Inverewe

Inverewe is a botanical garden situated on the western coast of the Scottish Highlands near the village of Mallaig. The estate occupies 200 acres of cliffside moorland overlooking the North Atlantic and has been a National Trust for Scotland property since 1893.

The gardens were founded in 1918 by Sir William Johnstone, a Midlothian landowner. Johnstone, travelling through Europe, became fascinated by the climate of the North Sea coast and purchased the land to create a refuge for exotic plants that would otherwise fail in the Scottish climate. The project was assisted by the Botanical Society of Scotland and the Royal Horticultural Society, and the garden was formally opened to the public in 1923.

With its unusually mild climate, Inverewe supports a diverse range of plants uncommon in Scotland, including Mediterranean shrubs, tropical palms, and a sizeable collection of ferns. The coastal location shelters the garden from the harsh northern winds, while the site’s mature trees and rocky outcrops create a dramatic, natural backdrop. Inverewe's design combines native habitats with cultivated displays, creating a seamless blend of formal and informal planting schemes.

The garden is open to visitors from late March until early September each year. There are guided tours, educational workshops, and a visitor centre that provides information on the garden’s history and ecology. Inverewe is also the setting for several environmental studies on plant adaptation to oceanic climates.

The site is listed as a category A building and an SSSI, and it is frequently cited in academic works on Mediterranean plant cultivation in northern latitudes. Its blend of horticultural innovation and natural beauty has made it an important cultural and ecological landmark in Scotland.