Read 'A Visit to Glamis Castle, Glamis, Angus, Scotland' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Glamis Castle, known for being the childhood home of the mother of Queen Elizabeth II and the birthplace of her sister, Princess Margaret, has been in the Strathmore family for over 600 years. The garden was first planted in the second half of the 1600s and included a walled garden but in 1760 and it was replaced by the landscaped park type of garden that was popular at the time. The garden was changed again in the 19th and 20th centuries to include the Pinetum, featuring many native American trees, the Dutch Garden, and the formal Italian garden that is the high point of a visit to the castle gardens.

The mile long drive to the castle lined by large oaks is impressive any time of year but presents a beautiful daffodil display in spring.

A large, old dovecote adds a quaint charm to the approach.

The two circular towers on the front lawn, one of which is seen here, are follies.

A spectacular 21 foot tall sundial nearby was built in 1671 as part of the formal gardens and features 84 separate sundials.

The Dutch Garden immediately outside the east wing was laid out in 1893 and consists of boxwood edged parterres filled with flowering plants. Unfortunately, this garden is not open to the public and so you have to enjoy it from afar.

The Italian garden, created in 1910 by Countess Cecilia, grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II, is surrounded by a yew hedge and has two pleached beech allees.

Two gazebos that date to the 17th century are on either end of a raised viewing area. From the viewing area the flowerbeds can be seen. The parterres were laid out in the shape of a fan so that the varied colored flowers in the beds looked like a rainbow.

A stone fountain adds sparkle to the display.

The castle grounds also includes a nature trail and pasture land in which unusual cattle can be seen as well as visiting deer. A visit to Glamis castle gardens is a wonderful way to spend a leisurely afternoon in Scotland.

Read 'A Visit to Edzell Castle, Scotland' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

The garden at Edzell Castle was planted in the 1930 but reflects the Renaissance ideas of its earlier owner and designer, David Lindsay, and offers some remarkable features. The original castle dating back to the 1100s no longer remains but the building seen there now dates back to the mid 16th century, the same time period that the walled garden was built. Lindsay wanted to create a stimulus for both the mind and the senses and the garden he built carries out his intentions.

As soon as you approach the castle with its garden wall you know that it is something special. Over the entrance is the Lindsay coat of arms and motto, “Dum spiro spero” (“While I breath I hope”).

Inside, the garden is planted in a formal Renaissance style with parterres and trimmed hedges.

In each corner there are hedges planted in various flower shapes including fleur de lis (shown), Scottish thistle, and English rose.

An interesting note is added by the topiary hedge spelling out the Lindsay’s  motto (“Dum spiro spero”)

The spectacular wall features niches for flower boxes or sculpture, and birds.

The niches are planted with blue and white lobelia and make a stunning sight when they bloom as seen in the photograph by Scoonie on Flickr.com

The wall is also adorned with bas relief panels representing the seven Greco-Roman deities associated with the known planets of the day (Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and the Moon) on the east wall, the seven liberal arts (Grammatica, Rhetorica, Dialectia, Arithmetica, Musica, Geometria and Astronomia) on the south wall, and the seven cardinal virtues (Fides, Spes, Caritas, Prudentia, Temperantia, Fortitudo and Justitia) on the west wall. The panels are believed to be taken from illustrations in pattern books that were circulated at the time.  Some of the panels have been removed so that they may be saved for posterity.

Originally, there was a bath house in one corner but now only slight ruins are visible.

To add further interest to the garden, a guest house is was built in a far corner.

If you like castles, castle gardens and unique wall features you will love this garden. The wall features alone are worth the visit.