This forbidding, grey stone Braco castle gives no hint of the delights to come. A velvety moss path leads through an arboretum of monkey puzzles, oaks climbed by roses, majestic beeches, and rhododendrons. The woodland opens out into pasture, which had winding paths mown through it. Without warning a beautiful pond was revealed. Lady’s mantle, ferns and a stunning hoheria overhung the edge. Paths lead in all directions, offering views of the 19th-century landscaped garden. There is a great variety of trees, shrubs and plants to discover, including, to the front of the house, a natural meadow, rich in wildflowers.
