Blooming lovely gardens around Tayside and Fife are being put firmly on a map created to drive green-fingered tourism.
Garden tourism group Discover Scottish Gardens has launched a printed map of Scotland to encourage locals and tourists to visit gardens and attractions throughout the country.
In total 37 Courier Country gardens are among more than 130 listed, from public and private gardens to woodlands, plant nurseries and accommodation with gardens to explore.
Gardens featured in Fife’s 16 include Cambo Gardens, Falkland Palace, Aberdour Castle, Kellie Castle, Hill of Tarvit Mansion and Wemyss Castle.
The University of Dundee Botanic Garden, Pitmuies gardens, Ashbrook nursery, Brechin Castle and Dunninald Castle gardens are some of the 11 entries from the Dundee and Angus areas.
Meanwhile, Branklyn garden, Blair Castle, Drummond Castle gardens, Scone Palace and Cluny House gardens are among 10 representing Perthsire.
According to a Scottish visitor attraction monitor in 2017, visits to Scottish gardens increased by 10.9% from 2016 to 2017.
Research also highlighted the fact that there were more opportunities to grow the number of international visitors, which currently make up only 6% of garden visitors to Scotland every year.
Catherine Erskine, the chairwoman of Discover Scottish Gardens, said: “Our brand new map of Scotland will help locals and tourists discover beautiful and varied gardens.
“We want people to be inspired by Scotland’s breathtaking scenery and learn more about our diverse climate and plant collections that thrive here.”
She added that Scottish gardens were a huge asset and Discover Scottish Gardens continually strives to maximise on the potential to grow their popularity.
“The new map will equip visitors with a list of some of the best gardens in the region, helping them make the most of their visit, or for locals, discover something new right on their doorstep.
“They can even create their own garden route within Scotland.
“With the amazing weather we’ve been experiencing recently, now is the perfect time to pick up a map and go exploring.”
The maps can be picked up from a host of places including the Overgate and Wellgate centres, Camperdown Park and Dundee Botanic Garden, St Andrews Botanic Garden, Falkland Palace, Deep Sea World in North Queensferry, Eden Mill Brewery and various shopping centres, bus stations, hotels, gifts shops, tourist attractions and information sites across the country.
To find a local garden visit the website.
