‘Turn in the sheep,’ everyone said. Although the garden was empty but for a few mature plants and her budget consisted of ‘pennies’ she was reluctant to follow this advice. Over the next 25 years she worked with minimal help to redevelop the area into a garden that retains many of its traditional west coast features while updating them with fresh, contemporary ideas.

Driving down the road that leads to Ardmaddy it is easy to understand why Minette was inspired. Situated on the shores of Seil Sound, south of Oban, the castle is reached by a narrow, winding road. Just as you feel you must have taken a wrong turn, you see the castle below you overlooking the sea.

Behind the house, a slope covered with a shrubbery of camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas, falls away into the walled garden. Even on a misty afternoon the bright red and deep pink of the rhododendrons and yellow azaleas stand out against the lush green of the mature trees.

With the demolition of a large part of the Victorian castle, the restoration of the

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