The 20 acre landscaped garden at Braco Castle is one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets. Hidden away in the midst of undulating countryside just two miles north-west of the village of Braco, the castle, parts of which date from around 1600, sits at the far end of a farm road that winds its way gently between fields of grazing cattle. In spring the policies surrounding the castle are packed with drifts of golden daffodils, the result of generations of planting and naturalising.

Dutch born Mari and Teuna van Ballegooyen were immediately captivated when they saw Braco 11 years ago, with its breathtaking views over the Ochil Hills. Teuna explains: ‘We saw the house advertised when we were on holiday in Scotland, and contacted the agent, only to find it was under offer.’ A short while later they heard the sale had fallen through and immediately travelled over from Holland for a viewing.

They found a house in need of renovation and a neglected garden: neglect that almost certainly accounts for the garden being so little known. Fortunately the previous owner had repaired the roof and got rid of the dry rot, but much remained to be done, and some of the basement areas were so damp ferns sprouted from the walls. Although they liked the house and were enthusiastic about continuing the restoration, it was the garden they really fell in love with. ‘We arrived to view at 9:30am and left at 1:30 having spent most of the time in the garden,’ Teuna recalls, adding that this was when they met Head Gardener Jodi Simpson, who had lived and worked at Braco for 10 years.

George Kellie McCallum (1804-1884), who owned Braco Castle from the end of 1853, was responsible for the original layout. A Writer of the Signet in Edinburgh, he came here with his wife and five young children with the intention of ‘making a garden there and to improve, drain and reclaim certain portions of the lands, to cut wood and make new plantations and generally undertake various operations involving outlay of capital with the view of increasing the value and amenity of the Estate’. One hundred and fifty years later the 19th century landscape retained its basic structure, although it was time to remove some derelict additions. To the east of the southfacing house an old tennis court was lifted and replaced by a lawn with a flower meadow beyond. The banks on both sides of the dell that runs under the trees behind the house were cleared, releasing thousands of naturalised snowdrops. To the west, two main paths – known as the lower path and the upper path – run parallel to each other through policies of mature trees to the semi-walled garden. This garden is enclosed on three sides, with the lower half left open to allow for the views; the lower wall also allows the frost to roll out.

The upper path was cleared of an invasion of R. ponticum and replanted with a variety of species and hybrids. Two wrought iron gates set in elegant stone pillars lead into the walled garden, where a central path is flanked on both sides with shrubs underplanted in the spring with a sea of bright blue Pulmonaria ‘Lewis Palmer’. This robust pulmonaria spreads easily and pops up here and there throughout the garden, mixing with erythroniums, daffodils and late snowdrops.

In the walled garden, an established framework of yew, box, purple cherry and berberis hedges divides the space into distinct rooms or compartments. Each compartment boasts a different planting theme based on roses, different kinds and colours of perennials, bulbs and flowering shrubs. Old photographs recently gifted by the daughter of Mr Pratt, a previous Head Gardener, have helped piece the past together.

A recent collection of yellow and orange hamamelis brings colour and interest in the late winter, while in the spring, thousands of daffodils, some of which date from the Victorian era, take centre stage. Jodi explains that the Muir family had a connection with Tresco and that in the 1930s cartloads of daffodils were shipped to Braco for ornamental planting and flower sales. Open to the south where it overlooks a pond built in 1936, the walled garden also contains a line of glasshouses running along the top wall. These glasshouses are in bad repair, but the broken glass has been removed and plans are afoot for full restoration. Taking on this large garden was a challenge the couple met with Jodi’s help and enthusiasm. It yielded many surprises including the extent of the daffodil plantings. Each spring the snowdrops are followed by swathes of naturalised daffodils, which grow close to the house and spread to the wild meadows to the south east and west.

As the days lengthen, the taller hybrid daffodils in the parkland come into their own, vibrant golden carpets of bright yellow ‘Golden Harvest’, creamy ‘Mount Hood’ and the late, pure white N. pseudonarcissus, which naturalises easily. Drifts stretch back into the woodland and into the young plantings of rhododendrons, camellias, sorbus, birch and prunus. Later, in May, bluebells take over, spreading a haze of blue under the beech and oak.

Some of the recent planting was prompted by the need to increase the shelter as Braco Castle sits at a height of 600ft. However, much is being done to extend the interest into the winter months and introduce more colour. ‘We must have planted between 200 and 300 rhododendrons in the past eight years’ Jodi says, pointing at a pair of well-established deep red R. Nobleanum that flank the entrance to the top path on the west of the castle.

Although much has been done, plenty of challenges remain and the garden still reveals surprises. The old ice house was restored last year and Teuna recently found the iron remains of a bench that once stood in front of the castle, hidden in the undergrowth. Now restored with new wooden slats, it sits in its original spot. But the most effective part of this project remains the commitment and enthusiasm of Braco Castle’s owners, who continue to draw on Jodi Simpson’s knowledge. Horticultural changes are being made to nurture the garden back to glory but equally vital is the emphasis on creating a welcoming, family atmosphere where visitors are at liberty to enjoy the grounds and gardens. SF

Field facts Braco Castle, Braco, FK15 9LA Route is signposted from Braco village on A822. Gardens open under Scotland’s Garden Scheme with an honesty box from 1st March – 31st October 10am to 5pm and also by appointment. Admission £3 per adult. No dogs please but there are plenty of places nearby where dogs can be walked.