What a magnificent day this was! A dramatic thunder storm in
the night had freshened the atmosphere, but the blue skies and gentle sunshine
made a welcome return for my visit to Castle Kennedy Gardens, a 40 minute drive
inland. A salad lunch was enjoyed overlooking distant views of the rolling
countryside of the outer reaches of the 75 acre estate that was the inspiration
of the 2nd Earl of Stair in the 1730’s. I immediately detected the
influence of landscape designer ‘Capability Brown’ in the way the natural
features such as water, hillsides and grazing flocks of farm animals are
visually ‘borrowed’ and integrated into the formality of the planned heart of
the gardens through tantalising glimpses afforded at the ends of straight avenues
of trees, gateways opened up in walls, and elevated vantage points. The
Romantic ruins of Castle Kennedy, built in the 16th century, but
burnt down in 1730, provide a wonderful picturesque motif within the formally
landscaped grounds. Two natural fresh water lochs, The White Loch and The Black
Loch divide the estate, and in the 18th century an army of men with
horses and carts were used to mould and move the landscape into its what you
see today. One attraction I had to see
was the famous 160 year old avenue of Monkey Puzzle Trees, planted with seed
collected by the famous botanical explorer, Joseph Hooker, and I was not
disappointed. (The Monkey Puzzle Tree was the subject of a project done with my
students). Their towering canopies appeared to claw at the clouds above with
their silhouetted spikey fingers, and the mature tree trunks had wise old ‘eyes’
that peered out, where once branches sprouted, and seemed to be watching Ruskin
and I on our promenade along the avenue. These Chilean pine trees were under
planted with rhododendrons and azaleas that must give a splendid effect when in
flower, and I resolve to come back to see these unique and inspiring specimens
again. Other memorable features were the giant 2 acre circular pond, filled
with rare Victorian water lilies, and the spectacular vistas of trees leading
to glimpses of the lochs and focal points, including the elegant Scottish
Baronial Gothic styled family seat of Lochinch Castle. Ruskin’s ‘lowlight’ was
his swim in The Black Loch, which was cut short by an untimely inhalation of
water into his wee lungs which left him trembling and uncharacteristically
subdued for the next few hours….
My planned excursion that evening to the RSBP reserve of The
Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point, was aborted en route, as a
thick pea-soup Scotch mist dropped down into the narrow lanes I was endeavouring
to drive along, and Ruskin’s demeanour became even more dour…..
wow, looks like a great adventure Julia! but poor Ruskin, hope he's feeling better x
ReplyDelete