Ask any gardener what they desire from a new garden and usually topping the wish list is the infamous ‘blank canvas’. But what about the opposite – a garden that’s already been designed, planted and cared for over decades by a dedicated plantswoman? What’s it like to take on an established, much-loved garden?
When Fi and Ed Troughton bought their new home, Kirkside of Lochty, in 2016, they did just that. They were initially drawn by the size of the house – a handsome, red sandstone manse – having discovered during their search that this corner of Scotland is well served for castles and cottages but with far fewer family-sized homes in between. Fi recalls her surprise when she and her family viewed the property, walking around the house to discover
