Torosay Castle Gardens
Photo: David Dixon / CC BY-SA 2.0, modified.
Overview
The Japanese Garden at Torosay Castle is a small Japanese-style garden within the wider Torosay Castle Gardens on the Isle of Mull. Historic Environment Scotland records it as part of the designed landscape of Torosay Castle, also known as Duart House. The Japanese Garden lies east of the gardener’s cottage and the Rock Garden, with a view opened toward Loch Linnhe and Ben Nevis.
History
Torosay Castle was completed in 1858, while the formal terraces were later attributed to Sir Robert Lorimer around 1899. The Japanese Garden itself is much later: Historic Environment Scotland states that it was laid out in the early 1980s by Lt Colonel Miller.
Design features
The Japanese Garden is set within the broader historic garden landscape, which also includes formal terraces, a walled garden, water garden, rockery, statue walk and woodland areas. The Japanese Garden is specifically noted for its position east of the gardener’s cottage and Rock Garden, and for its opened view toward Loch Linnhe and Ben Nevis.
Garden elements
Bridges
Buildings
Waters and islands
Stones
Other elements
Current status
Extant Japanese garden within the historic Torosay Castle Gardens. The castle is currently closed to the public, while the gardens have only occasional or seasonal open days, usually limited to specific dates.