Ellon Castle Gardens
Schoolhill Road
Ellon AB41 9AH
On Sunday, the green lawns of Ellon Castle Gardens will host an Apple Day when fruit from the 60 heritage apple trees that line the ancient walls will be on show. The day will be a celebration of autumn’s plenty, with visitors enjoying champagne cider and honey from local producers.
Trees have grown in this place for centuries and alongside the apples there are 19 magnificent English yews that are believed to be more than 800 years old.
This is a very old garden, its roots reach back to the 15th century when the first castle was built on the site. It wasn’t until the 18th century, however, that the gardens reached their present size of nine acres and during this time they were some of the most important of their kind in Scotland.
They flourished against a backdrop of both political unrest and personal upheavals, when ownership of the castle passed through many hands, until after a long decline the castle, which had been built to replace the original construction, fell into disrepair and the gardens became overgrown.
Alongside formal lines of clipped trees, the gardens also contain an A-listed sundial, with 24 facets, which has recently been restored and there is also a lily pond and there are also rumours of a secret tunnel, which was once used for smuggling brandy to the castle from the River Ythan, although an entrance to this is yet to be found.
Fruity Fun
It’s not just at Ellon Castle that you can discover more about Scotland’s fruits, Apple Days are taking place across the country this month with lots of opportunities to identify, taste and even squeeze the juices from the pick of the crop.
The 400-year-old orchard at Falkland Palace in Fife will be the location on Saturday, October 5 when, as well as finding out more about the heritage varieties that grow here, visitors will also have a chance to buy young trees.
On the same day, The Caley will be holding a similar event in Saughton Park, Edinburgh and on Friday, October 11 and Saturday, 12 Harmony Garden in Melrose will be having an Apple Weekend, with lots of activities planned over the course of the two days.
Also on Saturday, October 12, while, Amisfield Walled Garden in Haddington will be showing off its fruit trees while staff chop and press this year’s crop into delicious, fresh juice, the arts-and-crafts surroundings of Kellie Castle gardens in Fife will be the setting for a day of apple-based activities and lectures.
Details:
The gardens are open on Tuesdays, Wednesday, Saturdays and Sundays - 11am - 3pm
Tickets - Adults £5/Children Free, info@ellencastlegardens.net, www.elloncastlegardens.net
In association with Discover Scottish Gardens www.discoverscottishgardens.org
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