*************
Garden Owners,
Please copy this information and paste it into an email to:   wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com

Please make any changes in BRIGHT RED in your email back to us.

Regards,
Armchair Travel Co Ltd
http://www.armchair-travel.com
*************



Garden Name: Cawdor Castle
Last Modified: 26/01/2011
Garden ID: 0166

pic: 0166_cawdor.jpg

Owner: The Dowager Countess Cawdor
Address:
Cawdor
Nairn
Highland
Postcode: IV12 5RD
County: Scotland

tel: 01667 404401
fax: 01667 404 674
website: www.cawdorcastle.com
email: info {at} cawdorcastle.com

Features: 
Romantic castle, dating from the 14th century, overlooking an intimate series of beautifully kept gardens and extensive woodland.
Visit Scotland Grade *****

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
1st May - 2nd Oct; 7 Days a week; 10am - 5.30pm with last admission to castle at 5pm

Best Times of Year to Visit: 


To see: 


National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: Welcome

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments: Preferably 

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Adult £9; Child (5-15) £5.50; Over 60s & Disabled £8; Student £8; Family (2A +5C) £27
Adult parties (+20) £7.50; Children's parties £5; 
Gardens, Grounds & Nature Trail: £5
Adult season Castle & Gardens (£35); Gardens only (£25).
9-hole Golf Course Day Ticket (£10)
Putting Green - (£2.50 per round)

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: No
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: No

Other Facilities:
Nature walks, 9 hole golf course and putting green.


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
In 1981 Lord Cawdor decided to remodel the kitchen garden and plant a holly maze. The pattern for this was taken from a design set in the mosaic floor of the ruined Roman villa of Conimbriga in Portugal, and which in classical form depicts the Minotaur's labyrinth at Knossos in Crete, a conundrum devised, mythologically, by Daedelus. In the second half of the garden is a paradise garden, knot garden and a thistle garden, as well as an orchard that has been planted with old Scottish fruit trees.

The flower garden was originally designed for enjoyment in late summer and autumn, but this garden's season has been extended to give pleasure from early spring, with bulbs, bedding plants, herbaceous borders, ornamental trees and shrubs all providing delight. The wild garden on the stream bank of the Cawdor Burn gives another contrast; and beyond, conveniently marked paths lead in to Cawdor wood: a mixed forest that is one of the finest and most beautiful in Europe.


History: 
The castle dates from the 14th century and has been lived in by the family in a direct line ever since. The Cawdors have been keen gardeners over generations.

The oldest garden north east of the castle was enclosed with walls and bastions in 1620, and cultivated in the old-fashioned manner where soft-fruit, flowers and vegetables and orchards were mingled closely together. The flower garden, south of the castle, was laid out a full century later, again in the old style. Later still, in 1850, Lady Cawdor added the oval rose-beds, edged with lavender, thus changing the framework towards formality.

Local Inns: 
Cawdor Tavern

Accomodation: 
Golf View Hotel, Nairn
Clifton House Hotel, Nairn
Claymore House Hotel, Nairn

Restaurants: 
Boath House, Auldearn
Classroom, Nairn

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Nairn - 5 miles
Inverness - 14 miles