Portrack, The Garden of Cosmic Speculation

Forty major areas, gardens, bridges, landforms, sculptures, terraces, fences & architectural works. Covering thirty acres, the Garden of Cosmic Speculation uses nature to celebrate nature, both intellectually and through the senses, including the sense of humour. A water cascade of steps recounts the story of the universe; a terrace shows the distortion of space and time caused by a black hole; a "Quark Walk" takes the visitor on a journey to the smallest building blocks of matter and a series of landforms and lakes recall fractal geometry.

Charles Jencks and his late wife, Maggie Keswick, conceived this unique garden in 1989 and it has been evolving ever since.

DIRECTIONS

Holywood one and a half miles off A76, five miles north of Dumfries.

OPENING TIMES

Sunday 30 April 2017 11:00pm - 5:00pm
This is the sole public opening date for 2017.

PARKING

Parking is in the fields adjacent to the gardens and will be clearly signed from the A76. There is no charge for parking. Please wear sensible footwear as it can get very muddy in the car park and gardens. The garden opening is one of the most popular in the SG calendar, so please bear with us during busy times. We would like to make sure that everyone is parked safely.

SPECIAL NOTE

Given how popular the event is the small farm lanes giving access to the car parking fields can get congested. We aim to keep traffic moving as quickly as we can and you may have an easier arrival if you aim to get to the estate after the official opening time (or indeed later). It takes around 2 hours to walk the full garden.

Please use the portaloos in the car park as there are no public toilet facilities in the garden or tea area.

BENEFICIARIES

Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres receives 40%, the net remaining to SG Beneficiaries

FEATURES & CATERING

Disabled access is extremely limited. Refreshments are limited to teas. Dogs are welcome on a lead. The Upper Nithsdale Pipe Band will perform at 1.30pm and 3pm near the teas, weather permitting.

OTHER DETAILS

Concession price of £5.00 will be available at the gate for students and those aged 65+.

We do not have a telephone number or email address for Charles Jencks. If you wish to contact him please write to him at the address shown.

Photo courtesy of Ming Thein | mingthein.com, 2015

Portrack House - 2017 Opening for Scotland's Gardens