Attadale Gardens is a 20-acre woodland garden on the shore of Loch Carron in Wester Ross, Highland, Scotland, featuring water gardens, rhododendrons and a sculpture collection. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 10am to 5pm daily, 1 April to 31 October; closed November to March |
| Admission | Adult £12.50, Child (under 16) free, Season ticket £30 |
| Address | Attadale Gardens, Strathcarron, Wester Ross, IV54 8YX, Scotland |
| Nearest public transport | Attadale railway station (200 metres); request stop on Inverness-Kyle line |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
| Property type | Woodland garden with water features, Japanese garden, geodesic dome and sculptures |
Attadale Gardens opening hours
Attadale Gardens is open daily from 1 April to 31 October, with opening hours from 10am to 5pm. The gardens close for winter from November to March. An audio tour is available via QR code at the gatehouse. Guided tours can be arranged in advance.
Attadale Gardens ticket prices
Admission is £12.50 per adult (aged 16+). Children under 16 enter free. Season tickets cost £30 per adult and provide unlimited visits from April to October. Season tickets can be purchased online or on arrival at the gatehouse. Day tickets can only be purchased on arrival; online booking is not available for single-day visits. Payment is accepted by cash or card. Wheelchair users are admitted free due to limited paved areas.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026, but may change in future. Double check on the Attadale Estate website before setting off.
How to get to Attadale Gardens
By train: Attadale railway station is located 200 metres from the garden entrance. The station is a request stop on the Far North Line between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh. Passengers must inform the conductor before arrival or signal the driver from the platform. ScotRail operates approximately three to four trains daily in each direction, Monday to Saturday only (no Sunday service). The journey from Inverness takes approximately 2 hours. From Attadale station, turn right and enter through the pedestrian gate for direct access to the gardens.
By bus: No regular bus service stops directly at Attadale Gardens. The nearest bus service is Stagecoach route 704, which stops in Lochcarron village, 3 miles away. From Lochcarron, visitors can take a taxi (approximately £9-12) or walk along the A890 (approximately 45 minutes).
By car: From Inverness (52 miles), take the A9 north, then A832 and A890 west to Strathcarron. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Attadale Gardens is located on the A890 between Strathcarron and South Strome on the south side of Loch Carron. The main vehicle entrance is signposted from the A890.
By taxi: Taxis from Strathcarron to Attadale Gardens take 5 minutes and cost approximately £9-12. From Inverness, taxis cost £55-75 and take 1 hour 15 minutes.
Parking at Attadale Gardens
Free parking is available on-site in the visitor car park located before the garden entrance. The car park accommodates approximately 30-40 vehicles. Disabled visitors are welcome to drive up to Attadale House and park closer to the main garden areas. Inform staff at the gatehouse if requiring accessible parking near the house.
How long to spend at Attadale Gardens
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at Attadale Gardens. This allows time to explore the water gardens, woodland walks, sunken garden, Japanese garden, geodesic dome, kitchen garden and sculpture collection. The self-guided audio tour provides commentary as visitors wander at their own pace. Visitors taking refreshments at the Midge Bite café or purchasing plants from the kitchen garden polytunnel may extend their stay to 3-4 hours.
Accessibility at Attadale Gardens
Attadale Gardens has limited paved areas throughout the 20-acre site. Paths are predominantly gravel, grass or uneven woodland trails with some steep slopes, steps and bridges. Due to limited accessibility, wheelchair users are admitted free. A wheelchair is available for loan; contact the gardens in advance on 01520 722217 to reserve. Visitors with limited mobility can drive to Attadale House and park near the main garden areas by arrangement with staff. The gardens are not fully accessible to all wheelchair users or visitors requiring level paths.
What to see at Attadale Gardens
The gardens were started in the late 19th century by Baron Schroder and developed over the past 40 years by Nicky and Ewen Macpherson. The Gulf Stream and surrounding hills create a microclimate supporting diverse plantings. Visitors enter through the water gardens featuring ponds, waterfalls, streams and bridges. Ancient rhododendron specimens with huge trunks grow throughout the woodland areas.
The Japanese garden contains traditional design elements and plantings. A geodesic dome houses a fern collection. The sunken garden and peace garden provide formal planting areas. The kitchen garden includes a polytunnel where plants grown in the gardens are sold. A herb garden features culinary and medicinal plants.
Sculptures by various artists are placed throughout the 20 acres, forming a sculpture trail. Works range from contemporary abstract pieces to figurative sculptures, integrated into the woodland and garden settings. Visitors can search for pieces hidden among the plantings.
Tree specimens include rare and exotic varieties from around the world. The mature woodland garden contains specimen trees, native species and plantings that thrive in the mild west coast climate. The collection includes trees labelled with botanical information.
Views extend across Loch Carron to the Isle of Skye. The gardens occupy a hillside site with viewpoints overlooking the loch and surrounding Highland landscape.
The Midge Bite café operates at Attadale Gardens as a DIY (self-service) facility on an honesty system. Homemade sandwiches, cakes, ice cream, coffee, tea and canned drinks are available. The café serves light refreshments suitable for picnics in the gardens.
Practical tips
| Tip |
|---|
| If travelling by train, inform the conductor before arrival that you wish to stop at Attadale station, as it is a request stop only. |
| Wear waterproof walking boots or sturdy footwear as paths are gravel, grass or uneven woodland trails that may be muddy. |
| Purchase a season ticket (£30) if planning to visit more than twice during April-October, as it provides better value than day tickets. |
| Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short lead at all times due to the garden environment and wildlife. |
| Day tickets cannot be purchased online; arrive at the gatehouse to pay on entry during opening hours. |
| The gardens are on a hillside with slopes and uneven surfaces; allow extra time if mobility is restricted. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Attadale Gardens suitable for children? | Yes. Children under 16 enter free. Family-friendly activities and interactive elements are available. The water features, sculptures and woodland areas provide interest for all ages. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No. Day tickets are purchased on arrival at the gatehouse. Season tickets can be purchased online or on arrival. |
| Is Attadale Gardens open on Sundays? | Yes. When the gardens are open (April-October), they operate daily including Sundays from 10am to 5pm. |
| Are dogs allowed? | Yes. Dogs are welcome on short leads at all times. Biodegradable waste bags and composting facilities are provided at two sites before the car parks. |
| Can you take photographs? | Yes. Photography is permitted throughout the gardens for personal use. |
| Is there a café? | Yes. The Midge Bite café operates as a DIY self-service facility with homemade sandwiches, cakes, ice cream and drinks on an honesty system. |
Things to do near Attadale Gardens
Plockton (6 miles): Picturesque coastal village with palm trees, harbour, seal-watching boat trips including Calum’s Seal Trips, cafés and restaurants.
Eilean Donan Castle (11 miles): 13th-century castle on a small island at the junction of three sea lochs, featured in Highlander and James Bond films. One of Scotland’s most photographed castles.
Bealach na Bà (Pass of the Cattle) (via Lochcarron and Kishorn, 25 miles): One of Britain’s highest roads with hairpin bends climbing to 626 metres, offering panoramic views across to Skye and the Outer Hebrides.
Applecross (30 miles): Remote peninsula village accessible via Bealach na Bà or coastal road, with Applecross Inn serving seafood, beaches and traditional Highland atmosphere.
Strome Castle (5 miles): Ruined 15th-century castle on a rocky promontory overlooking Loch Carron, managed by National Trust for Scotland.
More Scottish Highlands travel
Other Scottish Highlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Live out your Outlander fantasies at Beauly Priory and the Clava Cairns.
- Explore Scottish history at Fort George and Culloden Battlefield.
- How – and why – to get to the Commando Memorial in the Scottish Highlands.
- The logistics of stopping at the Loch Tulla Viewpoint.
- What to expect at the Falls of Shin near Lairg.
