Caisteal Chaladair - Cawdor Castle A Diary of a year in the gardens commencing July 99 This record begins in July, just after midsummer, when you can watch the Nairnshire sun go down over Ben Wyvis, walk the beach in the twilight and witness the sun return a few hours later. It is a time when the birds sing to their young and new life takes to the skies, a time when some of the finest colours of the summer start to appear.
This page contains entries from 4 July to 31 October
For entries from 31 October
Nairn beach - five miles from Cawdor Week-ending 4 July 99
A week where the temperatures stayed kind to us. We managed to cut the lawns with the Atco mowers, despite the remaining moisture in the ground. This time last year this was a major difficulty as the slightest jerky movement would damage the turf. The herbaceous borders are beginning to come into their own. This year we have at last managed to find the time to have an early start at cutting the maze. It is a treat to slice through the Ilex Auquafolium and as the results are instant compared to the odyssey of the more woody product in the Autumn, there is also an instant sense of satisfaction. A few leaves continue to fall from some of the mature deciduous trees around the Castle - no doubt they were weakened by the high winds of previous weeks.
We spent some time weeding the Thistle Garden the Knot Garden and the Long Border and the White Garden this week. It was enjoyable to see what was developing in these areas: of course you see things in passing but for most gardeners the real treat is to see everything from every angle possible at all times of the year - while you are hard at work of course!
Maximum temperature 18.4ºC
Minimum 7.6ºC Both on Friday 2 7 99Week-ending 11 July 99
Some long hot summer days gave us a chance to get on top of the weeding. We even managed to mulch the Asparagus in the vegetable garden. The vegetable garden, unfortunately, is not open to visitors for health and safety reasons more thananything: there is a lot of machinery and surplus material in this area plus two greenhouses and a former swimming pool. The Veg plot is not all that large but we produce a year-round supply of organic vegetables and although it isn't open we still take a pride in the appearance of this part of the garden.
We didn't have any late frosts this year and the result is the abundance of fruit forming in the orchard. There are many mediaeval varieties of fruit tree here, including, a Medlar; the trees came from the renown Scott's nurseries in Somerset.
A setback is the Mildew that has settled on the Acer Campestre (field maple) that borders the walls surrounding the maze and the Laburnum walk.
Friday was an exceptionally warm day with glorious views across the Moray Firth.
Maximum temperature 27.5ºC
Minimum 11.2ºC Again both on a Friday 9 7 99Week-ending 18 July 99
We found ourselves weeding the shrub borders around the sides of the top walled garden, the one laid out by Sir Archibald Campbell in 1710-1725, based on a design from the gardens at Château Loche in the Loire Valley, France. The present shrubs have been around for about 40 years and as they catch the summer rain you find yourself having to cut back little bits to maintain free access on the paths.
The red currants that line one side of the orchard are now on the turn and this year we have defeated the cunning blackbirds who staged a daring lightening raid on the fruit last year. We enjoy the company of these creatures at most times of the year but they retain the ability to make your heart sink. New garden furniture has arrived in the orchard, giving visitors the chance to linger in this wonderful spot .
Maximum temperature 23.2ºC Monday
Minimum 9.1ºC 9 SundayWeek-ending 25 July 99
A mixed week, weather wise, we got into some of the herbaceous borders for another weed - a delicate operation as you manoeuvre between the taller perennials. I think some of these plants are going to be even taller than the massive heights they achieved last year, it must be because of nature's nitrogen that comes free in the rain. On Wednesday we had an half an hour of torrential rain. It has been suggested that plants know when rain is on its way and actually start the chemical process of growth before it comes so they are in the optimum state to receive the water.
Back to the maze, for more cutting: precious hours here, as the growth starts to harden, making the task difficult. 1,290 Holly young trees all competing to reach the skies before their neighbours.
Every weekend one of us has to pop in at regular intervals to check on the greenhouses and keep an eye out for damaged plants or hazards to the visitors, etc.
One night I walked round in the twilight, as a creamy white moon rose. The growth seemed so much larger against the paler light and the scents were confusing, being blown from all directions on a strong breeze. It just felt like one of those moments when a relationship deepens and friendship becomes stronger.
Maximum temperature 22.2ºC Friday
Minimum 9.4ºC ThursdayWeek-ending 01 August 99
My week in the gardens commenced with a tour party from the West Coast of America - my first tour ever! I was a bit nervous at first but fell into a natural rhythm after a few minutes. The group were a great bunch and hopefully their picture will accompany this entry at some stage. I was worried about things I might not know
and what I would say during the tour - I needn't have bothered there is so much of our work to explain and the questions just lead on to other topics and questions and the gardens do so much of the talking for themselves, then there is the historical and climatic information etc, etc.
The weather has been so kind - the blue skies as a backdrop against the colour of the gardens are literally mesmerising. This prolonged spell of perfect weather has coincided with the garden reaching its peak for the season.
Our work for the week was routine but what joy to see the weeds you have just hoed, drying out and dying in the strong sunshine. Great progress was made this week.John Gray and his party Week-ending 08 August 99
Another quick week, where does time go? The swallows are flying higher now and dancing through the air with thoughts of departure. A couple of Tiger Lilies have grown up through a Witch Hazel and as the flowers have not fully opened yet the illusion of a fruit tree exists - something like a cross between an orange and a banana. The good weather continued until Friday and then turned a little cloudy for the weekend. It remains dry, however, and we have had to begin watering in some of the spots closer to the mature trees. The herbaceous borders continue to display their glories.
Maximum temperature 26.6ºC Wednesday
Minimum 10.6ºC TuesdayWeek-ending 15 August 99
My holidays started on Friday of this week and I am delighted to report that we have finished cutting the maze. We even managed to get back around the fresh growth that was gathering pace. It is a great feeling to stand back at look at the finished article - the view up from the front of the maze to the Castle is always sensational and to the gardeners it gets better every year. Next will be the yew hedges, which will involve various scaffolding arrangements. We had to cut back all the growth on the potato shaws as blight appeared in the leaves at an alarming rate. Thursday saw the first windfall apple from the orchard. The rain returned in sufficient quantity for us to cease watering.
August continues with her marvels and old friends show their colour once more as we approach the climax of the herbaceous season.
Should be heading for France so details of Cawdor will now miss two weeks.
Maximum temperature 20ºC Friday
Minimum 1.9ºC ThursdayWeek-ending 5 September 99
Back after two weeks en La Belle France, very impressed with everything, including the gardens. Saw the gardens at Château Loche in the Loire Valley (see entry for 18 July)
In Cawdor some changes as summer vies with autumn for supremacy. The Eucryphia is in full bloom, the large white flowers are an inspirational sight but also bring about a sadness because you know summer is now on the way out. The Antirrihinnums are a star turn once again, and the Dahlias bloom. In the Orchard the first apples fall there is still a large amount of colour for the time of the year. We have lifted the potatoes and the onions with the help of the dry weather - so dry that we have had to water parts of the gardens. The maze grows again in ideal conditions - we shall cut again. The weather is very hot 24ºC today (Sun 25th) and approaches record temperatures for the time of the year.
On wednesday strange cloud formations formed over the Moray Firth, they seemed like still spinning tops with the layers very distinct, at times as the sunlight fell onthem each layer was edged by the colours of the rainbow. I took pictures from the beach in Nairn at sunset and I hope they do the event justice - many people have told me that they have never seen such clouds. On Friday I heard reports that these clouds had actually caused small tornadoes at sea.
Maximum temperature 25.5ºC Sunday
Minimum 5.2ºC Saturday
Week-ending 12 September 99We needn't have worried about the lack of water, Monday was just like standing in the shower all day and was a serious interruption with hedge cutting plans. The week was dominated by the gales on Wednesday which tore some medium size branches off the more mature trees and knocked some of the flowers and shrubs about. We restored order by the end of Friday afternoon after lots of effort in the gardens, policies and golf course areas with a little bit of help from the Forestry Department and their chainsaws. Temperatures remained warm with plenty of sunshine.
Butterflies appeared and took advantage of the holes made in plums by wasps.
Maximum temperature 20.2ºC Wednesday
Minimum 6.2ºC TuesdayWeek-ending 19 September 99
The mornings bring heavy dews now but still we experience mild weather. Our efforts are still dominated by hedge-cutting activities on top of our normal maintenance. The physical act of cutting with machines and the movement of the scaffolding takes its toll and we can feel quite tired some days but this is the kind of work that has to be tackled head-on with the right attitude, the hedges are not going to go away, they have to be cut every year and we set out to make a good job of them.
The annuals are still enjoying the sunshine and although the garden has past its best visitors are still remarking on the colour. Leaves start to yellow on some of the trees.
Maximum temperature 18.6ºC Sunday
Minimum 4.5C TuesdayWeek-ending 26 September 99
We have just about come to the end of our hedge-cutting activities with the finish of the circular yew hedge that borders the Paradise Garden, this is a big hedge now and wide. At least you get a chance to see some unusual angles to the garden.
Red Admiral butterflies have increased in numbers this week and are attracting the attention of visitors. We make use of the leaf-blowing machine in the mornings now as considerable numbers are falling. The Laburnum by the Wild Garden gate is showing some spectacular yellow tints on the edges of the outer branches.
Colour is still to be seen in the borders and will be until the inevitable first frost. The weather has remained fine apart from some heavy showers towards the end of the week.
Maximum temperature 19.0ºC Tuesday
Minimum 7.0C TuesdayWeek-ending 3 October 99
Plants are giving up and beginning to fade, the Sycamores now join the trees that have started to shed leaves. The sight of leaves on the ground is part of autumn but unfortunately if they accumulate in great numbers on top of the lawns they can deprive the grass of light and cause damage. Consequently we have a little clean up every morning before the castle opens.
Just after 10 am on Monday morning I was helping to pull out the last of the french beans in the Vegetable garden when I heard a familiar autumnal sound: the Greylag Geese were flying in from the North over the Castle - no mistake now, summer has gone.
The Geese are an inspiring site in their close 'V' formations, sometimes they fly at night and you will hear them above low cloud or mist yet be unable to see them, these can be thought provoking moments.
We keep up a tidy appearance, cutting grass edges and the lawns, setting mowers slightly higher, expecting this to be the last cut. It's nice to be away from hedge cutting and back onto other work.
Maximum temperature 16.3ºC Tuesday
Minimum 4.5C SaturdayWeek-ending 10 October 99
The remaining colour from plants in the garden is combing with the rapidly changing autumn colours in the trees and shrubs to produce a grand finale to the season. Sunday was the last day for visitors and soon the gardeners will have everything to themselves once again. It is generally nice weather but a dampness has settled in the lawns and we haven't been able to give the final cut to some areas. Temperatures have been below zero on the grass and concrete thermometers but as of yet have not shown up a deficit on the all important minimum reading that we take from inside the weather box.
Long serving gardener Jimmy Kennedy retired this weekend too: he has been with the estate for over 20 years and is a very popular character at the Castle. We will miss his cheerful attitude and breadth of knowledge but is is under strict instructions from the Countess to return as much as possible and to consider himself still part of the team.
The hours of daylight shorten, leaves turn yellow and fall, time is unstoppable.
Maximum temperature 16.2ºC Saturday
Minimum 1.0C TuesdayWeek-ending 17 October 99
The first full week without visitors, you quickly slip back into the rhythm of having the gardens to yourselves. It is a shame really because there is so much colour to be seen - all the flowers that continue with the rich autumn colours of the trees and shrubs and the sunshine as a canvass. I made a note of some of the more striking plants that still continue: Michelmass Daisies, a marvellous pale pink Verbascum, several Nepetas and the normally late Sedums; for the second time around Sidelcia, Delphiniums, Campanula Latifolia and lupins; also Tradscantia, Artemesia, Geraniums, Phlox. Away from the herbaceous borders you will find the Dahlias still soldiering on, several late roses and clematis and try telling the begonias that summer is finished.
Obviously these plants are not at their summer best but there colours are all the more precious now that you know that they are soon to be doomed at the first decent frost. The week has been dry save for heavy dews and we have been out and about in the sunshine at various tasks. On Friday we started to cut the smaller yew pillars (the yellow ones) - a chance to see the autumn colours from an unusual vantage point.
Derek the Head Gardener is away in Mull competing in a MotorSport rally. We will hear on Monday or Tuesday how he got on
Week-ending 24 October 99
Derek successfully completed the rally in Mull, which is in itself a major achievement: half the starters failed to finish. He was way down the rankings but he didn't expect much on his first outing.
Monday morning brought with it a ground frost that turned the grass white for the first time this autumn. It browned a few Begonias but didn't seem to do too much damage. Enormous quantities of leaves fell on Monday and Tuesday and we collected some off the drives to avoid them turning to mush. Our leaf piles have started to grow. In 3 years time they will became ideal, crumbly leaf mould and find their way back into the gardens.
We took some deadwood out of the maze and weeded all the paths in there. It is still growing which makes you wonder what is happening to the weather. Fruit is still falling from the trees and we have to beat the blackbirds to the orchard each morning. During the week you could sense a change to the weather. I put on an extra jersey and didn't sweat - the real autumn had arrived and then on Friday the temperature shot up to 15.5ºC and Mother Nature confounded us again. The autumn raspberries glisten in the sun and some red currants too still await the chef.
Maximum temperature 14.7ºC Sunday
Minimum 0.7C Wednesday and MondayWeek-ending 31 October 99
Another mild week that commenced with a little dampness but turned bright again: it makes you wonder once againwhat is happening to the seasons.
Thursday night saw a full scale fire practice with the Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade, the gardeners would be assigned jobs in the advent of a real fire in the Castle, as we would be likely to be working in the area anyway. 2,000 litres of water per minute were pumped from a hydraulic platform into the gardens as part of the exercise, we were a little concerned but no substantial damage occurred.
We are now cutting in and training the Laburnums that line three sides of the maze. We select the best shoots and tie them in and cut out the other fresh growths and any canker we find. I find it enjoyable to be up on the scaffolding looking down on the autumn sun hitting the maze, you also get a good panoramic view from that position: over the walls and over to the Hill of the Ord and the flood plain of the River Nairn, and five miles in the distance the spires of the High Church and the Town House.
We still have flowers and green leaves on some trees. Alarming to see is the recent growth in the grass this week. The final day brings us some strong winds to rip the leaves off the trees.
Occasionally I find it irresistible to plunge my gloved hand into compost or leaf heaps to see what the temperature is: our 1999 leave pile is very warm now and Mother Nature has started her work.
I have put some autumn pictures of the gardens onto the site this week, having been delighted with the results when the prints returned from the developers. Here is one of them the rest you can get to from the Picture index link below.For entries from 31 October
