Mertoun
Gardens
Mertoun House was designed by Sir
William Bruce for Sir William Scott of Harden and was built in 1703-05. It
occupies an outstanding situation on a high bank overlooking the River Tweed
and ornamental parkland beyond.
Mertoun Kirk stands within the grounds,
but it is not open to members of the public except for Church Services.
Little is known of the early history of the
gardens, but it is assumed from the great age of many of the specimen trees
that they were laid out at the time the mansion was built. It is possible that
at least part of the gardens existed prior to that date, since the former
mansion house, known as Old Mertoun House – now the
head gardener’s house in the walled garden – dates from 1677 and nearby is a
well preserved, circular dovecot dated 1567, thought to be the oldest in the
county.
The gardens have been run since 1984 by a Charity
called Mertoun Gardens Trust and lie to the north and
east of Mertoun House extending to about 26 acres.
The soil is a medium loam, slightly acid, overlying
sandstone and, since the gardens are well screened by mature trees in all
directions – particularly from the cold, easterly winds a great variety of
species have been established and now flourish.
To the north-east of the house is a wide expanse of
sweeping lawn, bounded to the east by the tree-covered bank of the Tweed and to
the north by borders of herbaceous plants, shrub roses and azaleas. Beyond is
an arboretum, established over the last 40 years, with a great variety of both
conifers and hardwoods. Paths and grass walks provide access to all parts of
the garden and its surrounding woodland, as well as forming several most attractive
circular walks, with views over the River. Bridges cross the Maidenhall Burn which runs through the garden into the
Tweed.
To the north is the Walled Garden of about three
acres, in which is situated Old Mertoun House, 1677.
On a south-facing slope, it contains a great variety of fruit trees, vegetables
and flowers and is immaculately maintained. There is a range of heated
greenhouses, and cold frames. Visitors are asked to respect the privacy of Old Mertoun House, and not to enter the greenhouses.
Open to the Public
every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday
April – September
From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5.30 p.m.)
Admission Charges
Adults £3.00
Senior Citizens £2.00
Children (under 14) £1.00
Entrance off B6404 -
2 miles north-east of St. Boswells
Coach Parties by
arrangement only
Enquiries for party
rates and a full list of garden species
Please telephone
the Estate Office – (01835 823236)
NO DOGS allowed
Mertoun House is not open to members of the general public
Mertoun Gardens Trust is a charitable company limited by
guarantee, registered in England, charity no. 1113423, company no 5747404
Mertoun Gardens Trust, charity registered in Scotland
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