Visit to Prince Charles private garden

Good news - we have had an adventure today.
Bad news- photos were not allowed.

What if one does take a photo in the garden of Birkhall, Prince Charles private residence on Deeside?

"The tour is cancelled immediately," I was told.
So with regret I had to keep my paparazzi instincts firmly under control as we -a group of gardeners- are taken on an hour-long tour of Birkhall, which holds a special place in HRH affections.

Built in 1715 the house is now a summer retreat for Prince Charles and he takes a keen interest in his seven acres of totally organic garden, a few miles from Balmoral castle.

What about slugs? Well ducks take care of them. And they have a most impressive duck-house to themselves.


For one week of the year of the year groups can visit and our tour had been arranged through Scotland's Gardens.

To say that Birkhall is a discreet royal residence is an understatement. The absence of signs meant that our coach got totally lost.
But, thanks to the generosity of a passing stranger who led the way in his car to Birkhall we arrived at our destination -only half an hour late for our allocated slot.

Once inside Birkhall we were quizzed if there were any press present. Does Blipfoto count?
I think not. Nevertheless I did note that the bird boxes were in fact concealed CCTV cameras.
The 7-acre garden, tended by two women gardeners, is a labour of love for Prince Charles for it is totally organic and reflects his many interests, including homeopathy.



The garden is designed to be at its peak from August to October when the family is in residence.



We end our tour with tea served in the summerhouse- bone china, white tablecloths and home baking. A discreet table in the corner offers products from Highgrove and that's when I buy my card, (todays blip pic) a reproduction of a watercolor painting by HRH of an abandoned cottage on the island of Stroma, Caithness.

The garden had a delightful quirkiness and informality about it. Perhaps for those expecting something grander, something with the "wow!" factor they might have been disappointed, but our group of gardeners recognized the hard work and affection that had gone into creating this little masterpiece on the banks of the river Muick.

It revealed the hand of a man deeply committed to tradition and the environment.