Benmore Botanic Garden
The Royal Botanic Garden's mountainside garden in Cowal, entered by an avenue of redwoods planted in 1863.
Benmore Botanic Garden spreads over 120 acres of mountainside on the Cowal peninsula, a few miles north of Dunoon, and it is one of the four gardens of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Few gardens have a finer entrance: an avenue of giant redwoods planted in 1863, now around 160 years old, towering over the drive.
Beyond it, waymarked walks lead through plants from the Himalaya, China, Japan and the Americas: more than 300 species of rhododendron, which flower in spring and early summer, towering Douglas firs, Scots pines and monkey puzzles, a quiet pond and the Golden Gates of 1878. The Victorian Fernery, tucked among rocky cliffs, has been restored, with ferns spilling down its walls. The more adventurous climb past Bhutanese and Chilean pavilions to a viewpoint over the Holy Loch. Look out for red squirrels and sparrowhawks, and now and then a golden eagle. There is a café, Redwood Coffee, and a shop.
The garden opens daily from 1 March to 31 October, 10am to 5pm; the Fernery opens 11am to 4pm.
- Season
- Daily, 1 March to 31 October, 10:00 to 17:00.
- Where
- Benmore, north of Dunoon.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 10am–5pm
- Tuesday
- 10am–5pm
- Wednesday
- 10am–5pm
- Thursday
- 10am–5pm
- Friday
- 10am–5pm
- Saturday
- 10am–5pm
- Sunday
- 10am–5pm
Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.
Add your reviewBenmore, north of Dunoon, Cowal.
Puck’s GlenPuck’s Glen is a stretch of forest on the Cowal Peninsula, formed over thousands of years by the river beside it.2 miles 3 min by road
Loch EckA long, quiet loch in the Argyll Forest Park, with red squirrels on its shores and the rare powan in its depths.4 miles 6 min by road
Jubilee Point, Loch EckA picnic spot halfway along Loch Eck, in the Argyll Forest Park, with red squirrels on the shore and the powan in the depths.4 miles 6 min by road
Holy LochA short sea loch in Cowal named for Saint Munn, home to American nuclear submarines from 1961 to 1992 and quiet again now.5 miles 9 min by road
Rock CafeA café on West Bay in Dunoon looking across the Clyde, for breakfasts, lunches, cakes and Argyll Coffee Roasters coffee.6 miles as the crow flies
The Daily
Arrives at 5am every day.
A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.
Places to stay near the garden, and when each is next free.
Glenstriven House- Sleeps 15
- In Argyll and Bute
- 6 miles from Benmore
Red Squirrel Cottage- Sleeps 6
- In Lochgoilhead
- 9 miles from Benmore
Seal Cabin- Sleeps 2
- In Lochgoilhead
- 9 miles from Benmore
The Hollies- Sleeps 18
- In Tighnabruaich
- 13 miles from Benmore
Scotland, in print.
We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .