June 4. We spent most of the afternoon in the walled garden at Blair Castle, less than a mile from our bed and breakfast. This is an outstanding nine-acre walled garden (titled the Hercules Garden, in honor of a life-sized statue of Hercules overlooking the garden) with a pond in the center, a Chinese Bridge, a cottage “folly,” an orchard with over 100 fruit tress (including many espalier trees along the walls), and an impressive herbaceous flower border along the walking path. The castle grounds also include a ruined kirk, a red deer park, and a gothic folly overlooking the countryside. The walled garden was originally laid out in the 18th century, subsequently fell into ruins in the 20th century, and in the last two decades has been magnificently restored. . . . (to be continued, once I finish transcribing and editing my handwritten travel journal). ~Bob
During a recent 18-day trip to Scotland, I had the opportunity to enjoy the flora of the Scottish highlands while also visiting several public and private flower gardens. Copied below are passages from my travel journal, recording observations during visits to the walled garden at Blair Castle (near Blair Atholl), the Cluny House Garden (located between Pitlochry and Aberfeldy) and Greenbank Garden (a National Trust garden in a suburb south of Glasgow).
June 4. We spent most of the afternoon in the walled garden at Blair Castle, less than a mile from our bed and breakfast. This is an outstanding nine-acre walled garden (titled the Hercules Garden, in honor of a life-sized statue of Hercules overlooking the garden) with a pond in the center, a Chinese Bridge, a cottage “folly,” an orchard with over 100 fruit tress (including many espalier trees along the walls), and an impressive herbaceous flower border along the walking path. The castle grounds also include a ruined kirk, a red deer park, and a gothic folly overlooking the countryside. The walled garden was originally laid out in the 18th century, subsequently fell into ruins in the 20th century, and in the last two decades has been magnificently restored. . . . (to be continued, once I finish transcribing and editing my handwritten travel journal). ~Bob
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April 2024
Who is Bob?
A Kansas farm boy, married to a Kansas farm girl. During his first 35 years at Coe, he directed the Writing Center, served as coordinator of the WAC Program, founded the Rhetoric Department, and taught over 25 different writing courses. Since retiring in August of 2014 he has been trying to learn how to become a gardener. |