Arduaine Garden

Arduaine Garden lies on a rocky promontory at the head of the Sound of Jura, 20 miles south of Oban, begun in 1898 by the tea planter James Arthur Campbell and warmed by the North Atlantic Drift so plants from East Asia, the Himalaya and South America thrive this far north. The Wright brothers nursed it back from neglect from 1971 and gave it to the National Trust for Scotland in 1992, and it is known for rhododendrons and magnolias in spring, giant Himalayan lilies, tree ferns, camellias and water lilies, with ponds in the lower garden and a path climbing to a viewpoint over Asknish Bay and the islands. Reviewers love the loch views from both the shore and the hilltop, the staff and the immaculate toilets. Tips from visitors: the lower garden is level enough for pushchairs and wheelchairs but the upper paths are steep, storm damage is still being cleared, the neighbouring hotel car park has EV chargers, and dogs are welcome on a short lead.