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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  • We’re excited to be taking part in @The_RHS Partner Garden of The Year competition! The past two years have highlig… https://t.co/IXBiXy9TmX 03:46 PM Aug 30th
  • TONIGHT - Open Air Theatre performance of 'Awful Auntie' by David Walliams. Tickets are available online. https://t.co/U3ATHpzSp0 08:32 AM Aug 4th
  • Did you know we have a guided walk this Monday 11 July? Historic Sculptured Landforms with former Head Gardner John… https://t.co/Ra9b3B8u2Y 01:07 PM Jul 7th
  • We've just had a cancellation at our stunning holiday cottage from this Saturday, 28 August. The weather is set to… https://t.co/dAf3XWSRqc 01:37 PM Aug 24th
  • We love the rain, and so do our plants... but it's also pretty great to see the sun back again! #ScottishGardens https://t.co/DdHbLfV2ir 03:25 PM Aug 13th
  • RT @TheGinClan: Roadtrip in Galloway - stay tuned for colour. #onlyinscotland #gloriousGalloway @LoganBotanicGdn #Whithorn @craftydistills… 08:45 AM Jun 30th
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We are a proud sponsor of this year's @wigtownbook We are a proud sponsor of this year's @wigtownbookfest It is such a wonderful local event filled with a variety of activities to suit most tastes. This Friday, 30 September, we are hosting the Sara Sheridan author event at the Stable Courtyard on the grounds near Lochich Castle. Limited tickets are still available via the Wigtown Book Festival website. #wigtownbookfestival #wigtown #dumfriesandgalloway #books #authorevent #thefairbotanists #sarasheridan #castlekennedygardens
The Autumnal changes in the Gardens display an arr The Autumnal changes in the Gardens display an array of colour. The lily pads in the round pond highlight to stunning reds and golds of the season. We welcome you to explore the Gardens 10am to 5pm daily until Oct 31. #autumn #fall #seasons #lilypad #castlekennedygardens
Castle Kennedy Gardens is closed today to provide Castle Kennedy Gardens is closed today to provide the opportunity for all staff and visitors to mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and reflect on her life and legacy with the State Funeral being held today.
Today the public have been invited to take part in Today the public have been invited to take part in a National Moment of Reflection to mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and reflect on her life and legacy. The National Moment of Reflection will take place at 8pm on Sunday 18 September, the night before the State Funeral, and be marked by a one-minute silence. The silence can be marked privately at home, with friends and family, out on doorsteps or the street with neighbours, or at locally arranged community events and vigils. As a reminder, the Gardens will be closed tomorrow, for the State Funeral.
There are beautiful views all over our Gardens. Th There are beautiful views all over our Gardens. This picture was taken from behind the Walled Garden, looking towards the White Loch. So many dreamy secret spaces made for wandering and contemplation. Come and have a wander in our Gardens 10am to 5pm until Oct 31. 📸 Hydrangea 'macrophylla' #hydrangea #scottish #Romantic #daydate #visitscotland #discoverscottishgardens #scottishgardens #castlekennedygardens #southwestscotland
Morning tea time! We have some super delicious, fr Morning tea time! We have some super delicious, freshly baked treats in the Tea Room today. Apple cinnamon cake, Berry tray bake and chocolate choc chip biscuits to name a few. You are welcome to visit the Tea Room without paying admission to the Gardens. So come and have your morning tes with us. Open daily 10am to 5pm until Oct 31.
The blooms in the Garden are lovely as the seasons The blooms in the Garden are lovely as the seasons change. With dominant stamens in late summer and autumn, this Eucryphia 'Nymansay' shows a great display of colour at the moment. As we move through this week of quiet reflection, we are pleased to welcome you into the Gardens 10am to 5pm daily. #reflection #mindful #eucryphia #castlekennedygardens @discoverscottishgardens @visitscotland
We pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, We pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and her extraordinary service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. There will be a book of condolence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at Castle Kennedy Gardens for visitors to sign from Wednesday, 14th September. As a mark of respect, we will not be opening Castle Kennedy Gardens on the day of Her Majesty's funeral. The Earl and Countess of Stair
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Her Majesty We are deeply saddened by the loss of Her Majesty the Queen. At this terribly sad time, our thoughts are with the entire British Royal Family and the nation, as we grieve her loss.
Happy Friday! Take the time today to come into the Happy Friday! Take the time today to come into the Gardens and enjoy a delicious home-baked picnic. The hamper comes lovingly packaged, with a blanket for you to wander and find your own favourite spot to indulge and enjoy the view. We are open 10am to 5pm daily. @discoverscottishgardens @visitscotland #scones #sconeswithjamandcream #afternoontea #morningtea #picnic #gardens #scottishgardens
First day of autumn! Such splendid colour in the t First day of autumn! Such splendid colour in the trees and leaves at this time of year. Come and see it for yourself. We are open daily, 10am to 5pm until Oct 31. In association with the Discover Scottish Gardens Tree Festival @visitscotland @discoverscottishgardens #autumn #treefestival #discoverscottishgardens
It's the last day of summer today! We have had an It's the last day of summer today! We have had an amazing time with you all so far this season. We have seen thousands of smiling faces and had hundreds more come to our events. What has been the highlight of your summer? For us, it is our amazing blooms and the sea of ever-changing colour they provide. Come and visit the Gardens for yourself this season and watch the spectacle of autumn, as the leaves turn into a field of red and orange. VisitScotland @discoverscottishgardens #endofsummer #summer #peony #seasons #flowers 📸 Chromatella peony
We’re taking part in The RHS Partner Garden of t We’re taking part in The RHS Partner Garden of the Year competition where RHS - Royal Horticultural Society is searching for the nation’s best-loved RHS Partner Garden. This is the second year of the competition, which recognises how important exercise and a connection to nature are for mental health. The theme is ‘Feel Good’, so if visiting our garden (or seeing the pictures and videos that we have been sharing) has lifted your mood at all, we’d really love for you to vote for us. Voting closes 30 September! Visit rhs.org.uk/pgoty #RHSPartnerGardens 📸 Agapanthus 'nana Lochinch'
Beautiful views from our bird hide today. Keeping Beautiful views from our bird hide today. Keeping dry and enjoying the view.
A new perspective. Sometimes that is all we need t A new perspective. Sometimes that is all we need to realign our week. This view over the Castle Kennedy ruin and the Walled Garden is a fine example of how looking at something from a new perspective can create opportunities for discovery. Visit the Gardens yourself this week and see if you can discover a new perspective too. Open daily 10am to 5pm. #perspective #worldview #birdseyeview #castleruin #scottishcastle #scottishgarden #walledgarden #loch @discoverscottishgardens @vVisitScotland
Nature Therapy Event TODAY 10.30am De-stress and c Nature Therapy Event TODAY 10.30am De-stress and connect with nature at the Gardens today with qualified eco-therapist Stephen McCabe. During the 1.5hr guided experience participants will walk, discuss, ponder and connect with their natural surroundings. Take the skills learned during the session and de-stress yourself at any time at home or in nature. Link to tickets in bio or buy at the Gardens. Discover Scottish Gardens VisitScotland Visit Stranraer #ecotherapy #naturetherapy #wellness #mindfulness #destressing #walledgarden #castlekennedygardens
Another picnic hamper has gone out to a happy visi Another picnic hamper has gone out to a happy visitor. This delicious Afternoon Tea includes a mix of sandwiches, home-baked cakes, scones with local jam and cream and of course hot drinks too. You can pre-book your hampers online and give us 24 hours notice or you can book on arrival for collection later in your visit. #freshfood #localfood #picnichamper #afternoontea #castlekennedygardens #visitscotland #DiscoverScottishGardens
Nature Prints Event Next Wednesday 24 August. Joi Nature Prints Event Next Wednesday 24 August. Join our Head Gardener to harness the power of nature to create some stunning artwork to take home. During this guided activity, you will learn how to create amazing shapes and shadows on paper using the wonderful environment in the Gardens. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This activity is open to all ages. Link to tickets in bio. @visitscotland @discoverscottishgardens #schoolholidays #summerholidays #thingstodo #familyfun #natureart #natureprints #headgardener #stranraer #castlekennedygardens
Scottish Storytelling, Myths & Legends Event Frida Scottish Storytelling, Myths & Legends Event Friday 19 August. In association with @visitscotland Year of Stories, we welcome author Stephen McCabe this Friday for an epic journey in the little-known myths and legends from the Moorfoot area of Midlothian; a land of psychic trees, bagpipe-playing ghosts, and exploding hills. Link to tickets in bio. #yearofstories #midlothian #dumfriesandgalloway #stranraer #castlekennedygardens #storytelling #scottishhistory #myths #legends @discoverscottishgardens
Salvias & The Walled Garden – Guided Walk Monda Salvias & The Walled Garden – Guided Walk Monday 29th August 10.30am – 12.00pm. Tickets £3 plus admission to the Gardens, plus a hot drink and a free slice of home-baking (members get 10% off tickets). Our Walled Garden is at its best in the height of summer with the borders in full bloom. Join our former Head Gardener for an inspiring and informative guided walk to uncover the abundance of mid-summer in our Walled Garden. Salvias are amazing at this time of year. Also see Osteospermum, Verbenas, and Delphiniums. 📷 Salvia 'fulgens' & Salvia 'indigo spires'
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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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