Pitmedden Gardens is a National Trust Garden 14 miles north of Aberdeen.
“Pitmedden is a 17th-century walled garden on two levels. Original garden pavilions with ogival roofs look down on an elaborate spectacle of four rectangular boxwood parterres flanked by fine herbaceous borders and espalier-trained apple trees on south and west-facing granite walls. An avenue of yew obelisks runs from east to west and up to 30,000 bedding plants add to the wow factor of this immaculately kept formal garden.”
Scotland’s Gardens
“Cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Brilliant 17th-century design and meticulous maintenance give Pitmedden Garden its unique charm. With almost 6 miles of clipped box hedging, colourful parterres, over 200 fruit trees, and the sweet scents of honeysuckle and jasmine, Pitmedden really is a delight for the senses.
VisitScotland
It’s hard to imagine a garden today being planted on such an extravagant scale. The heart of the property is the formal walled parterre garden. There are also extensive herbaceous borders with an abundance of colour and scent. Fountains, topiary, sundials and a fascinating herb garden add to the sense of discovery. The surrounding woods are a haven for birds and other wildlife.
Be amazed at over 30,000 annual bedding plants that make up the colourful designs, and explore the woodlands around the garden on the waymarked trail. The picnic area is an ideal spot to stop for lunch, and you can even enjoy a game of boules on our pétanque piste. The adjacent Museum of Farming Life boasts an extensive collection of domestic and agricultural artefacts.”
“Discover 165 continuous miles of dramatic clifftops, enchanting coves, paradise beaches, charming towns and marvellous wildlife on the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail.
This four day itinerary features just a few of the great attractions you can visit on Scotland’s beautiful north-east coast. Download the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail leaflet to find all the amazing things there are to see and do along the trail. Why not explore some of Aberdeen’s top-rated hidden gems along the way?Day 1: St Cyrus and Stonehaven
Day 2: Balmedie, Cruden Bay and Rattray
Day 3: Crimond, Fraserburgh and Macduff
Day 4: Macduff, Banff and Portsoy
For further details, go to the VisitScotland website”
VisitScotland
“Founded in 1990, Howies is a family owned restaurant collection based in Scotland.
‘Scottish, seasonal & seriously tasty’ is how we like to describe our menus and we’ve been cooking up a storm using the very best Scottish produce for over 25 years! Our menus evolve with the seasons and feature traditional Scottish dishes, seasonal fresh fish and game as well as seriously tasty vegetarian and vegan options.”
Howies Website
A Mercat Cross is the Scots name for the market cross found frequently in Scottish cities, towns and villages where historically the right to hold a regular market or fair was granted by the monarch, a bishop or a baron. It therefore served a secular purpose as a symbol of authority, and was an indication of a burgh’s relative prosperity.
“The Mercat Cross was the traditional heart of the burgh.
At the cross new monarchs were proclaimed: a locked staircase led from ground level to the top where announcements were made. The symbolism in making the announcement from this spot was important to the Jacobites and on the 20th of September 1715, the Old Pretender was declared king at the Mercat Cross.
Designed and made from sandstone by John Montgomery in 1686 and built, excluding the cost of the materials, for a fee of £1200. The decorative hexagonal base features six arches with pillars at each corner, animal gargoyles and medallions. Ten of the twelve medallions illustrate Stewart monarchs; namely James I to James V, Mary Queen of Scots, James VI, Charles I and II and James VII, with the remaining two showing the Royal arms and the burgh’s arms.
Positioned above the parapet on a Corinthian capital is the white marble unicorn with a gilded horn. The shaft and unicorn are replacements from the mid 1990s; the originals are on display in the Tolbooth.”
VisitAberdeenshire
St Andrew’s Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church. It is the see of the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney.
The original building was designed in the perpendicular Gothic style by the architect Archibald Simpson, one of the main architects of Edinburgh New Town, and is one of Simpson’s many commissions in the city. While three sides of the Cathedral were built out of the usual local granite, for which Aberdeen is famous, the facade of the structure, facing King Street, was built from sandstone.
