Tornaveen
This beautiful manor house, situated in rural West Aberdeenshire, is surrounded by tranquil birch woodlands and enjoys spectacular views of Clachnaben and Lochnagar. Although the house has a traditional aesthetic, it is a modern build under 10 years old. The garden design needed to complement the home’s classic style while integrating it seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
At the heart of the garden lies a large Yorkstone patio, accessible from the kitchen, which serves as a central gathering space. This area is bordered by deep, curving planting beds filled with tall, herbaceous perennials that bring vibrant color and texture throughout the seasons. A short timber trellis adds structure, while the terrace includes a herb garden and a generous dining area with views extending over a meticulously maintained lawn and the rolling countryside beyond.
Given the garden’s exposure to strong southern winds, creating shelter was an essential part of the design. Planting schemes were carefully chosen to provide both protection and harmony with the environment, ensuring comfort without compromising the open, scenic feel of the space.
To enhance biodiversity and evoke a naturalistic charm, areas of long grass and wildflowers are allowed to grow under the trees. Pathways of neatly mown lawn wind through these meadows, inviting exploration and creating a seamless connection between different parts of the garden.
Adjacent to the master bedroom, a smaller patio offers a secluded retreat, surrounded by fragrant roses and lavender for a timeless and calming atmosphere. Across the property, planting was used to soften the house’s edges and integrate it naturally with its surroundings, enhancing its visual appeal from the outside while framing captivating views from within.
This garden design creates a perfect balance between aesthetic beauty and practical function, connecting the home to its landscape and offering a variety of spaces to enjoy throughout the year.
"When we returned to Aberdeen from London after twenty two years, we left behind a really nice garden which we had developed once the kids stopped playing football. While we liked our new house very much, the garden was a major disappointment. It was a small town plot, which we couldn’t change.....
"We needed to undertake a major overhaul of our garden once our house was built. We did not really have a ‘vision’ and needed someone with the expertise in both design and knowledge of flora and fauna.....
"When we contacted Terra Foras our city centre back garden was overgrown, uneven, difficult to keep on top of and lacked a decent seating area. It was desperately needing a makeover on a big scale, so we knew we needed to get the professionals in.....
“Our garden was looking uncared for due to the structure of the garden making it difficult. It wasn't suitable to give our children the freedom to play in it with some features making it unsafe. We also didn’t have the time needed, to maintain it properly as it was.....
"It was Terra Foras’s design led approach and innovative thinking that attracted us to them. We hoped the garden redesign would create a visually exciting and very useable external space. This has, without question, been achieved.....
"When we returned to Aberdeen from London after twenty two years, we left behind a really nice garden which we had developed once the kids stopped playing football. While we liked our new house very much, the garden was a major disappointment. It was a small town plot, which we couldn’t change.....
"We needed to undertake a major overhaul of our garden once our house was built. We did not really have a ‘vision’ and needed someone with the expertise in both design and knowledge of flora and fauna.....
"When we contacted Terra Foras our city centre back garden was overgrown, uneven, difficult to keep on top of and lacked a decent seating area. It was desperately needing a makeover on a big scale, so we knew we needed to get the professionals in.....
“Our garden was looking uncared for due to the structure of the garden making it difficult. It wasn't suitable to give our children the freedom to play in it with some features making it unsafe. We also didn’t have the time needed, to maintain it properly as it was.....
"It was Terra Foras’s design led approach and innovative thinking that attracted us to them. We hoped the garden redesign would create a visually exciting and very useable external space. This has, without question, been achieved.....