English: Geilston House is a National Trust for Scotland property, the garden at Geilston, on the banks of the Clyde near Helensburgh, is open to the public.
Geilston is a small country house like many found along the banks of the River Clyde, the history of the estate reflecting the history of Glasgow and its growing fortunes throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The main section of the substantial stone house is thought to date from 1766. The estate was purchased in the mid 18th century by a Glasgow merchant James Donald The Donalds made their money importing tobacco from Virginia and exporting manufactured goods in return in 1805 the Geilston estate was sold to the Geils. The house itself is not open to the public, but the gardens and grounds are. The main house, the stables and a charming doocot are all built in stone The gardens extend to the north and west down and over the Geilston Burn which flows through the property.
The Gardens: Immediately behind the house is the Walled Garden, the five metre (fifteen foot) stone walls lined with espaliered apple trees and a variety of climbers. The old potting shed is inscribed 1797. Roses and azaleas and taller Rhododendron and Acers underplanted with a variety of herbaceous shrubs all enjoy the sheltered, sunny aspect the tall walls provide. A delightful heather garden is also located here. The central feature of the walled garden is a glorious Sequoiadendron giganteum, at least 90 feet (30m) tall, dominating the centre lawn. It is estimated to be 250 years old. There is also a row of glass houses used to bring on herbaceous plants ready for later planting. Beyond the walled garden a grass path travels down along a protected glen following the Geilston Burn as it runs through the property. The path is flanked with a mixture of ornamental trees and shrubs merging into a more native woodland garden underplanted with drifts of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells.