Just before the storms really hit, and in a rare break from thundering rain, Baby Wild & I spent a great morning exploring the private gardens of the Blair estate in Dalry. The castle dates back to 1105, & is the oldest continually inhabited mansion house in Scotland that has not been rebuilt, and is still privately owned by descendants of the founding family. The gardens are normally closed to the public although you can walk around the grand estate all year round. Once a year however the holds the Annual Garden Open day, a charity day raising funds for the SGS Charities, CLIC Sargent and The Glasgow Passion. There are marquees hosting teas & coffees, a plant stall, kids face painting and home baking, but unfortunately we were too early for these!
Besides being a great morning out and about for both of us, on a more selfish level I was keen to go & simply to see what grew locally, and steal ideas for my own wee garden.
So off we troddled, setting out early to try and avoid the inevitable rain. We were the first to arrive which gave us the pleasure off having the gardens all to ourselves. I thoroughly loved imagining living there myself and having such stunning grounds complete with swimming pool and the croquet lawn as my own playground!
Baby Wild was nuts about the Bombo Burn (which was more of a torrent due to all the rain we're getting this month) so we spent quite a lot of time throwing leaves & sticks in from the quaint various bridges crossing at intervals.
While I wandered around looking for the fossilised tree, dog's grave and other hidden treasures, Baby Wild could not be tempted away from the puddles, splashing around in her brand new wellies, as toddlers do I guess.
I really admired how although overall the gardens are quite manicured, there is a great harmony between the cultivated and wild, growing alongside each other in complimentary colours.
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Having spoken to both the owners of the estate and playing with their dogs, Baby Wild takes a break from the long walk on their door step. |
We must have walked a couple of miles doing laps of the castle and stable grounds. There was plenty to capture Baby Wild's attention, places to hide, splash and roll down, as well as giant fowls to chase and terrify her mother with! I'm glad we were there so early and had the place to ourselves as well as getting to chat with both the owners and gardener, but this means I can't advise about the marquees which were being set up as we arrived. But I'll definitely be back next year, and think I'd better take Gran & Grandpa Native too next time.
Logistics / 10
baby friendly 4
toddler friendly 8
toilets/changing 5 (there are portaloos)
accessibility 10
car parking free
cost £4.50 adults, kids under 5 free
