Arduaine Gardens

Overview

If you didn’t know it, you’d never guess that the correct pronunciation of Arduaine should be phonetically written like “Arr-doonie”.

It is claimed that something flowers in Arduaine Gardens every day of the year. Given the very sheltered location of the garden, we expect this is probably true. Located a few miles south of Oban on the Atlantic Coast, Arduaine nestles into a wooded hillside with a southerly aspect and the warming waters of the Gulfstream helping to maintain a very mild climate all year round.

Founded in 1898, it isn’t a large garden, but it is a warren of small paths that zig-zag back and forth on the steeply wooded slopes that surround the gardens more formal lawns and floral beds. One of our favourite gardens and especially lovely in May when there is a heady scent from the Honeysuckle shrubs.

It has a collection of plants from all over the world, including Blue Tibetan poppies and giant Himalayan lilies. From the tall trees of the woodland garden to the water lilies in the ponds, Arduaine takes you on a horticultural journey across the temperate world. 

Not a large garden in comparison to Inverewe or Benmore, but certainly worth doing if you have NTS membership.