North Ellon - Pitmedden Garden

The foundation stone for the colorful Pitmedden Garden was laid on May 2, 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton. The gardens came under the administration of the National Trust for Scotland in 1952 and are situated 14mi/22.4km northwest of Aberdeen. The floral designs, bushes and shrubs laid out around the central fountain follow a strict geometrical pattern and are a showpiece of Baroque garden landscaping. Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh was the model for three of the four flower beds. "Tempus Fugit" is the subject of the southeast parterre, centered on a sundial, while the northwest parterre displays the heraldic emblem of Sir Alexander Seton, flanked by Scotland's saltire and thistle. The history of the garden from 1675 is recounted in one of the