One of the highlights of my recent trip to Aberdeenshire was the gardens at Crathes Castle near Banchory, around 15 miles west of Aberdeen. I arrived there in the early evening, too late to visit the castle but the gardens are open until dusk. The gardens are famous for their ancient yew hedges which have been trimmed reently.

Crathes Gardens yew hedges

The gardens were a riot of colour during my visit and provided a magical foreground to the castle.