Benmore Botanic Garden
One of the most popular natural attractions in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland is the Benmore Botanic Garden. It forms part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and is located in the Cowal Peninsula, on the road between Lock Eck and Dunoon. A natural river runs through the garden, providing the plants and trees with water, and creating a tranquil and picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy. It is a garden like no other, with an unforgettable entrance that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
On entering the Benmore Botanic Garden, which fills an area of approximately a hundred and twenty acres, visitors will walk down an avenue of massive Giant Redwoods that is nothing short of breathtaking. Some of the trees in the avenue stand higher than forty-five meters and are almost a hundred and fifty years old, being planted in 1863. Some of the plants and trees in the garden are older and have grown to be impressive monuments of history. Impeccably manicured lawns and gardens form a sea of color and vegetation as far as the eye can see, and the garden is magnificent all year round. During the spring months, the azaleas and rhododendrons are in full bloom, while autumn foliage showcases an exhibit of rich browns and oranges, and in summer, the eucryphias come alive with color. Included amongst the three hundred different plant species available in the garden, is Chilean Glade plantings as well as Bhutanese. The layout of the garden can be explored by way of bridges, gravel pathways and trails that lead visitors to the edges of the garden’s hills. Waterfalls and ponds complete the garden, as does the lookout point that overlooks the Holy Loch and is at a height of four hundred and fifty feet.
The Benmore Botanic Garden is also home to the Courtyard Gallery. After visitors have explored the magnificence of the gallery and the beauty of the gardens, they are invited to enjoy refreshments at the onsite restaurant. Those who are inspired by the gardens and want to try to create a small paradise at home will find numerous helpful books and related materials in the gift shop. Guided tours and audio tours of the garden are available, as well as a guide book for those who prefer to explore the garden at their own leisure.
