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Arduaine Garden
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Autumn colour at Arduaine depends very much on the weather during the preceding summer and while we do have a number of shrubs and trees which colour well autumn is not our most dramatic season. Arduaine is a garden of subtle changes, of small-scale pictures and you will find many delights among our late perennial collection. The larch canopy sheltering the woodland garden turms a beautiful soft yellow in autumn and provides a wonderful foli to the evergreen shrubs beneath.
Winter can be a wet and windy season at Arduaine and this is when the bulk of the heavy work is done in the garden. Frost is generally fairly light, or at least not long-lasting and snow is a less than common occurrence, thanks to our proximity to the sea, so the crisp and cold days of gardens further inland are something we rarely see. Many of the structural plants here are evergreen so on placid winter days the garden can be a warm and sheltered place.
While at Arduaine, take time also to explore the adjacent Loch Melfort Hotel, now working in close partnership with the Trust. This very comfortable Scottish country house hotel dates back to 1896 and retains many of its orginal features, so is full of character and warmth. It's a perfect base to discover the delights of the west coast around Oban, or if you are just visiting for the day, the hotel offers a wide range of meals and snacks. Chose from either the Chartroom II Bistro, with its locally-sourced food and spectacular sea views, or the more formal Arduaine restaurant (AA 2 rosette).
Arduaine is a haven for wildlife, so look out for kestrels, seals, badgers and porpoises and, for younger visitors don't miss the Highland cattle, hens and ducks in the hotel grounds, as well as enjoying the play park and a walk to the sandy beach. Further details from Calum and Rachel Ross, tel 01852 200233 or visit www.lochmelfort.co.uk
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- Trust growing Scotland’s gardening expertise
Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland is playing its part in cultivating thriving gardens across the nation, by hosting a garden conservation masterclass at 28 Charlotte Square on Thursday 11 March. more>
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- Snowdrop spotting with the Trust
Now that the deep snow is melting, it is the perfect time to search for signs that winter is ending - snowdrops – at one of the National Trust for Scotland’s stunning properties next month. more>
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