Thanks to its position beneath the rain shadow of the Cairngorms and to the last vestiges of the Gulf Stream, which wraps around the very north of Scotland before finally petering out, the coastline of the Moray First is just a little bit warmer than it has any right to be.

This flat band of fertile earth, which lies between the sea and the mountains, is home to a number of renowned and historic gardens, many of them, such as the one at Brodie Castle, that can trace their roots back through many centuries.

There have been Brodies at Forres since the 12th century and the castle, with later additions and improvements, has occupied this site for more than 400 years.Inside there are artworks and historical records while outside the parkland, which is made up of wide lawns and studded with mature trees, contains its own treasures.

At the moment the first of the snowdrops are just about to appear and these will be followed in turn by the daffodils for which this garden is famous. More than 100 years ago, Major Ian Brodie, the 24th Brodie of Brodie began breeding spring’s favourite flowers, keeping detailed records of bulbs and crosses as he sought to produce strong and long-flowering blooms. Much of his collection still remains in the gardens and on-going horticultural detection work continues to track down and return more of the Major’s ‘lost’ daffodils to the estate.

Many of the Major’s most important daffodils are grown within the walled garden, however in early spring the entire grounds are covered in daffodils of all kinds, turning the landscape yellow.

Brodie is also home to a shrubbery garden, made up of aspen, birch and rowan trees with an understorey of rhododendrons and azaleas, around which in spring grow dense carpets of bluebells.

From the Z-plan castle, a straight path leads to the duck pond and to a hide from where visitors can spot some of the wide range of wildlife, including bats, owls, squirrels and otters, that live around the water. Other trails lead through the woods and across the estate and one ends at The Playful Garden, complete with giant white rabbit, which is an exotic collection of children’s activities based on Brodie family history. It is open from March every year.

As with many National Trust for Scotland properties, there are cottages at Brodie where visitors can stay and explore the gardens and the countryside around them. At Brodie that includes the historic Culloden Battlefield and nearby beaches, with their shifting mix of shingle, sandbanks and reminders of the salmon netting industry that once flourished at the mouth of the River Spey. From the coastline there is also the chance to spot the Moray Firth’s resident dolphins which can sometimes be seen leaping from the water.

Open daily, 9am – 5pm

Access to the estate is free during the winter months.

Tel: 01309 641371

www.nts.org.uk

Brodie Castle, Brodie, Forres, Moray IV36 2TE

Directions: Brodie Castle is off the A96, four and a half miles west of Forres and 24 miles east of Inverness.