"The Atholl Palace is one of my favourite places where each year we meet up with good friends and have fun. It's the perfect place to stay in a perfect setting with lovely people looking after us. What more could a person want?"
April/May 2006
Like the rest of the country spring was 2 weeks behind this year, at least, with us. Combined with the cool weather it has been very dry and we have lost some shrubs and plants because of it. However, the new putting green has taken well and we plan to hold an “opening put” on the 2nd of June, the first cut will be done in the first week of May.
The daffodils have been, and still are, a great show. We tend to forget how many bulbs we plant in the autumn, but come spring up they come and deliver lovely swathes of colour just when it’s needed most. In the herb garden hyacinths have brought lovely colour and scent and the Dog’s toothed violet, Pagoda, has been wonderful , although possibly not in the best place to show off it’s delicate flowerheads.
Our new pathways are being well used and , with the growth of new grass, are blending in nicely to the surrounding woodland.
We have made a big effort with our “cut-flower” beds this year, to reflect the growing demand for these fresh flowers in the hotel. Various lilies, iris, ranunculas, gladiola, dahlia, chrysanthemum, wallflower, sweet William and sweet pea form our main armoury.
After a couple of blank years we have the ducks back again this year. We were feeding the ponds in early season to try to keep a breeding pair on site and we have been rewarded with a brood of 14 ducklings. All still survive and are a great attraction, especially to the children….and they will take bread willingly.
The gardens are beginning to come alive, enjoy a walk or a seat in the sun. Innes
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