Garden #6 Cambo Gardens in Scotland

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As the summer holidays have begun, this month we’re highlighting a garden abroad! It may be a little tucked away, but on the eastern stretch of the North Coast 500 route you'll find a true hidden gem not to be missed when visiting Scotland. After passing through the Kingsbarns Golf Course—and dodging the golf balls flying at you from all directions—you'll spot a small sign at the back of the park, delicately painted in white script, reading Cambo Gardens. The arrow points you down a lovely woodland path that winds along the Cambo Burn, an idyllic stream gently babbling between the roots of old trees.

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Cambo Gardens is a walled garden located on the Erskine estate on the east coast of Fife, Scotland, built in the late 18th century. The entire estate includes stables, a coach house, a mausoleum, farms, and more. As you emerge from the woods and walk up to the estate, you can catch a glimpse of the stunning garden through an opening in the wall. Upon entering, you're immediately hit with a burst of vivid colours. Thousands of different flower and plant species form a unique composition, home to bees and other pollinators. The Cambo Burn flows straight through the garden, and the addition of iron bridges and benches gives the whole place a fairytale-like atmosphere.

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Cambo Gardens is especially famous for its snowdrops, with over 350 different varieties that blanket the garden in winter. A group of volunteers hosts special guided tours focused on this protected flower, with proceeds supporting social initiatives. But there’s something to see all year round. After winter, daffodils bloom; in May, wild garlic fills the air with its distinctive aroma; and in spring you’ll find a wave of pink, blue, and lilac flowers. By August, the herbaceous perennials are back in full bloom before dying down again in winter, making way for the snowdrops once more.

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But Cambo Gardens isn’t just to look at. Part of the garden is dedicated to growing a wide variety of vegetables and herbs. The old stables now house a café where you can enjoy dishes made with produce straight from the garden. Composting is also done on-site. During the ‘Composted’ festival in spring and summer, a variety of activities are organised around composting—such as workshops, guided walks, and other events.

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Cambo Gardens is open year-round. Click here for more information.

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