Linn Botanic Gardens,

[Maggi Young]

Linn Botanic Gardens
Linn Botanic Gardens are situated at the head of Cove Bay on the west side of Rosneath peninsula. Over the water to the south are the hills of Arran and to the west the hills of the Cowal peninsula.
The development of the present gardens dates from 1970 and they now house a diverse collection of temperate plants. Features include a burn with waterfalls, formal and informal ponds, an open heath for New Zealand plants and a collection of insect catching plants. The centre of the gardens is dominated by a substantial cliff enabling fine views over much of the plantings. Among the more notable collections are ferns, bamboos, Magnolias and Rhododendrons.

Getting there:
From Loch Lomond take A817 to Coulport via Whistlefield roundabout. Then follow loch-side road to Cove. From Arrochar take A814 to Whistlefield roundabout then take Coulport road. Then follow loch-side road to Cove.

FACILITIES: Guided tours and parties by arrangement. Plants for sale.

(From:   www.gardens-of-argyll.co.uk/view-details.php?id=491)



Contact Information
Opening Dates:
1st January - 31st December
Opening Times:
Seasonal opening hours, please phone for details
Contact:    Jim Taggart
Tel:    01436 842242
Email:    Jimtaggartroot5@gmail.com

Address:    Cove, By Helensburgh, Argyll, G84 0NR

[Maggi Young]

Scotland off the beaten track

Thousands of exciting places, walks & hidden gems helping you plan your holidays in Scotland


"Fans of perfectly tended, formal gardens look away now... Linn Botanic Gardens on the peaceful Rosneath Peninsula may have been immaculate once upon a time, but more recently nature seems to have had the upper hand. But there's still beauty in these bushes if you're patient enough to overlook overgrown paths and untidy borders. A map leaflet (usually available upon arrival) and 50 numbered waymarkers guide you around the varied landscape, taking in a glen and waterfall, bamboo garden, ponds, Alpine lawn and rhododendron plantings surrounding a dilapidated old villa, though following the correct route isn't always straightforward. It's a refreshing from the heavily manicured gardens elsewhere in Scotland - but you can't help thinking another set of green fingers might transform the place."

June 2018

https://www.sobt.co.uk/2018/06/linn-botanic-gardens.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR1Uoc0F7cegP6yh6x97sZ4Qd3u5ZPYaGx8hhoOqdaXAkUiZ-FlTsGYAmAo







As can be deduced from the article cited, the Linn is in need of  more care than is  possible  at the moment....
It is hard to keep up such a large collection of plants almost single handed. We suspect that volunteers who could help out with practical work - repairs to gates, on paths, steps etc. would be welcome. This would free up skilled garden helpers to concentrate on their specialist work. At the moment perhaps not a garden for large group visits - but not one that should be missed for individual visitors or small groups.

[Maggi Young]

 Linn Botanic Gardens: A Scottish Arcadia – in pictures

A hidden gem on the shores of Loch Long, Linn Botanic Gardens is a haven for almost 4,000 species of plant; a magical place where the air seems almost green. The writer Philip Hoare takes us on a tour of this ecological marvel....

"In 2011, the artist Alison Turnbull  ( https://www.alison-turnbull.com/  )   invited me to visit a remarkable, hidden botanic garden on the Rosneath peninsula, overshadowed by the mountains of western Scotland, and surrounded by the deep waters of Loch Long and Gare Loch, at the mouth of the former industrial waterway of the Firth of Clyde."

Philip Hoare
Oct 2015

https://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2015/oct/15/linn-botanic-gardens-scottish-in-pictures-philip-hoare?fbclid=IwAR3JwowTs83UWDHuXCwnUXIm-DEytxrkWt4nDoHvF9uEAckmZLznIURUMFY

[johnralphcarpenter]

Its wonderful, but he isn't getting any younger and it must be a real challenge to maintain the place.

[Maggi Young]

Yes, Ralph, as can be deduced from  one of the articles cited, the Linn is in need of  more care than is  possible  at the moment....
It is hard to keep up such a large collection of plants almost single handed. We suspect that volunteers who could help out with practical work - repairs to gates, on paths, steps etc. would be welcome. This would free up skilled garden helpers to concentrate on their specialist work. At the moment perhaps not a garden for large group visits - but not one that should be missed for individual visitors or small groups.

[majallison]

I had a wonderful visit to Linn a couple of weeks ago, late in September, a real treasure trove & a remarkable place.

[PeterT]

I am sorry to have to tell the world that My father, Jim Taggart, (Dr James Taggart) died yesterday morning in bed at my house.
Since my brothers death in Vietnam he set about a backlog of work in The Linn, initially with a lot of help with my sister. However, in the past couple of years he neglected himself very badly, and the garden there has deteriated again as he became ill. There has been much estrangement in my very dysfunctional family, and I had no input in the place while my brother was in charge. Bridges were built though, and I spent a lot of the past couple of years with my father.
He was admitted to hospital delirious, and in a very weak state, having refused medical help. He was diagnosed with self neglect from dementia but I feel that many of the symptoms were part of his character. For two or three weeks he was nearly back to full lucidity when he came to stay with me. In the past few months he had really moved on from The Linn, and called my house home. I suppose my happiest memory of this period is seeing him in the window, watching for me in my new garden which he was keen to sponsor, and never regained the strength to work in

[johnralphcarpenter]

So sad. Deepest condolences. What will happen to this horticultural gem now?

[Maggi Young]

Terribly sad  news for you, Peter. We  know how much you  have  done  for  your  Father - and the  Linn.  Sincere condolences  on  the  death  of  Jim.

[PeterT]

Thanks Maggie, John. Please share this post wherever you think appropriate Maggie.

I'm sorry to have been out of the forum for so long. I may have a little more time soon.

[Maggi Young]

This article  is  from 2015  about  Jim and The  Linn ...
https://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2015/oct/15/linn-botanic-gardens-scottish-in-pictures-philip-hoare

[PeterT]

The summer house was given back to me by a neighbour for whom I used to work 30 years ago, when I finished digging the pond where it sits. This was while Jaimie was at college or Benmore, before he took charge of The Linn.
My father mended it and gave it a new roof. It used to be at the end of the tennis court which became the long pond at The Linn when we moved there. It had a circular track so that it could spin on wheels. We had towed it to the other end of the top garden. Then, the man who sold us The Linn wanted to take it to where he built a house next door.  18 years later it came back from there to decorate the newly made pond. Originally it came from Wemyss bay, I think.

[PeterT]

My Father's funeral is to be on Saturday, July 6th, Craigrownie Church, Cove & Kilcreggan, sevice at 10:30 a.m. followed by burial at the Barbour cemetery, and refreshments supplied by the Green Kettle tearoom, Portincaple, Garelochhead, Tea will be in the Gibson Hall Garelochhead, from 12, due to the number of people likely to be there

[McGinty]

A fitting funeral took place for Dr Jim Taggart near the Linn Gardens on Saturday 6th July. It was very well attended by people who had known him.  Just over 60 family, friends, neighbours and colleagues attended the wake. Even more people were at the service in Craigrownie, his local church and the committal in Barbour Cemetery. Jim's daughter, others in the family and Friends of The Linn Botanic Gardens will endeavour to ensure the garden has a fitting future.

[Maggi Young]

Many will be aware that the Linn was bought and is being retored - garden and houses, by Matthew Young and his family. ( No relation to me or Ian)  Matthew has been posting regularly about progress  on Twitter and last Friday featured on Gardeners World.  And " the3growbags  " - sisters with a great love of gardening, have also posted about the appearancee on GW  and a visit they made to the Linn last year  ( travelling to speak to Helensburgh and Gareloch Horticultural Society)
https://the3growbags.com/garden-reviews/scotland/linn-botanical-garden-helensburgh/
Those in the UK will be able to find the GW film  on TV, and there may be something on Youtube as well.