
A wettish spring is settling into a glorious opening to summer and the garden is looking as fresh and full as I have seen it in ages. We still have rhododendrons flowering! I have never seen them so full of colour a week into December before. And the dogwoods have been magnificent. First there was Eddies White Wonder, then Milky Way, now we have Cornus kousa Constellation flowering on the path near the restaurant with more flower than any dogwood I have ever seen before and the elegant starry bracts living up to its name!

Below you will see we have added two musical events, 'Music of the Highlands & Islands', to our Twilight Series. There will be more information as we get closer to the dates but tickets are on sale now.
In the meantime there's Macbeth coming up later this month. Perhaps you have spotted there's a Scottish theme running throughout the entire summer? Well why not! My mum was a McPhee and a grandmother was a MacGowan, and there are Campbells floating about on both sides of the family. I'm sure most of us have a few Scots lurking below us on the family tree, or there's some next door, or across the street. So, let all your Scottish friends and relies know what's on and that tickets are sailing out the door - they also make great stocking fillers!

Coming up in our Twilight Series

Duck Duck Goose at Cloudehill Gardens
Music of the Highlands & Islands
Saturday 28th January 2017 at 6pm
Adults $25 Children (up to 16 years) $15
Forming part of our Music of the Highlands and Islands Twilight Series, Sarah Wade and Jessica Foot are Duck Duck Goose. They bring you popular and haunting melodies from the inns and castles of Scotland and dance music from over the border, France and Scandinavia. Jess (oboe and fiddle) and Sarah (small pipes and concertina) provide commentary on many of the places inspiring their wonderful music.

Evergreen Ensemble at Cloudehill Gardens
Music of the Highlands & Islands
Saturday 25th February 2017 at 6pm
Adults $30 Children (up to 16 years) $20
Forming part of our Music of the Highlands and Islands Twilight Series, Evergreen Ensemble brings you 'Airs for the Seasons', a musical tour through a Scottish country garden. Shane Lestideau (violin), Rosy Hunt (cello), Jessica Foot (oboe and fiddle) and Simon Rickard (bassoon) bring you works from 18th century Scotland by James Oswald, each piece inspired by a flower or vegetable with commentary by Simon Rickard. Also pieces by Purcell, McGibbon and fiery Scottish jigs and reels.
See you in the garden (or at a show!)
Jeremy Francis