The Great Highland Plant Hunt

Loch Ness

 Above the clouds at Torran, Loch Ness

  We've been away up north for a few days break. Inevitably that includes a bit of plant retail therapy. The area round Loch Ness is a place we visited for many years ( no sign of any monsters when I remember to look!) and is the home to some of the best plant places. Most of them as nurseries as many  grow their own plants and don't carry the endless tatt associated with many garden centres.

 These are the goodies we bought...

And these are the places we bought them....

Highland Liliums on the way to Beauly. If it wasn't so well sign posted it would be very difficult to find. Great selection of plants, well laid out and so inviting. Not expensive but good quality plants. Visit their site at :http://www.highlandliliums.co.uk/

Ardfearn Nursery founded by plant hunter Jim Sutherland and run with his son Alistair. This is the first nursery that I had ever come across using an impressive drip watering system. Their plants are always in great condition with no weeds. They specialise in alpines. the lastes addition to the centre is a coffe shop which was very welcome. You can find them at:http://www.ardfearn-nursery.co.uk/

We saved our old favourite Abriachan until last. We visited very early in the morning on our way home. The garden is wonderful wending it's way up the hillside above Loch Ness. I'm sure they've added quite a bit since we last visited. The sales area is also very tempting and there is an extensive range of auriculas. (I forgot to photograph the display in my haste to buy) See their site at: http://www.lochnessgarden.com/