Letter re Shambellie House

Sep 3 2010 Dumfries Standard Friday

SIR – Last weekend my wife and I had the good fortune to stumble upon the new or rather restored walled garden at Shambellie in New Abbey.

We have always considered New Abbey a magical place, a fact obviously not lost on the monks who founded Sweetheart Abbey and this garden more than reinforces that sentiment.

The garden, part of the Stewart estate, sadly fell into neglect, I believe in the 1960s, but it has now been restored or rather reinvented by one Sheila Cameron whom I believe took five years over its creation, but what a creation!

I firmly believe that this is one of the best walled gardens in Galloway if not Scotland and in the coming years will become a firm favourite of locals and tourists alike, complementing as it does existing village attractions.

This garden ticks all the boxes - as well as being a plantsman’s delight, it is spiritually satisfying and life enhancing as well as providing a visual feast.

Don’t take my word for it - get yourself down to New Abbey and see for yourself. The garden is adjacent to Shambellie House and an additional bonus is that it’s free - open at the weekend and on Mondays.

As for Sheila Cameron - a true visionary - she would be my nomination for the New Year’s Honours list.

Enjoy.

D McGibbon

Hutcheon Place

Heathhall

Dumfries