This is Castle Kennedy as seen from the walled garden. The walled garden has subsequently been altered and is now a bit more formal in design than when I first visited in 1989.

The grounds include two castles, the one you can see which was burned down in 1716 (whilst the home of the 2nd Earl of Stair) why, how or by whom I do not know.

The garden walk is about two miles long between two lochs and at the opposite end from the old castle is Lochinch Castle completed in 1864 and is the home of the present Earl and Countess of Stair, there is also a sunken garden to be seen.

In the walled garden there is a pieris (known as a "flame" bush because of its bright red leaves on new growth) which is over eight feet tall, on the north east coast, where I live, this would struggle to two/three feet tall and probably shrivel and need to be cut back following the first cold wind.

The garden grounds includes rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and embothriums which give an excellent colour in late May and June.

There is a monkey-puzzle avenue and also a two acre circular lily pond.

The garden has the usual facilities, refreshments with seating both inside and outside, area for plant puchases and excellent tree cover if the dog is in the car, although they do allow dogs in the grounds provided they are on the lead.

It can be a fairly long walk if you want to see everything, an "energetic carer" is needed for wheelchair disabled, to cater for some of the inclines, but do not let this put you off from visiting as I do think its a lovely place to see.

ernest.wilson@virgin.net