Shambellie Walled GardenNine years ago Sheila Cameron took the lease of an overgrown and long-neglected walled garden on the outskirts of New Abbey village, Dumfriesshire. Over the years she has – almost single-handedly – removed hundreds of trees, torrents of brambles, repointed walls, laid paths, planted beds, taken down and reconstructed a Victorian greenhouse to create an acre of enclosed paradise.
What is also amazing is that her enterprise has been self-funded – visitors are asked, via an honesty box to contribute a mere £2.50. This is a garden which deserves to be better known. The garden is exactly a Scottish acre and enclosed by walls which are curved at the corners.
Dumfries and Galloway is well known for its public gardens (Glenwhan, Threave, Craigieburn, RBG Logan, Castle Kennedy etc.) however well-known horticulturalist
Allen Patterson is bringing attention to lesser-known public and private gardens in the area through his leadership of visits.
Allen is former
Director of RBG Canada and
Chelsea Physic Garden who has retired to the area.
Visits are planned over the summer and autumn if you are interested – and they are bound to be popular – then more details about the gardens and itinerary can be obtained by dropping an email to
enquiries@cavens.com – please mention SRGC.
(edit by maggi - I have rotated the photos for you, Frazer)
