Five acres of mature gardens, woodland walks, walled garden and 18th century Doocot. Snowdrops in February,March, daffodils in April, May. Glorious display of azaleas and rhododendron in May, June. Wonderful trees and shrubs, glorious autumn colour. The garden is featured in articles in Scotsman and Scottish Field and there are good plant sales always.
The gardens are only open to visitors on Sundays and Wednesdays but the cache is close to, and available from, the suggested car park at all times.
If you do want to spend a longer time exploring the grounds then there is an honesty box for parking. What follows is a description of the walk but this is not necessary to find the cache.
Leaving the carpark, turn right along the main drive, Rhododendrons on the left, some flowering (early hybrids) and fine Giant Redwoods from North America planted around the 1870s. There are some fine Douglas, Noble and Giant firs and Western Hemlock along the drive. Snowdrops are on both sides of the drive along with many fine acers (superb autumn colour) azaleas and shrubs.
You then come to a burn and the three gates, here you get some fine views of Gargunnock House (there are guests in the house please respect their privacy)
At this point on the left look out for the pet cemetery on the right where you can read the names of many of the estate dogs and cats laid to rest after a working life. Under the Western Red Cedar there are masses of snowdrops transplanted over the last few years. Continue along the drive with azaleas on the left. This area is dominated by two massive Spanish Chestnuts and a super collection of daffodils.
The House Garden is entered under the canopy of a massive redwood, look out for the many different foliage of the rhododendrons, trees and shrubs all budded up to burst in to life in the spring. Leave the house garden under the large copper beech tree. As you leave the garden take a little time to view the Doocot built around 1775 by the Campbell Family. It is an impressive structure built of local stone most likely quarried on the Estate. It is one of the best preserved octagonal Doocots in Scotland.
Further along the drive make your way to the walled garden pass the rhododendron nursery, gardens, cottage (private), the estate shoot carpark, old inn and you then come to the walled garden.
The walled garden built around 1750 now very much in disrepair is used mainly by the Estate Gardener, Willie, as a propagation area, with fruit and vegetables. As you leave the walled garden look at the view over to the Trossachs.
Return by the same route but this time take in the short woodland walk.
Congratulations to Scottiedogz on FTF.