Studio: international art (11.1897)

Formal Gardens in Scotland

formed a most convenient place for the " decayed
gild breither," for whom the institution was
founded, to loiter about when not more actively
engaged on the bowling-green.

Crathes.

This is a little known specimen of a simple
variety of formal garden not uncommon in Scot-
land. It is unpretentious enough, but the magni-
ficent lawns and trees surrounding the place give it
a fine effect.

Here, as usual, there is a rapid slope of the
ground, and a good fall is obtained between the
bowling-green and the flower-garden. There is
little or no stonework. The retaining wall and
flight of steps to this terrace and a large recess for
a summer seat are the sum total; but the natural
contour of the ground is taken advantage of to the
full, and the massive yew hedges are very well
arranged to prevent one seeing too much of the
garden at once.

There is a charming view of the picturesque
turrets and towers of the castle from the alley in
the centre of the garden, which could only have
been devised by one who thoroughly appreciated
the picture.

The kitchen-garden is on the south-west and laid
out in the usual squares divided by paths, with
a path and border all round. In the north-east
corner is a large aviary, one of the very few remain-

ing specimens of an almost invariable feature in a
well-appointed old garden.

FORDEL.

Fordel, in Fifeshire, has the remains of one of
the earliest Scottish gardens. The Castle is situated
on a small plateau at the junction of two streams.
A deep ditch joining the two glens defended it
on the third side.

The whole of this plateau is now a garden,
but originally the east side only was so occupied.

There are two parterres of flower-beds divided
by a grass avenue with a sloped bank at the lower
end. In the centre of each division stood a large
ctdar, but only one remains now.

On the east side is an immense yew hedge
25 feet high and n feet wide, with a surface smooth
as a billiard-table—a splendid background for the
brilliant flower-beds.

The curious glass garden, said to have been de-
signed by Mary, and dating probably from her time,
has been removed from its original position, but
preserves its characteristics.

The various patterns are outlined in box most
accurately cut and filled in with glass of different
colours, and the paths with white gravel. It is, of
course, intended to be looked at from the upper
windows of the house, and lies close under the
walls. These glass gardens appear to have been
an importation from France, but, like all the more

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