Burgie Arboretum

Globetrotting gardeners are in for a treat at Burgie Arboretum, where there’s not one, not two, but 12 different planting zones. From the serenity of the Japanese garden to the Neotropical planting of the South American region, plants from all corners of the world have found a home here.

But things weren’t always so rosy. In the 1970s, the woodland was ravaged by a bad case of Dutch Elm disease. Luckily, these days Burgie Arboretum is resplendent in year-round colour and the waterfall that cascades into an old disused quarry adds a splash of drama to this tranquil setting. The young woodland is a firm hit among dog walkers, nature lovers and forest bathers who can expect to see Oak, Eucalyptus, Lime, Alder, Birch and Tilia, as well as a variety of unusual species from across the globe.

But it’s not just the woodland and sheer diversity of planting that makes this place special. As climate change threatens Scotland’s native flora and fauna, Hamish Lochore has been using his family estate to experiment with and plant climate-resistant species, so you can be sure that this garden will be around for generations to come.