Innovative, naturalistic planting is the order of the day at the Aldourie Estate on the shores of Loch Ness where a visionary Tom Stuart-Smith design is maintained by head gardener Elliott Forsyth
WORDS ANTOINETTE GALBRAITH PHOTOGRAPHS RAY COX
Ten minutes into visiting the walled garden at Aldourie, the Scottish Baronial castle on the shores of Loch Ness, it becomes clear that the success of this project owes everything to a bold vision combined with the highest possible design and landscaping skills and the ongoing dedication and knowledge of a skilled head gardener and his team. It is also clear that this is a supremely happy collaboration with all contributors holding each other in the highest regard.
The vision is that of Danish-born Anders Povlsen, who arrived in 2016 determined to create a suitable setting for the castle on the loch’s southern shore. Povlsen commissioned Tom Stuart-Smith to design the gardens and architect Ptolemy Dean to build the belvedere with its view over the policies. In spring 2020 he employed head gardener Elliott Forsyth, who shares his vision for innovative, naturalistic garden design, to manage the grounds.
Dating from the 17th century, Aldourie acquired its present Scottish Baronial turreted outline in the Victorian era when a vast shelterbelt of conifers and hardwoods was planted. Fast forward 200 years, and the now mature arboretum seamlessly links the castle to the newly created 1.3-acre walled garden to the west. Stone steps embedded in the retaining wall lead into the garden where there is a pervasive sense of permanence, even though, just six years ago this space was a grassy orchard. That permanence, Elliott explains, “is due to robust dry stone walls, the level of finish, the large yew topiary, mature tree and shrub specimens. The walls and the belvedere look like they’ve been here for a long time. Anders Povlsen has great attention to detail and an eye for quality, he is committed to creating something exceptional. Everything was done to the highest standard. The best of materials and the most experienced and skilled craftsmen were used.”
Tom Stuart-Smith, who started work at Aldourie planting rhododendrons in the woodlands, explains that the garden was developed in stages. “When we began, there was just the walled garden. The glasshouses had been restored but there was a floaty feel to the site,” he says. The overall design is his, but the initial design of a circuit walk on two levels enclosing the pr
