Adding sparkle to Brodick Castle gardens

A new silver-themed garden in the grounds of Brodick Castle on Arran has added a touch of sparkle to the beautiful gardens.

The Silver Garden, which reflects the castle’s extensive silver collection, is part of ongoing works to improve the visitor experience at the historic Arran castle. The garden includes four new art installations, along with a silver talking tube, xylophone and windchimes.

Among the new sculptures is a life-size statue of a stag, created by artist Sally Matthews and crafted from leaves of Arran whitebeam and bracken. The piece was inspired by the famous White Stag on Arran, a mythical creature said to have been spotted on the island on several occasions, particularly around the Lochranza area.

The garden also features 21 reflective pillars, which have been influenced by Arran’s Machrie Moor Standing Stones – six Neolithic stone circles on the west coast of the isle. A series of silver bars have been placed under the Spanish Gate, a historical feature marking the beginning of the woodland garden, which will be restored in full in the months ahead.

Brodick Castle is renowned for its silver collection, which was first gathered by English novelist William Beckford (1760–1844). Although Beckford never lived on Arran, part of his collection was inherited by the family who owned the castle.

While the garden and estate are open to the public, Brodick Castle is closed until the 2019 season. Work costing £1.5m to protect the castle from fire has concluded and the National Trust for Scotland is now undertaking a complete reorganisation and re-interpretation of the collection, spending £3 million over the next five years to enhance visitor understanding and enjoyment.