Scottish Borders - June 2001

Peebles, south of Edinburgh, was the base for touring the eastern Scottish Borders, an area I had only passed through before on journeys by car or train to/from England

	Traquair House, a Jacobite stronghold. There is a rather splendid grassed and very lengthy driveway from the main gate to the house. The gate will apparently not be opened until there is, once more, a Stuart on the throne - I suspect that this will be some time away.
This interesting natural wood sculpture is in the walled garden of Aikwood Tower, the home of Lord and Lady Steel. Lord Steel is the Presiding Officer ('Speaker') of the Scottish Parliament.
	Dawyck Botanic Garden, which operates under the auspices of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, is located 8 miles south-west of Peebles in Tweeddale. The landscaped gardens cover 25 hectares (about 50 acres) and there is an important collection of conifers. Some parts of the garden are on steep slopes so it requires time to walk around in comfort. Note - the house is not open to the public.
Branklyn Garden in Perth is quite small, but every inch is packed with well-tended planting. This is a photograph of one of many picturesque corners.

|    |