This former manse is located in an elevated position near the village of Aboyne, in one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas of Scotland. The house enjoys spectacular panoramic views over the countryside, especially to the South.

Behind the main house is a walled garden with an unusual semi-circular rear wall. It was almost entirely devoid of any planting and was essentially a blank canvas.

The client asked for a traditional garden, in keeping with the house, and style of its interior, laid out to enhance the curved boundaries. Generous deep beds were filled with seasonal planting, with more permanent structures such as rose arches, trellis and topiary, providing a framework on which to hang the planting.

Walls were painstakingly rebuilt, stone by stone, gates refurbished, cobbled paths laid, and beech hedging planted.

The walled garden also included a working kitchen and cutting garden, for fruit, vegetables and cut flowers which, as it was very much on show, had to be as ornamental as it was productive.