Threave Garden — Attraction in Scotland

Outrageous entry cost to walk round alot of lawn steep hills and trees. £25 for 3 adults and a child. We were only passing and popped in so Mum could see plants. When we saw how steep the grounds were we asked if a mobility scooter was available, this was not straightforward as one would need to be brought over and mum "tested on it " to see if safe. We were causing a huge queue at the till so agree a wheelchair would do. We were assured grounds were wheelchair friendly. THEY ARE NOT. Steep gradients, Mum nearly feel out at one point, took 2 to hold the chair back, rough sloping poorly maintained tarmac paths, grass paths, gravel paths, crazy paving paths with deep cracks impossible to push chair through. Dead end paths with no signage. Flowerbeds (what few there were) all set well back from the tarmac so Mum couldn't see or get close to the flowers. We couldn't get around rock garden atall. Couldn't get into glass house as couldn't get over threshold. Considering the entry cost the wheelchair was also was in poor condition, brake rubbing wheels so making noise and harder to push. We spent an exhausting hour struggling round the grounds before giving up, then went to the overpriced cafe. We have visited many gardens elsewhere with no such issues. A expensive nice day out if you are strong, fit and mobile, don't bother if you need sticks, a walker or a wheelchair. Not enough to see to justify the cost. Take your own scooter and charge it up...

The car park is really small and there no overflow and it doesn't take long for the car park to get full. There is no electric charge points. The main reception has a cafe/shop and toilets. Threave house is a short walk up a small hill. Where you will be greeted buy a member of NTS who will ask you if you want information on the person who built/lived in the house or just want to go in and look around. The staff member was very knowledgeable and I enjoyed what he had to say and it only took a few minutes. The house is only open in certain area as it is still in use. It also closes earlier than the gardens. If you have walking issues the stairs maybe a problem. The house has 3 floors. The views from threave house out to the gardens and hill side are stunning. The walled garden is really nice with lots of information as to what has been planted. There is lots of trails that takes you about the garden and through the trees. The play park behind the stables cafe is really small. There is 2 different area for different age groups but they could have made it in to one. The cafe is only open on certain days and there is toilets at back of the cafe but there open everyday till the gardens close. There is lots of benches dotted...

As part of our week away in Dumfries and Galloway we had identified Threave Garden and Nature Reserve as a place of interest and one we wished to visit. As we have three small dogs the one thing we always do is 1) check dogs are permitted and 2) ensure we read and understand the do's and don'ts. Travelling around an hour from our location near Moffat we arrived, parked up, walked the dogs on nearby grass then all proceeded to the entrance. Before I was able to get my National Trust membership cards out, the SNT person said 'oh I see you have three dogs..' but in a way that made us feel like school children. We were then treated to a list of what we had to do, where we could and couldn't go as well as being reminded 'this is a training garden'. While not all dog owners are the same we didn't appreciate the lecture, which was nothing short of rude and although we walked to look in the glass house and walled garden, we stayed no more than 30 minutes, which is a shame as the gardens are fantastic but our enthusiasm had gone. We plan to visit Dumfries and Galloway next year and will try to visit Threave again, only this time I hope the customer experience will...