RHS PARTNER GARDEN STATUS
Free Garden Access
(Available to RHS Members – 1 person only) on Fridays, during opening hours.
Experience the longest scented rose archway in Scotland, set over a ‘DNA’ pathway with a central flower bed crafted from the cathedral stone of a rose window.
Discover the beauty of auricula and spring bulbs, followed by yew-backed herbaceous borders filled with wispy grasses, vibrant perennials, rare plants, and collections of hostas and ferns. Admire the champion trees and enjoy the soothing sounds of a mesmeric water feature, rill, and formal pond, which also serve as a reservoir to support the garden’s watering needs.
The potager overflows with culinary and medicinal herbs, soft fruit, and cut flowers, while espaliered fruit trees line the stone walls of the Victorian glasshouses.
Uncover fascinating history, including the story of the historic Loch that disappeared, visit the Covenanter’s ruined woodland tomb, and learn about the family’s ties to Mary Queen of Scots and Charles Darwin’s horticultural links. For the young at heart, wander along the whimsical Bear Walk, with carved animals nestled in the shade of native trees, enjoy a round of nine-hole family putting, or explore the grass labyrinth.
Our Garden Café serves seasonal dishes made with estate-grown produce, including refreshing drinks made from the estate’s own pressed apples. We also offer special pre-ordered afternoon teas during the season.
“To Enrich Everyone’s Life Through Plants”
In addition to the four RHS Gardens, 177 independent gardens across the UK, and 19 overseas, support the RHS’s charitable mission by offering free entry to RHS members at selected times of the year. We are proud to be one of only nine privately owned RHS Partner Gardens in Scotland, and on Fridays, garden entry is free for RHS members to support the RHS’s vision.
Terms:
- Free entry applies to Individual RHS members.
- For Joint memberships, free entry is for one cardholder per policy (member 1), as indicated by an asterisk (*) on the back of your membership card.
- Life members: Free entry applies to both members of Joint Life memberships.
- Guests: Free entry does not apply to guests.
- Group visits: Free entry is not available for members travelling as part of an organised group. Please contact the garden in advance to discuss group visits.
Please present your RHS membership card upon arrival at our Reception.
Note: Free entry applies to main members only. Non-RHS members will be charged at the standard entry fee.
For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk or see our RHS Member Page: RHS Partner Garden page
VISIT
Backhouse Rossie
The family have restored the garden over the past 15 plus years. The Backhouse Heritage and Education Centre tells the story of their forebears, the famous Quaker Backhouse family of botanists and bankers, whose ground-breaking achievements are being brought back to life by this sixth generation. Their forebears first dreamed of establishing the Backhouse Nursery in Scotland and is now being realised at Backhouse Rossie in Fife. The family’s National Collection of Narcissus ‘Backhouse’ cultivars bloom in spring and is the catalyst for Scotland’s National Daffodil Festival held in mid-April each year.
