Dawyck Botanic Garden

📌 Stobo, Scottish Borders
★★★

This woodland garden in the Manor Hills southwest of Peebles is one of three rural outposts of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Its inland location, north facing and over 200 metres above sea level gives it something approaching a continental climate, unusual in Scotland, with cold winters sometimes approaching -20°C and warm, dry summers. This allows an interesting array of plants to thrive such as Himalayan blue poppies, North American firs and redwood trees. Other highlights include the resplendent Azalea Terrace (bursting with colour in early June), the photogenic Dutch Bridge over the tumbling Scrape Burn, views across Tweeddale from the wide Beech Walk, and several thoughtfully placed sculptures. The 60 acre site is a hilly one, requiring at least a few hours to explore properly – though if short of time, most of the best parts are lower down and around the central burn.