"Atholl Palace is a wonderful place to visit. The staff are very helpful and polite, nothing is a problem! The food is amazing and the rooms are made up daily. This is great for either a weekend break or stay for a week. Great for couples or families. The spa is also brilliant and relaxing. Book now and stay, you won't be disappointed!"
July 2007
Sadly the “Pitlochry Secret Gardens” day on August the 5th was a washout. In line with the general summer weather, this year, it lashed all day. A great shame because, apart from the considerable preparation that went into the event, there are some lovely private gardens open on the day. Next year it will be done again.
The poor summer continues and it is surprising that any flowers are blooming at all. However the sweat peas are putting in a late flourish, the roses are blooming well and the herbaceous borders look very well, albeit some of the taller flowers have collapsed a bit in the wind and rain. The greatest disappointment has been the lilies. Normally a great mid-season show this year they have struggled. The individuals, or small groups, planted in the borders have faired reasonably but it is the massed groups of 200, in the cut-flower bed, which have failed. Luckily we had a visit from the “Scotland in Bloom” judges. Botrytis was diagnosed, probably due to the season. One remedy is to burn the lot but I think we will give them another chance….feed them well and give a pre-fungal treatment next spring …..and hope for the best.
August is a busy time for the “Pitlochry in Bloom” committee. All sorts of judging categories of which we, at the Palace, do our share. The modern emphasis seems to be more on community involvement in the wider environment rather than masses of gaudy, hanging baskets. No bad thing in my opinion and our extensive path network and interpretive signage all help the cause.
Perhaps the poor summer will give way to spectacular autumn colours, even a late burst of sunshine and warmth. As a gardener you have to be an optimist. Innes
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