Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 25 on 17/02/2006.

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Small and perfectly formed

Arnot Tower Gardens are a slice of history. Cate Nelson-Shaw visited them

They say the best things come in small packages.

Unobtrusively tucked away in a corner of Scotland’s Kingdom of Fife is a gem of a find. Built from the stuff of legends, yet relatively unheard of until recently, Arnot Tower Gardens are a true historical jewel and, thanks to their owner Helen Gray, have been restored and reinvigorated.

The 10 acres of gardens at Arnot Tower are the result of five years of planning and planting as well as a £200,000 investment. The result is stunning – sweeping herbaceous borders and innovative water features sit alongside cricket-perfect lawns and shady mature trees; and at the heart of the garden is the curiously ruined 15th century Arnot Tower, the walls of which shelter secrets to rival those from the most imaginative Scots bard.

The Arnot (or Arnott) name has been closely linked to the land on which the gardens now sit for more than 900 years. Since the start of the 12th century, the site has been the seat of the Arnot family; during the early 1400s the current tower was built, although it is thought earlier fortifications may have occupied the site.

At the same time, a charter was granted making the lands a barony for the Arnot family. Sadly, the tower has been a ruin for more than 300 years yet it still casts an intriguing shadow around the grounds and hints at its distinguished and colourful past.

There have been several Arnots whose names have gone down in history: David Arnot of Fyfe was one of 2,000 noble landowners who in 1296 .....

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By Cate Nelson-Shaw

Section : Best of Scotland

Page number : 44