Threave Garden & Nature Reserve NTS

Threave Garden & Nature Reserve NTS Threave is the perfect place for a family day out, there’s so much to see and do.
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For winter opening times, please check our website or phone for details 01556 502575

Something for the pollinators. Looking absolutely amazing in the walled garden just now is Eupatorium maculatum Atropurp...
07/09/2026

Something for the pollinators.

Looking absolutely amazing in the walled garden just now is Eupatorium maculatum Atropurpureum Group (now called Eutrochium) and its heavenly for bees and butterflies as well as giving statement foliage and flowers in your borders.

There are the tall ones in our main walled garden borders and a smaller one called E. purpureum ‘Baby Joe’ found on the island beds by the house.

Easy to grow herbaceous perennial, hardy and can be cut back at the end of the season or leave for seed heads until spring. Propagate by division in late autumn/winter to share the joy with your friends.

Our recommendations for read a book day 📖Browse our shop for something to inspire. We have plenty to choose from for all...
06/09/2026

Our recommendations for read a book day 📖
Browse our shop for something to inspire. We have plenty to choose from for all ages.

Keeping traditional countryside skills alive 🪨A great couple of days at Threave Nature Reserve, running a two-day dry st...
04/09/2026

Keeping traditional countryside skills alive 🪨

A great couple of days at Threave Nature Reserve, running a two-day dry stane dyking course as part of NTS Learn.

The course was led by Head Ranger Dave and Garth Heinrich, both dry stone walling instructors.
Staff attended from across the National Trust for Scotland – Rangers, Gardeners and Estate Workers from House of Dun, Mar Lodge, Brodick Castle and Country Park and Threave, all getting stuck in.

Over the two days we covered the basics of taking down and rebuilding a traditional dry stone d**e, looking at stone selection, foundations, through stones, building to line and batter, and finishing the wall properly.

These are practical skills that still have a very real place in looking after the countryside and our properties, so it is great to be able to pass them on and give colleagues the confidence to put them into practice.

Plenty of stone shifted, plenty learned and a good bit of craic along the way!
13 metres completed, from start to finish 👍👍👍

Thanks to everyone who came along and got stuck in. 👏🪨

National Trust for Scotland

Semi-ripe cuttings are taught as part of the RHS level 2 practical certificate that the trainees undertake. The trainees...
03/09/2026

Semi-ripe cuttings are taught as part of the RHS level 2 practical certificate that the trainees undertake.

The trainees have spent the whole day learning about plants that root well as semi ripe, how to do mallet and heel cuttings as well as how to prepare the material and look after them.

Everyone did well and hopefully the successful ones will be potted in the next few months.

31/08/2026

The Ghost Hunt Returns to Threave House...

On Saturday 5th September, we’re returning to Threave House with our Good Old-Fashioned Ghost Hunt, presented in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland.

Once the doors close for the day, we’ll investigate in small groups, spending time in the turret rooms, Billiard Room and on the main staircase, where a number of curious experiences have been reported.

Footsteps have been heard on the stairs, and during one investigation a guest felt as though someone had pushed past them. Elsewhere in the house, objects have reportedly moved by themselves and shadowy figures glimpsed...

We’d love for you to join us.

**Saturday 5th September, 8pm-2am**

Booking link in the comments and also at the Midsteeple Box Office.

Threave Garden & Nature Reserve NTS

Fruit pruning and Strawberries! The trainees have completed some of their induction such as health and safety, meeting t...
31/08/2026

Fruit pruning and Strawberries!

The trainees have completed some of their induction such as health and safety, meeting the teams, learning how to water glasshouse plants, and a tour of the garden.

We thought it would be nice for them to get their hands dirty so this afternoon they are working with Jacob (ex trainee, now staff member) in the walled garden.

Zoe and Grace have been taking the summer growth off of the top fruit (apples and pears) to allow air and light in. Whilst Andy, Kieran and Daniel have been helping to lift and pot strawberry runners ready for planting next year.

Every garden needs a gnome and we are delighted to welcome our 'Guardian of the Garden' to Threave Garden. The beautiful...
28/08/2026

Every garden needs a gnome and we are delighted to welcome our 'Guardian of the Garden' to Threave Garden. The beautiful and fun willow sculpture has been created onsite by local artist Trevor Leat.

See if you can spot it on your next visit.

The new trainees have arrived! We would like to welcome the new trainees to Threave School of Heritage Gardening for 202...
27/08/2026

The new trainees have arrived!

We would like to welcome the new trainees to Threave School of Heritage Gardening for 2026-2027.

This year Andy, Grace, Kieran, Zoe and Daniel will be learning and working with our staff and volunteers to learn as much as they can about horticulture and working in a public garden.

Help us welcome them by saying hello if you see them in the garden. We hope they enjoy their year with us.

A warm welcome to Thomas, who has joined the Ranger team based here at Threave Garden & Nature Reserve 👋Thomas will be w...
26/08/2026

A warm welcome to Thomas, who has joined the Ranger team based here at Threave Garden & Nature Reserve 👋

Thomas will be working with us across the wider countryside, getting involved in practical conservation, habitat work and general maintenance, while working alongside our fantastic volunteers — to name but a few things.

There is always plenty to learn and certainly never a shortage of jobs to get stuck into!

We are really pleased to have Thomas on board and hope you will join us in giving him a warm Threave welcome. 😊

Welcome to the team, Thomas! 👍

Address

National Trust For Scotland: Threave Garden
Castle Douglas
DG71RX

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