Cluny House Gardens
Wander through this wonderful wild woodland garden, overlooking Strathtay Valley and discover rare and exotic plants from around the world.
The gardens, planted in 1950 by Bobby and Betty Masterton, feature trees and shrubs from America, New Zealand, Japan, China and Tibet merged with native plants to create the unique atmosphere of a Himalayan woodland paradise.
The gardens were developed around a few existing 100 year old trees, including what is now Britain’s widest conifer – a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) – 11 metres in girth and over 130 years old.
Woodland plants regenerate and expand freely beneath the canopy of impressive trees, featuring two massive sequoias amongst rhododendron (Rhododendron dauricum), Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and birch (Betula pendula).
The natural topography of the garden creates steep path routes with unavoidable steps in places. The walk itself is short but meanders through the towering exotic specimen trees and provides a special experience for the visitor.
Since the deaths of the Mastertons in the 1980s, the gardens have been managed their daughter, Wendy and husband, John Mattingley. Thanks to an holistic, natural approach – no chemicals are used, steps and rails are made from their own wood, and weeding is done by hand – the gardens are ablaze with colour throughout the opening season.
The brilliant blue, yellow and red Himalayan poppies (Meconopsis napaulensis), mix with white, pink and red of American wood lilies (Lilium philadelphicum), accompanied by the heady scents of the many other varieties. The chemical-free home-produced leaf mould encourages many of the plants to naturalise, blending in with natives such as primrose (Oenothera) and bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta).
For added interest try some red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) watching. These well established native Scots are remarkably unafraid of people and are seen nipping up trees and in and out of plants all year. Sightings are virtually guaranteed.
Gardens open daily spring to autumn. Admission charge.
Moderate-going hillside walks on a network of paths.
Location
3 miles/ 5 km east of Aberfeldy, between Weem and Strathtay - access from minor road of B846.
West of the A9, it is well signposted from the A827 to Aberfeldy.
Public transport and other facilities
There is no public transport to the site.
Parking is very limited with space for around seven cars. No catering facilities, proximity of Aberfeldy provides toilets and other requirements.
Although the whole site is not suitable for the disabled, a provision has been made as part of the Heritage & Access Project for a decked viewing platform.
