Angus's Garden – Woods and Water under Ben Cruachan
A few hours.
The route
Angus's Garden is a quiet woodland garden on the shore of Loch Angus in Glen Lonan, made over 40 years by Betty Macdonald in memory of her son.
Marked walks lead through the trees and along the water with Ben Cruachan above, and it's a peaceful hour or two for anyone who likes a garden with a wild edge. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The day
Glen Lonan
A walk through the woods and along the loch shore, with Ben Cruachan across the water.
About an hour and a half
Angus's Garden
Angus's Garden is off the A85 at Taynuilt, three miles up the single-track Glen Lonan road, on the right opposite Barguillean Farm. Park in its car park, where the walks begin. It opens every day of the year from 9am to dusk, and a visit costs £5 for adults at the time of writing, with under-16s free. Betty Macdonald began this nine-acre woodland garden in 1957 in memory of her son Angus, and spent 40 years making it. Three marked circular walks leave the car park, from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, through native woodland and along the shore of Loch Angus. Ben Cruachan and the hills of Glen Etive stand above, and swans and ducks are on the loch. The rhododendrons and azaleas are at their best from April to the end of June. Look for Betty's Bell on the north-west side, above the water. Dogs are welcome on leads. Some paths are steep and uneven and turn slippery in the wet, so wear good shoes; the garden doesn't suit wheelchairs or anyone who finds walking hard. There are no toilets or café, so bring a flask.
If it rains
The garden is out in the weather all the way round, and its steep paths turn slippery in the wet: on a rainy day take the shortest walk and wear boots.
Make it a weekend
More days out in Argyll and Bute.
Photographs by Christopher Cox and SARAH FORAUD via Google