On the Garroch Estate an old walled garden is being brought back to life. It is open to the public to enjoy and is intended to be a welcoming, shared space which can be used as a resource for individuals and groups. You are welcome to participate, if you wish, in the development and upkeep of the garden. There are information notices in the adjoining bothy, the outer part of which is open and can be used for shelter in wet weather. (NB there is a first aid kit available there.) Please make yourselves at home, but, naturally, you are asked to leave things as you find them.
The Garroch Estate is owned by the Roper-Colbeck family and operated by Nic Roper-Colbeck who is pleased to share the garden and the extensive network of interconnected footpaths and bridges with the public. Visit walks page.
Please note, the landowners and the volunteers who work on the garden do not accept any responsibility for the safety of users or the condition of any paths, which will vary with weather conditions. For directions, see below.
The garden has a lovely, peaceful atmosphere. A light touch approach has been adopted to enhance the garden’s natural strengths and history and biodiversity is encouraged by gardening organically.
You will be able to enjoy the benefits of the first two years’ work on the garden. This has involved the inevitable weeding, tying up and pruning roses by the walls and the establishment of allotments. The allotmenteers have already been enjoying the fruits of their labours, and we now have several more people cultivating plots, making a total of sixteen. The area which had been prepared with the help of Nick’s pigs looked very large a year ago, but it is nearly all taken up now. Twenty-four heritage roses have been planted along the length of the pergola which will grow into a wonderful display once they have properly established themselves. Soft fruits are growing in abundance, the many apple trees have been pruned and a wild-flower area is being created.
Picnic tables and chairs have been bought and make a visit so much pleasanter. On a sunny day, what could be nicer. Take a book, a picnic and unwind.
Alternatively keep an eye open for events which occur occasionally in the garden – an apple-tree pruning course, a pumpkin-growing competition (wow, you should have seen the size of the winner – just look at the photo!) and a very enjoyable apple-pressing day have already been held and are likely to be repeated.
Or plan your own event. Just let us know what you have in mind so we don’t double book.
Coming soon:
- a wild-life observation hide near the garden is under consideration by the red squirrel group
- and a compost toilet is ready and waiting to be installed, in a secluded corner of the garden, for the convenience of both gardeners and visitors as soon as we are blessed with some drier weather.
We would like to thank our sponsors at the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership for their support as part of the Exploring New Galloway project.
Directions
Car parking is available just outside the door into the garden, although no responsibility can be accepted for cars parked there.
To get there, from New Galloway, take the A762 north – signposted Ayr A762 (A713). After about 3km turn left onto the first by-road at a 90-degree bend (signposted Glenlee ½, Garroch Glens 3). Continue straight on past the power station on the Glenlee road and the Garroch Burn stone bridge. 100 metres later take the rough track on the left leading uphill through woodland, past Mill House off to the left and past the Mill pond (also on the left). Immediately after the Mill pond, turn left and proceed left again around two sides of the Walled Garden to an open parking area facing a door into the garden.
From Dalry, take the A713 (Ayr Road) north through Dalry. About 1km outside the village the road bends sharply left, go over the stone bridge and immediately take the left turn onto the A762. After 1.5km, cross the stone bridge and where the road bends sharply left, turn right (signposted Glenlee 1/2, Garroch Glens 3). Continue straight on past the power station on the Glenlee road and the Garroch Burn stone bridge. 100 metres later take the rough track on the left leading uphill through woodland, past Mill House off to the left and past the Mill pond (also on the left). Immediately after the Mill pond, turn left and proceed left again around two sides of the Walled Garden to an open parking area facing a door into the garden.
New Galloway Town Hall 