Bennachie Gardens

Over 2000 years ago people either collected and grew their food on the lower slopes of Bennachie. In the 1800s a group of people called the Colonists lived on the slopes of the hill.

Today you can still see the remains of their homes if you follow the Colony Trail starting at the Bennachie Visitor Centre. It was a tough life, and most homes had a kailyard or kitchen garden. The Bailies have recreated a Kailyard at Shepherd’s Lodge. In this kailyard, you will see gooseberries, raspberries blackcurrants and rhubarb, the colonists would have also planted potatoes, kale and turnips and oats in the fields nearby.