Ardkinglas Woodland Garden History - Page 1

The earliest references to horticulture at Ardkinglas date back to the 14th. century when an orchard and culinary garden were in operation close to the Ardkinglas House of the time. Woodland Management was first referred to towards the end of the 18th century. At this time the timber plantations included Larch, Beech, Elm, Lime and Silver Fir.

Access to the Highlands improved in the 19th century bringing with it the first signs of tourism. The most famous visitor to Ardkinglas in these times being Dorothy Wordsworth (1771-1855) who apparently could be found wandering through the estate and admiring the woods at Ardkinglas.

In Victorian times the Woodland Garden, like many other gardens in Britain, was the site of the introduction of many new coniferous species which had arrived on our shores courtesy of the famous plant-hunters of the day. At this time the Laird of Ardkinglas was James Henry Callander, a descendent of the Campbells of Ardkinglas. It is assumed that the Callander family were responsible for the establishment of the Ardkinglas pinetum which today, in maturity, supports many of the gardens Champion Trees.

In 1905, Sir Andrew Noble acquired the Estate. Records show that many plants were purchased by the estate in the 1920’s and this resulted in the establishment of a collection of Rhododendrons in the Woodland Garden. The range of available plant species continued to increase as a result of the activities of the next generation of plant-hunters. The shade and shelter at Ardkinglas provided ideal conditions for the culture of many of these.

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