Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: TC on May 25, 2008, 12:29:15 AM

Title: Geilston Garden
Post by: TC on May 25, 2008, 12:29:15 AM

We combined this with a visit to Glenarn at Rhu and the Hill House at Helensburgh.  Geilston is one of these hidden gems that are not well known.  The current house and garden were started in 1797 on the site of a previous dwelling.  The owners took advantage of the new introductions coming from the USA and Far East in the 1800's.  There is nothing unusual grown in the way of plants but it is such a beautiful place to wander round on a Spring day.
As usual, plant labels are few and far between, so I have just taken "pretty pictures" to give you a flavour.

Title: Re: Geilston Garden
Post by: TC on May 25, 2008, 12:32:57 AM

some more

Title: Re: Geilston Garden
Post by: TC on May 25, 2008, 12:34:08 AM

Last few

Title: Re: Geilston Garden
Post by: art600 on May 25, 2008, 01:40:13 AM

Tom

Thank you for sharing this wonderful garden with us.  Do you know how large it is?

Title: Re: Geilston Garden
Post by: ranunculus on May 25, 2008, 07:04:34 AM

Lovely garden, lovely pictures...many thanks Tom.

Title: Re: Geilston Garden
Post by: TC on May 25, 2008, 07:38:53 AM

Quote from: art600 on May 25, 2008, 01:40:13 AM

Tom

Thank you for sharing this wonderful garden with us.  Do you know how large it is?

I am not much good at estimating acreage but it is probably about 300 yards deep by 800 yards wide with an old mill stream meandering through it.  There is also a vegetable garden as large as a football pitch. Although I had driven by this garden for over 46 years, it is so set back and sheltered from the main road that it is hidden.  It was left to the National Trust for Scotland about 10 years ago.  Reading the "blurb" about it, there has been a house here since the 1600's.  The most famous occupant in 1800 was Sir John Moore, made famous in the poem, who was killed at the battle of Corunna in the Spanish peninsular wars.  Although seemingly wild, the garden is not overgrown as it is tended by a staff of gardeners and volunteers.
Walking round it is easy as there are no hills or steep slopes.

Title: Re: Geilston Garden
Post by: Casalima on May 25, 2008, 07:52:36 AM

Very lovely, Tom!!

Chloë

Title: Re: Geilston Garden
Post by: hadacekf on May 25, 2008, 10:26:54 AM

Tom,
Beautiful garden, super pictures.
I visited Glenarn at Rhu twice many years ago

Title: Re: Geilston Garden
Post by: Paul T on June 14, 2008, 02:19:50 AM

Tom,

Beautiful!!!!  What a wonderful garden.  Not many like that around here, that is for sure!  ::)  Thanks for sharing the pics (and apologies for being so late in viewing them..... will take me weeks to catch up on everything I think).

All the best!  :D

Title: Re: Geilston Garden
Post by: Paddy Tobin on June 14, 2008, 07:44:13 PM

"Pretty pictures" indeed Tom.

Great show, Paddy