Bowhill House and Country Park

A large nineteenth century house and park with a splendid site beside the Tweed. The landscape design is attributed to John Gilpin.

Head Gardener's Comment

The Gardens are a mixture of formal and informal areas set around the House. To the south there are large terraces which were designed by W S Gilpin in 1831. These form a backdrop and give stunning views across the Ettrick Valley. From here, the upper and lower lochs are also visible; these were man made to complement the landscape. This enclosed area also contains a rose garden, formal flower borders, a rock garden and a heather bed which was laid out as a memorial to a Buccleuch son killed in an accident in 1886.

The area around the front door of the House is less formal, with rhododendrons opposite and areas of lawn to either side. These are planted with daffodils and left till June before being cut back to allow the following years flowers to form. In this area there is also a bank of deciduous azaleas which flower in late May.

At the east end of the House is the Sunken Garden. This is planted with bulbs for spring colour and is currently being renovated to leave planting space for a selection of specimen trees to form a small arboretum. These trees will give year-round interest, with spring and autumn colour, flowers and berries.

The walled garden and glasshouses are not open to the public but are still used today to produce plants for the House and garden.