Threave Garden & Nature Reserve NTS

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Threave Garden & Nature Reserve NTS

Threave is the perfect place for a family day out, there’s so much to see and do.

For winter opening times, please check our website or phone for details 01556 502575

17/09/2026

The colour purple…

As the seasons change from summer to autumn so the colour palette starts to change too.

One of the lovely colours just now are shades of purple, and there are plenty to see around the garden.

15/09/2026

Road Closure Notice - Threave Garden Remains Open

Please note that a local road closure from the B736 (Castle Douglas Road) will be in place from 16-18 September.
While access routes will be affected, Threave Garden will remain open as normal throughout this period.

We look forward to welcoming you.

14/09/2026

Hummingbird hawk moths have been abundant this year.

Walking past the border of tender perennials, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a little thing flitting around feeding on the short flowered Salvias. I quickly pulled my phone out and videod it, enjoy!

13/09/2026

The Autumn/Winter edition of our award-winning members’ magazine has just landed!
Packed with inspiring stories from across the Trust and the people who help care for our special places, it’s full of ideas for your next day out. Have you got your copy yet?

10/09/2026

Third week in and learning to use a chipper.

The trainees got to learn how to use a chipper today. Health and safety is obviously paramount and so risk assessments were read and signed, correct personal protective equipment worn and staff with tickets watching over everything.

There are new developments in the nursery area behind the scenes so there’s a bit of prep work needed before it can happen. A small area of hedge had to be removed and rather than store the wood, it has been chipped so it can be used in the garden.

07/09/2026

Something for the pollinators.

Looking absolutely amazing in the walled garden just now is Eupatorium maculatum Atropurpureum Group (now called Eutrochium) and its heavenly for bees and butterflies as well as giving statement foliage and flowers in your borders.

There are the tall ones in our main walled garden borders and a smaller one called E. purpureum ‘Baby Joe’ found on the island beds by the house.

Easy to grow herbaceous perennial, hardy and can be cut back at the end of the season or leave for seed heads until spring. Propagate by division in late autumn/winter to share the joy with your friends.

06/09/2026

Our recommendations for read a book day 📖
Browse our shop for something to inspire. We have plenty to choose from for all ages.

04/09/2026

Keeping traditional countryside skills alive 🪨

A great couple of days at Threave Nature Reserve, running a two-day dry stane dyking course as part of NTS Learn.

The course was led by Head Ranger Dave and Garth Heinrich, both dry stone walling instructors.
Staff attended from across the National Trust for Scotland – Rangers, Gardeners and Estate Workers from House of Dun, Mar Lodge, Brodick Castle and Country Park and Threave, all getting stuck in.

Over the two days we covered the basics of taking down and rebuilding a traditional dry stone d**e, looking at stone selection, foundations, through stones, building to line and batter, and finishing the wall properly.

These are practical skills that still have a very real place in looking after the countryside and our properties, so it is great to be able to pass them on and give colleagues the confidence to put them into practice.

Plenty of stone shifted, plenty learned and a good bit of craic along the way!
13 metres completed, from start to finish 👍👍👍

Thanks to everyone who came along and got stuck in. 👏🪨

National Trust for Scotland

03/09/2026

Semi-ripe cuttings are taught as part of the RHS level 2 practical certificate that the trainees undertake.

The trainees have spent the whole day learning about plants that root well as semi ripe, how to do mallet and heel cuttings as well as how to prepare the material and look after them.

Everyone did well and hopefully the successful ones will be potted in the next few months.

31/08/2026

The Ghost Hunt Returns to Threave House...

On Saturday 5th September, we’re returning to Threave House with our Good Old-Fashioned Ghost Hunt, presented in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland.

Once the doors close for the day, we’ll investigate in small groups, spending time in the turret rooms, Billiard Room and on the main staircase, where a number of curious experiences have been reported.

Footsteps have been heard on the stairs, and during one investigation a guest felt as though someone had pushed past them. Elsewhere in the house, objects have reportedly moved by themselves and shadowy figures glimpsed...

We’d love for you to join us.

**Saturday 5th September, 8pm-2am**

Booking link in the comments and also at the Midsteeple Box Office.

Threave Garden & Nature Reserve NTS

Address

National Trust For Scotland: Threave Garden
Castle Douglas
DG71RX

Website

http://www.nts.org.uk/Threave

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