Submission Details ------------------
Nominee Summary
The Ardkinglas Woodland Garden combines a unique collection of trees, rhododendrons and azaleas with woodland walks, family attractions and historic ruins. In recent years the team at Ardkinglas Estate, who own the garden, have worked hard to add features and facilities to the garden to broaden its appeal and attract an increasing number of visitors. Visitor numbers increased by over 1,200 between 2024 and 2025, reaching over 7,300 paying visitors per year. There is room for many more and winning the award will help to spread the word about this 'hidden gem.'
What makes your nominee stand out?
Within its 16 acres, the garden hosts 5 Champion Trees (the tallest or broadest of their species) including the European Silver Fir, part of The Queen’s Green Canopy, a nationwide network Woodlands and Ancient Trees to dedicated to Her late Majesty. In May and June, the garden is a riot of colours created by the flowering rhododendrons and azaleas. A treat for horticulturists, the gardens are enjoyed by locals and visitors from far and wide, who love exploring the various paths and features. The colours, wildlife (including a healthy population of red squirrels) and views change throughout the seasons. The river Kinglas flows through the gardens and being a spate river changes the sights and sounds within the garden daily. Rising from sea level to approx. 57m above, the garden boast views down Loch Fyne from the top of the garden and sheltered areas at ground level. At ground level is the Fairy Trail (popular with the very young) while further up, for the more adventurous there is the Gruffalo Trail based around the Scot’s language version of the popular Julia Donaldson story plus the Snakey Slide. The Garden is enjoyed by the surrounding community and is linked to other attractions and businesses in the area via a community walking path from the main village of Cairndow to the head of Loch Fyne. It is used by the local childcare facility for outdoor activities, free of charge. Open all year from dawn to dusk – unique in this area.
Changes that have been implemented
Improvement to the shrub and tree collection have been made by the full-time Gardener including using air-layering techniques to create a new colourful and scented area within the Woodland garden. – The Glade.
Surveying the trees using the latest technology and expertise to ensure the health and maintenance of the trees.
Introduction of family friendly features to encourage all ages and all-round year-round visitors – The Fairy Trail, Snakey Slide, Gruffalo trail.
Putting on events such as story telling, foraging, and guided tours.
Promoting the garden to tour operators.
Installing specially commissioned metal benches around the garden.
Removing steps where possible to provide step free routes and increase accessibility.
Promoting season tickets for regular visitors (with a reduced price for locals).
Providing information about the garden and the area at the entrance point, including how the garden is maintained and the uniqueness of the collection.
Using social media to promote the Garden and generate feedback, comments and imagery
Overcoming challenges
Financing the garden maintenance and development is an ongoing challenge for the Estate and is managed by diverting income from other areas of the Estate. As well as employing a full-time gardener, specialist tree surgeons are periodically required to survey the trees and take down any dead or failing trees to reduce the risk of accidental injury.
The marketing and administration of the gardens is done by the Estate Office at a cost covered by the estate.
Entrance fees help towards these costs but there are challenges around collecting the fees as the entrance is only staffed during the summer months and not every day. Online payment methods are available and well sign posted and most visitors do pay though there is a noticeable difference between when the kiosk in staffed and when not. Convincing visitors to pay every time is a challenge.
Accessibility – making the garden fully accessible to all given its hillside terrain is a challenge which has been partly met by rerouting paths but there is still work to be done.
