Owners ‘delighted’ after Dornoch garden scoops nationwide award for use of natural stone
A Sutherland garden has earned national recognition after taking top prize in the Domestic Landscape category at the Natural Stone Awards.
Described as an “exemplary model of sustainable design and practice”, Dornoch’s Seaview Farm and Gardens stood out for its combination of traditional craftsmanship and sustainable design at the London-based awards.
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The house and garden structure were designed by Maxwell & Company (Inverness), and the garden’s striking dry-stone walls were built by the dry-stone craftsmen at Alasdair Mackenzie Stonemasons, of Portmahomack.
The garden design was overseen by Robert Grant of Inverurie, formerly Head of Gardens & Designed Landscapes for the National Trust for Scotland.
Structural engineering input came from Andy Mackay, while Seaview’s head gardener, Skye Buchanan, from Tain, manages the grounds today.
Todd Warnock and Elizabeth Chamberlain, owners of Seaview Farm and Gardens said working on the project with the team had been “great fun”.
“James Maxwell has been our architect at Links House, The Carnegie Courthouse and Seaview House so we have worked together for many years,” they explained.
“We spent a great deal of time planning the walled garden design particularly the depth and serpentine walls - it was great fun.
“We were so delighted with the skill and commitment of Alasdair Mackenzie and his team. Alasdair, Freddy Jamison, Tommy Gordon worked tirelessly for over two years.”
The Natural Stone Awards, hosted by the Stone Federation of Great Britain, are held biennially and celebrate excellence in the use of natural stone across a variety of architectural and landscape projects in the UK, recognising both craftsmanship and design.
Speaking after the awards, Alasdair Mackenzie said: “We are grateful for the recognition as an exemplary model of sustainable design and practice, guided by traditional craftsmanship, and dry-stone walling techniques”.
James Maxwell added: “The project was an ideal fusion of an enlightened client, a stunning site and a master craftsman, which produced a garden with historic design precedent, sustainable construction and environmental sensitivity.”
Over 300 tons of reclaimed sandstone and masonry, much sourced from the nearby derelict Nigg Ferry Hotel, were used in the build.
Set against the backdrop of the traditionally built Seaview House, the sunken garden overlooks the familiar waters of the Dornoch Firth.
Towering dry-stone walls, some more than 25 feet high, are paired with raised soil berms to shield the garden from prevailing winds.
South-facing enclosures double as netted berry cages, producing blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, while a lavender farm spreads beyond.
