THE restoration of the unique Japanese Garden at Cowden is progressing, with the hope that it will reopen to the public late next year.

Located on the far eastern border, a mile from Dollar Academy, it was established in the early 1900s by Ella Christie of Cowden Castle, before being handed over to her great nephew Robert Stewart.

An act of vandalism in 1963 – which saw the tea houses and bridges burned, and lanterns and shrines knocked into the water – ripped the garden apart.

However, when it was taken on by Robert’s daughter Sara Stewart in 2008, she decided to embark on a project to bring it back to its best and work is well under way.

Ms Stewart said: “The first Azumaya, plus one of the welcome gates have been completed.

“The Japanese team will return in May to oversee the replanting, and the paths should be completed by August.

“We are actively looking for a parttime gardener/groundsman to look after the seven-acre site. We are also looking for volunteers with a passion for gardening to work alongside the gardener.”

The garden was once described as the “most important Japanese Garden in the Western world” by Prof Jijo Suzuki, 18th hereditary head of the Soami School of Imperial Garden Design, Japan, 1925.

It was created by Taki Handa, the first and only Japanese woman to be accredited with designing a garden of this nature.

Before Ella’s death in 1949, it had notable visits from HM Queen Mary, historian Andrew Lang, George Blake and novelist Annie S Swan.

In 2014, a charity was formed to raise the necessary capital to allow restoration of the paths, islands, tea houses, bridges, ‘slopes of Fuji’, to fund apprenticeships and establish a maintenance fund.

The full cost of the project – which includes plans to build a museum – stood at £1 million and help is needed to make the dream come true.

Currently, about £800,000 is necessary to help facilitate the pavilion, bridges and road access and donations can be made via justgiving.com/cowden-castle

It will be a prominent feature in Clackmannanshire once finished, with plans for it to be open to the public for at least 20 days of the year, depending on funding.

Ms Stewart said: “The Japanese garden was established in 1910 by Ella Christie of Cowden Castle and it is the only Japanese garden in the world accredited to a female Japanese garden designer.

“As a result the garden is of national and historic importance.

"The high standards are being maintained throughout the restoration, led by Prof Fukuhara, the Japanese garden designer renowned for winning the Chelsea Flower Show and for his sensitive restoration of the Japanese Garden at Kew in London.”

To help raise money for the project, a garden party to celebrate the first public viewing will be held on Saturday, September 3, at a cost of £25 per head, including wine and canapes.

To purchase tickets visit JustGiving or send a cheque with a note stating number of tickets, plus contact details to: Cowden Castle SCIO, c/o Mains of Arndean, Dollar, Clackmannanshire, FK14 7NT. Email sara@cowdencastle.com for details on volunteering/working in the garden.

History of the garden:

  • In 1906, Ella Christie went on a tour of China, Hong Kong, Russia and Japan.
  • When she returned to Cowden Castle in 1908, she was inspired to create her own Japanese Garden.
  • She employed Taki Handa to create it, who became the first and only Japanese woman to be accredited for the design of a Japanese Garden.
  • Upon her death in 1949, it was handed over to her great nephew Robert Stewart.
  • Tragedy struck in 1963 when the tea houses and bridges were burned, while the lanterns and shrines were knocked into the water, in an act of vandalism.
  • When Robert’s daughter Sara Stewart took over in 2008, she decided to begin a project to restore it.
  • In 2013, Prof Fukuhara offered to plan and direct the restoration at a reduced rate.
  • The following year, the garden became a charity to raise the necessary capital.