Pitmuies Gardens & Walks

Situated 8 miles from Arbroath and 7 miles from Forfar on the A932, the House of Pitmuies is a category A-listed classically-styled mansion house that dates back to the late 1500s, though the grander west-facing front is believed to date from the 1680's and was "modernised" to the 18th century standard some two hundred years later. In the grounds, a Pictish stonecross slab bears witness to an earlier period of habitation and the name "Muies" is reputed to be that of a Viking raider who was killed here. In the vicinity of the house are a "gothick" chapel-like wash house and an unusual turreted doo'cot.

The gardens, which have been a part of Scotland's Gardens (gardens open for charity) for over 70 years, is under the care of Mrs Farquhar Ogilvie who has devoted much of her time to developing the gardens.

The gardens feature a kitchen garden, with a recent addition of a formal potager; summer borders, which resemble a ravine of flowers, best seen in June and July; a rose garden, with many varieties having been grown in the garden since the 1920's; a cherry tree walk; an alpine meadow; the Vinny Garden, which was probably planted in Victorian times and is home to some very special trees, including Liriodendron tulipifera and Acer griseum; the Hornbeam walk, where you'll see a ha-ha, fine copper beeches and a pair of venerable Spanish chestnut trees.

Beyond the drive there's Black Loch where exotic Sorbus and Acers are planted and noted for their autumn colours, many of them raised from wild seed collected in Oregon and Japan. The woodland garden is planted with moisture loving plants and trees and there's a small excavated pond.