Logan Botanic Garden

Logan Botanic Garden
©2010 Gazetteer for Scotland

Situated 14 miles (22 km) south of Stranraer near Port Logan in the Rhins of Galloway, Logan Botanical Garden takes advantage of the mild climate generated by the Gulf Stream. A specialist garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Logan extends to 12 ha (30 acres) and features a wide range of rare exotic plants, many of which come from the southern hemisphere.

From the 13th Century, the gardens developed around Castle Balzieland, a stronghold of the McDouall family, the remains of which can just be seen today. The gardens were transformed from the unremarkable to the outstanding under the influence of Agnes Buchan-Hepburn of Smeaton, who married James McDouall in 1869. She passed her enthusiasm on to her sons, who travelled the world collecting plants and also obtained seed from plant hunters, such as George Forrest (1873 - 1972) of the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. In 1969, parts of the estate were given to the nation and became part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, who restored and enhanced the garden.

The fine Logan House remains in private hands to the north.

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