The Beauty of Kierfiold Garden

The garden at Kierfiold House was open last Sunday, 20 July, as part of Scotland’s Garden Scheme, and it was my great pleasure to visit it. I’ve been researching the Victorian gardeners of Orkney for my upcoming book and Kierfiold features in it. The garden is 150 years old with a high wall protecting its…

theorkneynews

July 27, 2025

2–3 minutes

Breckness Estate, gardeners, gardens, Kierfiold, plants, Scotland’s Gardens Scheme

The garden at Kierfiold House was open last Sunday, 20 July, as part of Scotland’s Garden Scheme, and it was my great pleasure to visit it.

the grass pathway and to the right of the picture the large flower border

I’ve been researching the Victorian gardeners of Orkney for my upcoming book and Kierfiold features in it. The garden is 150 years old with a high wall protecting its flower beds from the winds. It’s resulted in micro climates and the formation of gardens within the garden.

a view through to one of the gardens within with completely different plants, low growing and wilder

John Sinclair (17 September 1849 – 14 February 1919) and his son John G. Sinclair (1872 – 8 May 1948) both residing at various points at Kierfiold were gardeners with John Sinclair snr passing on those skills to his son. Kierfiold House was inhabited by firstly Barbara Watt, then her nephew William G.T Watt, as part of the Breckness Estate. The Sinclairs lived in a cottage close by. It is still there, however, it has been extended over the years.

the cottage across the road from Kierfiold, how a two storey building

What was fascinating for me was to see one of the apple trees the Sinclair gardeners planted against the stone wall and still bearing fruit. When planted it would have been one of several fruit trees planted against the wall with its branches trained along it. This was, and still is, an excellent way to have fruit trees without taking up too much space.

the apple tree trained along the wall with seated area in front

close up of the apple tree trained along the stone wall

As part of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, the money raised at Kierfiold was going to the Orkney Foodbank. Today, 27 July, The Quoy at Houton, Orphir is open from 2 to 5pm. The money raised from that garden is going to The Peedie Retreat.

Kierfiold continues to evolve which the Sinclair gardeners would definitely approve of. A new feature is the pond and it will be very interesting to see this in a few years once it has become fully established.

the large flower border with the grass pathway

filled with a multitude of flowering shrubs and plants in the wide border

The borders at Kierfiold must be about 2 meters deep and they are filled with plants. Grass pathways lead you round the perimeter with gaps through to the gardens within the garden. Each one of those is different and with plenty of places to sit down and take in the beauty of the place. Owned by Fiona and Euan Smith Kierfiold continues to give pleasure to all who visit, just as it did 150 years ago.