Introduction

This afternoon, I am focusing on an unusual, if not somewhat surreal, garden at Portrack in the Scottish Borders.

Statue at Garden of Cosmic Speculation, Portrack

Information on the Garden of Cosmic Speculation

This garden was begun in the late 1970s to the designs of Maggie Keswick and Charles Jencks. The design takes inspiration from such disparate sources as historic British earthworks and Chinese gardens. There are lakes interwoven with the mounds and the water mirroring land and sky. Dotted around can be found statues, artworks and architecture.

This garden is not open to the public on a regular basis.The garden is only open to the public on a single day each year. This is typically the first May bank holiday each year through the Scotland’s Gardens Charity Scheme. If the opportunity arises I recommend  visitors take the time to quietly explore this unique site and absorb the interaction of artwork and landscape.  The garden is not available for private hire, film shoots, advertising shoots or promotions.

Location is 7 miles N of Dumfries and 72 miles SW of Edinburgh. (Distances are approximate.)

Apologies for the mixed quality of images provided. My photography skills and digital technology have moved on since these images were taken. However, the selection should provide the reader with a basic appreciation of the site. I will have to return to the garden and refresh my portfolio of images! 

Below is a portfolio of images taken at the site.

More information for the visitor.

The publication, Visitors’ Guide to Scotland includes sections on Scotland’s gardens. This book is heavily illustrated and contains a wealth of information on Scotland and it’s history. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.