Finlaystone Blog

ALTHOUGH we are now coming to the end of our autumn colours there is still plenty to see in the woods and gardens. The ongoing reasonable weather has allowed time to carry out tasks in the garden which might otherwise have been delayed normally because of frost or snow; weeding of the winter border and covering with our home-made compost; cutting down of Gunnera leaves and using these to protect the crowns of the plant from severe frost; winter pruning of gooseberry bushes; cutting back of herbaceous perennials and  overhauling the Smelly Garden, were some of the tasks that we managed to get through this month. Many thanks go to our two new garden volunteers; Isabel and Katherine for the extra help they have provided. Favourite plant for December has to be Mahonia x Media ‘Charity’ of which many fine examples can be viewed throughout the garden; they have exotic looking flower heads, producing masses of yellow blooms which omit a gorgeous scent through the cold winter months and are followed by blue/black berries to add further interest. Hardwood cuttings can be taken in winter, but beware of their very prickly foliage. The winter border now has many examples of Helleborous with the Christmas rose – Helleborous Niger -- already showing the first of its ice white blooms. Bulbs are well on their way, with Leucojum (snowflake), already through and waiting to produce a fine display.

Christmas tree cutting

Our woodland work has mainly been concentrating on rhododendron control but we have also had to keep paths and driveways clear of leaves where we can. Fortunately we have not had to do any snow shovelling yet, but it probably will not be long! Much work in the forthcoming weeks will be spent on Christmas trees and people are already visiting to ‘tag’ them. Have you tagged yours yet?

We are very grateful to the ‘Youth Section of Greenock Players’ who performed at our ‘Hallowe’en’ activities and, although visitor numbers were down, probably because of the torrential rain, everyone enjoyed the shows.

Swollen waterfall. Click for bigger photo

Our next event is a ranger-guided walk entitled ‘Getting to Know Yew’ on Sunday (27 November) and is our way of celebrating ‘National Tree week’. At the end of the walk, visitors will be able to help decorate trees on Captain’s Field. We are also starting to gear up for December when we will be harvesting and selling our Christmas trees in addition to hosting Santa’s grotto’ and craft stalls each weekend in the run up to Christmas. Langbank Singers will be making a guest appearance to entertain our visitors on the afternoon of Sunday 11 December when they will be singing Christmas carols. In addition, on Sunday 4 and Sunday 18 December, we will have a first for Finlaystone when students from Port Glasgow High School’s drama club will perform. They will be staging a short pantomime of Cinderella, roughly 30 minutes in length, in all the tradition of pantomime and will have their very own dame and good overcoming evil!! 'Oh no you won't' 'Oh yes we will'! The first performance takes place at noon, then 1pm, 2pm and last performance at 3pm. Please come along and support them.

Our ‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter’ pages are building up quite a number of people who either ‘like us’ or ‘follow us’ to keep up with what’s happening. We are now listed as one of the ‘Greats of Great Britain’ on the web site www.thegreatexhibition2012.co.uk/greats and would be pleased if you could vote for us as it is a ‘great’ way of raising our profile and promoting the estate.

For people who visit relatively regularly, you may like to know that autumn/winter memberships are now available. They run from now until 31 March 2012 and cost £33 for a family, £18.75 for a single or £16 for a concession. This allows you unlimited access to our woodlands, formal gardens and any non-ticketed events. We will also be running a special Christmas membership promotion which includes 15 months membership for the price of 12 for those who are looking for that special gift.

Have you ever wanted to commemorate a special family occasion or do something to remember someone who may have passed away? If so, we have two opportunities which might be of interest. The first is to provide a commemorative bench for the walled garden and the second is to plant a commemorative tree. Contact at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or check out the website for further information.

Garden volunteer Isabel, pictured, took advantage of this recently when she arranged for a tree to be planted to celebrate her mother’s 100th birthday. The tree, a Cercis Canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’, commonly known as Eastern Redbud or Judas tree, was planted in the courtyard bed in the walled garden to replace a Prunus which was blown down in the late summer storms.

Just in case anyone who has visited recently is wondering what all the disruption is about, we are installing a bio-mass heating system which will provide heat and hot water to the stable block and the Mansion House. This will be powered by wood chip which will be produced as a by product from the woodland management work we undertake. It will see another arrow in our ‘green armoury’ to compliment the hydro scheme which is powered by the burn and the solar/photovoltaic panels on the mansion house and some of the other dwelling houses on the estate. There will be more information about this in future blogs as the development progresses.

The tearoom is only open now at weekends between noon and 4pm (but hot drinks are available in the visitor centre, Monday to Friday between 11am and 4pm). Frances continues to offer a selection of drinks including freshly ground coffee, hot and cold snacks, homemade soups, a range of homemade healthy meals and a selection of wonderful home baking

Craft stall bookings are coming in very well for the first three weekends in December. There will be a great variety of stalls this year so there should be plenty of choice to find those last minute presents. Please contact Norah on 01475 540505 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like further information.

Holly wreaths made on the estate can now be ordered for Christmas.

Forthcoming Events

Sunday 27 November, 1pm to 4pm -- Getting to Know ‘Yew’ Celebrate ‘ National Tree Week’ by joining a Ranger-led guided walk  around the woodlands and decorating trees on Captain’s Field.

Saturday/Sunday 3/4, 10/11, 17/18 December, 1 to 4pm -- Santa’s Grotto. Ticket only. Follow the woodland trail to find Santa. Tickets cost £9.50 per child (one accompanying adult free).

Saturday/Sunday 3/4, 10/11, 17/18 December, 11am – 4pm -- Festive Craft stalls in the courtyard. A variety of stalls each day so no excuse for not finding that special Christmas present!

Sunday 4 and 18 December -- Cinderella – short pantomime by Port Glasgow High. Performances start on the hour from 12 noon.

Sunday 11 December -- ‘Langbank Singers’ will be singing Christmas Carols between 1.45pm and 3pm. Please join in and support them.