit the Friends of the Garden Zone on our website to find out more. Link in bio. 📸 Terraces in our sculptured landforms near the Black Loch *everyday during the operating season
Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 season with o Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 season with our Snopdrop Festival commencing the first week of February. The Tea Room will welcome you with warming treats and baking. Head to our website for tickets. Link in bio or see below - https://castlekennedygardens.com #asva #gardenersworld #scotlandstartshere #southwestscotland #rhs #discoverscottishgardens #visitscotland #swc300 📸 View of the White Loch across the canal on Canal Bridge
Looking back at a lovely mid-year photograph of ou Looking back at a lovely mid-year photograph of our lower-walled garden and canal. This is the hub for our gardeners, with many planning sessions on seasonal planting, propagation and successions for our original species. This area is not accessible to the public as it includes an administrative and residential space. Only three weeks to go until we open our gates once again for the stunning Snowdrop Festival. Discover Scottish Gardens
From all of us, to all of you. Have a truly merry From all of us, to all of you. Have a truly merry and blessed Christmas.
Santa? These curious footprints were found in the Santa? These curious footprints were found in the Garden today. Who might they belong to? Not long now. One more sleep.
Are we head deeper into winter and come toward the Are we head deeper into winter and come toward the end of 2022, we want to thank all of our visitors and guests for choosing to spend time with us this year. We have had the pleasure of witnessing birthdays, family celebrations, first dates, anniversaries and even a couple of proposals! We look forward to spending more days with you all next year and look forward to welcoming you back inside the Gardens in February for the Snowdrop Festival. @discoverscottishgardens VisitScotland #winter #snow #lochinch #romantic #firstdate #daydates #castlekennedygardens
A beautiful, frosty sunrise greeted us today. The A beautiful, frosty sunrise greeted us today. The canal bridge looking across to the White Loch. Crisp sunny days. A favourite at this time of year. #asva #gardenersworld #scotlandstartshere #southwestscotland #rhs #discoverscottishgardens #visitscotland #winterwonderland #winter #frost #GiveExperiences
It is easy to get swept up in act of gifting stuff It is easy to get swept up in act of gifting stuff at Christmas. However, a Friends of the Garden membership lasts one full calendar year and is an excellent experience to enjoy through all seasons. Annual passes start at only £22. Alternatively, you can purchase gift vouchers which can be redeemed for memberships, events or retail purchases. #christmasgiftguide #giveexperiences #beourfriend #friendsofthegarden #exclusiveoffers #presaletickets #christmasgift #shoplocal #SupportSmallBusiness @visitscotland @discoverscottishgardens
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Balker Lodge external
Balker Lodge external
bed interior self catering
bed interior self catering
George Wellman CKG panaromic view over White Loch
George Wellman CKG panaromic view over White Loch
Scones on arrival - Balker Lodgering
Scones on arrival - Balker Lodgering

CONTACT

t: 01776 702 024 / 01581 400 225
e: info@castlekennedygardens.com

Stair Estates, Sheuchan, Castle Kennedy,
Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway,
DG9 8SL

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Castle Kennedy Gardens
  • Home
  • The Gardens

    • History
    • What’s Here
      • Features
      • Plants & Shrubs
      • Sculptured Landforms
      • Wildlife
    • Garden Tour
    • What’s in Flower

    • GALLERY

    • Collections

    • Conservation
    • Lochinch &
      Stair Estates
  • Plan a Visit
    • Plan a Visit
    • Group Visits
    • School Visits

    • Accessibility
    • Visiting During Covid
    • Storm Arwen
  • TICKETS & PRICES
  • WHAT’S
    ON
  • NEWS &
    SOCIAL
  • Eat &
    Shop
  • Get Involved

    • Volunteering
    • Become a Friend

  • Weddings
  • Holiday
    Cottages

    • Properties
      • The Chauffeur’s Apartment
      • Balker Lodge
      • Ice House Cottage

    • Activities

    • Enquiries

    • Availability & Booking

    • KEEPING OUR GUESTS SAFE

  • CONTACT
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