Saturday, 18th May, 2 – 4pm
Thirty members joined this private exploration of The Blackhills garden, kindly hosted by the Christie family. We met in the stableyard for a brief introduction to the estate and gardens from the owner John Christie. He said that the weather conditions, cool and cloudy, were perfect for viewing the plants. “The ‘heyday’ of the garden is today,” he added, “not some time in the past.” We explored the garden in small groups, everyone at their own pace.Most of us followed the blue route around the ponds; others then undertook the longer more strenuous red route through the woodland.
The garden covers about 70 acres and is situated between two glacial valleys. In the first kettle hole valley are two ponds; the second is known as the Warren because of the myriad of paths that cross it. The geography provides a distinct micro climate, more akin to Inverewe on the west coast, than the North East, which allows over 300 species of rhododendrons and azaleas to flourish. About half the species were planted by Thomas North Christie between 1920 and 1935, derived from China and the Himalayas, the rest planted by his successors. Historic Environment Scotland has rated the gardens ‘outstanding’ in the horticultural category of the inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes. The paths and bridges are well maintained, but the garden is very natural, providing a haven for all kinds of wildlife, especially around the ponds.
John Christie is a very accomplished potter and had opened his showroom for our visit. Several members bought mementoes of a wonderful afternoon.
Blackhills has a very good website : blackhills.co.uk/. Historic Environment Scotland also has good information about the gardens and the architecture, archaeology, and history of the estate: www.historicenvironment.scot. You can watch John Christie making his pots and firing his wood fired kiln at blackhillspottery.co.uk
Many thanks to Vanessa Christie, John and Steph Christie for their hospitality and warm welcome