Lawns and Woodland

Guests of Kames Castle Cottages are free to enjoy the 20 acres of private grounds that form the estate. At the entrance to the estate is a large lawned area that overlooks Kames Bay, providing beautiful views over the waterfront  and marina.  Further lawned areas are located next to the courtyard cottages where guests will find the small putting green - plenty of space for younger guests to enjoy.  

A short path leads from the lawned area to the walled garden. The South facing wall of the garden is covered with a variety of apple and pear trees.  Guests are welcome to try the fresh produce when in season.  The North facing wall backs on to a forested area.  This boasts a number of aged trees dating back some hundreds of years.  The trees are home to an abundance of bird life...owls, buzzards and woodpeckers to name but a few.   Running along the edge of this woodland is a small, open stream. 

Wildlife

Kames is home to an abundance of birds and the current owners are making efforts to encourage this.  In addition to smaller garden birds, such as Blue Tits, Black Birds and Robins, Kames is frequented by Pheasants, Owls and Buzzards. Wherever possible the Bute Bird Group is kept informed of rarer species so that they can be ringed and monitored where appropriate. Please consult the following website for further information about the Bute Bird Group: http://www.butemuseum.org.uk/butebirdgroup/about/

Roe deer are welcome guests in the estate and can often be seen on the lawns and wooded areas. Smaller animals, such as rabbits and hedgehogs are equally welcome.  Unfortunately, hedgehog numbers are in rapid decline in the UK. Kames Estate is therefore proud to be a supporter and member of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). Those with a keen eye will be able to spot a number of hedgehog houses dotted throughout the grounds. For further information about the BHPS please consult their website: https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk

As part of the renovations to the Keep, and under the guide of expert Ecologists, the current owners have installed a specially constructed false ceiling at the top of the tower to protect the habitat of protected brown long-eared bats.  A number of Bat boxes can also be found within the grounds.

Victorian Walled Garden & Glasshouse

The magical spaces of walled gardens are sadly disappearing throughout the UK. Thus, that Kames boasts a two acre, 18th century walled garden with an original glasshouse, adds to it’s unique charm and provides a unique setting for a wonderful family holiday in Scotland. It is thought that the garden dates from the ownership of William Bannatyne, the last in the Bannatyne line, an advocate and so-called great "improver". The garden wall is traditional red brick with a South facing double-thickness wall. Large borders, for flowers and produce, remain in place surrounding a traditional four–quartered middle section.

The 18th century Mackenzie & Moncur glasshouse remains remarkably intact. It has retained its timber glazing, slanted roof and unusual channelled side wall. The pipes which originally heated the glasshouse are still in place. In days gone by loose bricks from the brick wall were also removed and the holes stuffed with hay. This was then burnt in order to create enough heat to allow the growth of soft fruit. The glasshouse currently houses a number of aged vines and also lemon trees.

In 2018 restoration work began on the glasshouse. It is now fully restored, boasting aged vines and central staging with colourful annuals.

Produce

The walled garden at Kames dates from the 18th century and was originally planted out in full to provide a plentiful supply of fruit, vegetables and flowers for the main house. Over the years the layout has inevitably changed and the four quadrants are now laid to lawn. However, renovations are ongoing and one section of the west side has now been dedicated to raised vegetable beds. Guests are welcome to help themselves to a variety of produce throughout the season.

The estate also boast around 80 fruit trees, including apple, pear and fig.  Many of the apple trees are heritage varieties. Again, guests are welcome to help themselves to the fruit when it is in season.