Aberdeen was not very welcoming, in fact the most unfriendly place we visited in Scotland – at least concerning weather and traffic. The people as friendly as all Scots we met of course. There is a gem carefully hidden though, in that city. Hard to find – not even signposted – but a couple of young men in a van volunteered to take us there. We just had to follow them…not easily done in that traffic, but we finally got there. Duthie Park and The David Welch Winter Gardens.

On 5 July 1880 Miss Duthie, a local benefactor, stated that she wanted to create a public park to the memory of her uncles and brothers. And so, in August 1881, she and the Earl of Aberdeen cut the first turf and two years later the park was opened by Princess Beatrice.

According to what I had read about it, we were supposed to find, among many other flower beds, the famous rose mountain of 120.000 roses. Unfortunately these roses were no longer there, and the park seemed a bit neglected. Some parts of it was still well kept though.

Single specimens and flowers where lovely, especially the different thistles. The blue and purple colours are favourites of mine.

Their proper names where unfortunately not to be found anywhere.

Ordinary plume thistle? I guess this one is specially grown for gardens.

Very well kept gardens, and well planned, were The David Welch Winter Gardens, situated inside the Duthie Park. Originally erected in 1899 and designed by the city architect, Mr Rust, it was restored and rebuilt in 1970 after a heavy storm. The Gardens cover two acres and contains plants from all around the world. Today they are the third most visited gardens in Scotland.

The different areas are: Tropical House, Arid House, Victorian Corridor, Courtyards and Japanese Garden, Temperate House, Corridor of Perfumes, Fern House. Here’s a small taste of them!

Victorian Corridor, Pelargonias, Begonias and Fuchsias

Beautiful Begonias

Strong colour compositions and combinations everywhere

Carnivorous plants

One of the largest collections of cacti in the UK

Some of my absolute favourites belong to the Fern House, and of course the Victorian Corridors and the Arid House were impressive as well.

Victorian Corridors of hanging baskets

Arid House

The steamy Tropical House

An absolute dream, the Fern House