Gordon Castle Walled Garden
Description
Home to the Gordon Castle Walled Garden, cafe and produce shop in the heart of Fochabers. Gordon Castle is the “spiritual home” of the Gordon Clan and has significant historical importance in Scotland, but also to everyone in the world called Gordon.
We also have a very special Walled Garden. The garden, at 8 acres probably the largest productive walled kitchen garden in the country, had fallen into disrepair. However, it had been kept weed free and the two hundred and forty nine espaliered apple, plum, pear, peach, apricot, nectarine and fig trees around the walls had been well kept for many years by ex-head gardener Willie Robertson, a true expert having worked in the garden since 1946. The buildings were also ancient and had fallen into disrepair and needed restoration.
So we decided to combine the redevelopment of the Walled Garden with the launch of our product range and the Gordon Castle Scotland brand. The garden itself was an awkward size at 8 acres: Too big for the needs of the Castle, but not big enough to be commercially viable in a modern world. We decided to turn it into a productive space of beauty, education and heritage capable of supplying the ingredients for all our products and for a shop and restaurant.
Given that the story of the products is all about the place, provenance and being natural we thought that people would like to visit our garden and whilst there would like to sample the fresh produce straight from the garden.
So we had the garden designed with a modern twist on the traditional kitchen garden by multi award-winning garden designer Arne Maynard. A network of paths and beds have already been built and planted, together with an outside performance stage and children’s play area.
Our café is a “new build” designed by award winning architect Craig Hamilton. Delightful and delicious seasonal Scottish dishes are prepared with care and plenty of flair using the finest local ingredients, so fresh you may see some being picked from our Garden before they reach your plate. Guests can enjoy coffee, a homemade lunch, afternoon tea, or a top notch dinner, whilst watching the garden grow from the restaurant’s ceiling to floor windows. “Plant, Pick, Plate” is our motto.
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RECENT FACEBOOK POSTS
facebook.com💖 M O T H E R S ~ D A Y 💖 Just around the corner (11th March) Mother's Day will soon be upon us. We are offering a two or three course set lunch with bubbles from 12.30pm - 2.30pm then a high tea offering from 4pm - 6pm. Always a sell out, booking is essential so please visit our website for menu options and to book online http://bit.ly/mothersdaywalledgarden
Looking to explore the North East 250 route with the environment in mind? We have just installed two Tesla electric car charging points and one universal point so you can enjoy a delicious lunch and a browse knowing your car is almost ready for the next leg of the journey. But please don't solely rely on SatNav to get you here (she'll send you on a wild goose chase!) just follow the signs from the Spey Bay roundabout. Or just call us and we can help 01343 612317. 🤗 Explore Scotland's beauty without leaving your mark 💖 #electricdrive #scotspirit
Happy Monday everyone! The children's play area is closed today as we make some improvements but will reopen tomorrow. But if you're all set with the waterproofs come and bring your little ones for a wander round the garden, free of charge for today. ☘️🌼👨👩👧👦🏵️🌺🌷
Last few days of half term! What to do with your little ones? Well the sun is shining, the coffee is hot and it's a beautiful day. Come and enjoy the great outdoors this weekend 🌺🌻🌼🌞 https://www.gordoncastlescotland.com/blog/half-term-fun/
We're hiring! We are looking for a Digital Marketing Assistant to join our team. From ad campaigns to video editing, web development to keyword optimisation, if you're a technical whizz we'd love to hear from you! For details or to apply click here https://goo.gl/Ua96FW Please note, this post is part of the ScotGrad Programme and is part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and European Regional Development Fund (thanks guys!😊)
Feeing the 💕 with our heart throb cupcakes 🎂 and heart coffee happy Valentine's Day everyone!
P A N C A K E S 👌
Did you see us on STV yesterday? Watch our Head Gardener Ed explain all about the garden and our plans for 2018. 🌺🌻🌼
🍔 L U N C H | T I M E 🍴 Here are just a few of the delights on our menu at the moment. We absolutely love meeting new faces in the cafe and garden so please pop by and say hello (we're a friendly bunch!) 😁 For those who don't fancy a meal, we have fresh scones, cakes, soup and coffee for light bites and snacks. Why not try somewhere new this half term? 👨👩👧👦💕 Book your table online https://www.gordoncastlescotland.com/cafe/book-a-table/ or call 01343 612317 #explorelocal
It only feels like yesterday since the children went back to school and now they’re off again! An odd little break, it can be hard to think of things to do – we’re still feeling the pinch from Christmas, the weather isn’t great and there’s nothing good on the television! So what to do with your little cherubs? Although the garden is a little quiet this time of year there is still plenty of fun to be had. Here’s our roundup of half term fun. 🌸🌺🌼🌻☘️ https://www.gordoncastlescotland.com/blog/half-term-fun/
Did you see Fochabers this afternoon on Channel 4's Village of the Year programme? 🤗🌷🌿 Even though we didn't make it to the finals it's so fantastic to see our wonderful little place on the map alongside Christies of Fochabers Garden Centre Fochabers Ice Cream Parlour Speyfest Fochabers Fish Bar A.J. Jamieson Butcher Fochabers. #villageoftheyear Do you think Penelope Keith took a shine to our Head Ghillie Ian Tennant? 🤣🎣 Click play (we're on first!) http://www.channel4.com/programmes/village-of-the-year-with-penelope-keith/on-demand/66532-018
A glorious winters sunset overlooking the garden ❄️🌅 we're open seven days so why not pop along and visit us? #explorescotland
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