Inverewe Garden

• Immerse yourself in the award-winning Inverewe Garden and delve into a paradise of unusual and marvellous species of exotic plants, trees and shrubs.
• Learn about the tale of a father and daughter who constructed a magnificent garden in the 19th-century amongst a barren wilderness in the North West Highlands on the Atlantic coast.
• The visitor attraction is home to Scotland's big five, including the red deer, red squirrel, seal, otter and golden eagle.
• Explore Inverewe House, which is the home of Mairi Sawyer and check out the award-winning interactive museum.
• Go on an outdoor adventure and explore the Poetry Trail or Pinewood Trail, and enjoy some of the most beautiful wild scenery in Scotland.

Discover Scotland's most stunning botanical attractions with your family, and see for yourself how rare species flourish in this special area due to the the effects of the Gulf Stream. Cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, the Inverewe Garden and Estate is situated to the north of Poolewe in Wester Ross in North West Scotland. Surrounded by a rugged landscape, the historic garden is 54 acres and is surrounded by 2,000 acres of estate

Inverewe Gardens was established over 100 years ago in the middle of a barren wilderness. With a unique microclimate due to the effects of the Gulf Stream, the garden has the same latitude as Hudson Bay and Moscow. The unexpected garden features a thriving exotic plants collection from across the globe, Himalayan blue poppies, olearia from New Zealand, rare Wollemi pines, Tasmanian eucalypts and stunning variety of rhododendrons from India, China and Nepal. For rhododendrons enthusiasts, it's possible to see one in bloom everyday of the year at Inverewe Garden.

Osgood Mackenzie established and developed Inverewe Gardens out of bare rock and a few scrub willows. He bought the Inverewe Estate in 1862 at the age of 20 with financial help from his mother. The garden neighboured the Osgood family estate, and the heart of it was a peninsula protruding into Loch Ewe north of Poolowew. Osgood Mackenzie used the warm waters of the Gulf Stream to create this tropical oasis. The development of the garden was continued by Osgood Mackenzie's daughter Mairi Sawyer. In 1952, she gave the garden to the National Trust for Scotland just before her death.

There is so much for families to see and do at Inverewe Garden. Visit Mairi Sawyer's home, Inverew House, which is a short five-minute walk from the visitor centre. At the award-winning museum, you can explore the history of the garden and learn about the fascinating story of the Osgood family. Discover the many challenges the father and daughter faced gardening on the edge and discover where the plants come from. Check out what is going on at the Sawyer Gallery during your visit. A gallery for contemporary art, visitors can enjoy a variety of exhibitions that reflect the characteristics of the walled garden and its surrounding environment.

Go on a treasure hunt in search for plants and places on the Poetry Trail, which is situated in the walled garden. The Global Trail takes you on a journey around the world and provides kids with a map and passport to complete. Make sure you explore the Savage Garden with its selection of insect-eating plants, which can be found next to the pond. Children can even have a go feeding them! The Pinewood Trail and the Kernsary Path both take visitors around the estate and you can marvel at the most stunning views. Mini adventurers will love exploring the wilderness of the Scottish North West Highlands. There is over 2,000 acres to explore beyond the garden.

One of the most beautiful gardens in Scotland, Inverewe Gardens is the perfect spot to visit if you love nature.  Immerse yourself in the local wildlife and see if you can spot Scotland's big five, including red deer, otter, seal, red squirrel and golden eagle. You may even see some Californian redwoods flying above you! Enjoy a wildlife boat trip around the shores of Loch Ewe from the Inverewe Garden jetty and learn about the marine environment from Kipper Jamie.  

If you and your family enjoyed exploring these beautiful gardens, continue your Highlands adventure with a visit to the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition and Fort George, the 18th-century artillery fortification.

What to know before you go

• The garden and estate are open daily with weather permitting. The opening times of Inverewe House, the visitor centre and cafes are dependent on the time of year you go, so please check before you go.
• There are daily guided walks around Inverewe Garden during the summer season.
• In winter, the garden is lit from 4pm onwards, offering a new, enchanting and mystical perspective on the garden.
• Boat trips run from August until the end of September.
• There is a brilliant newly-refurbished welcome centre at Inverewe, which has tourist information, a boutique shop and toilets. The shop sells a lovely variety of bespoke gifts, including local produce, hand-crafted ceramic mugs and Scottish jewellery.
• Toilets are also available at the Bothy Cafe is the garden.
• Enjoy lunch at the Osgood Cafe, which serves hot and cold food and refreshments. The Bothy Cafe in the garden is a great place to grab a hot drink and snack whilst enjoying the incredible views over the Loch Ewe.
• There are baby-changing facilities available at Inverewe Garden.
• There is disabled access to the gardens and the welcome centre, cafe and shop. There is a map of the garden to show what routes are most suitable. There is a powered scooter available to borrow, which gives access to most of the garden. There are also accessible toilets.
• Only assistance dogs are permitted in the garden. There is a dog walking area next to the car park. And the 45-minute circular Pinewood Trail is dog friendly and you can see amazing views of the Inverewe, Loch Ewe and the Highlands.
• There is buggy access with ramped access to the restaurant and welcome centre.

Getting there

• If you are coming by car, Inverewe Garden is approximately a 90-minute drive from Inverness. As you drive there, you will see some breathtaking West Highland scenery.
• There is a car park available for visitors. There are also accessible parking spaces available immediately outside the welcome centre.
• Achnasheen is the nearest railway station and it is 35 miles away. From here, you would have to get a taxi.

‍