Fettercairn: The Angels’ Share

The garden

As whisky ages, some liquid is lost to evaporation and this is known as the Angels’ Share. The garden takes its inspiration from this journey of liquid from the copper stills to the wooden casks, and the full whisky ageing process.

Grassland moves to woodland across the balcony, around a flexible space designed for sharing, mimicking elements from Fettercairn Distillery’s home in the foot of the Cairngorms – often referred to as ‘The Garden of Scotland’. A stunning ‘vertical stream’ cascades over copper and onto repurposed wood from a whisky cask, resting in a shallow pool beside the main seating area before being recirculated to restart its journey. Copper pipe wings wrap the garden, sustaining the planting via misters that use minimal water.

At the heart of the garden is adaptable, modular furniture for solo contemplation or companionable gatherings – a place to immerse the senses and relax. Combining Scottish vernacular references and planting that’s attractive to endangered, native pollinators, the garden embraces a balance between people, craft and nature.

Key plants

The planting scheme moves from grassland to woodland to reflect the sponsor’s process of planting 13,000 oak trees on the distillery estate. The colour scheme is inspired by the Angel’s Share tartan and has been refined to support pollinators and the birds they in turn attract.

• Betula pendula (silver birch): a key structural plant that supports biodiversity and the idea of sharing by providing a habitat for the rare and unique Kentish glory moth – a moth species that is now only found in two places in the highlands of Scotland, one of which is the Cairngorms
• Betula nana (dwarf birch): a nationally scarce UK native. It serves as a food source for both the larvae and adults of a rare moth, Swammerdamia passerella, and for the leaf mining pygmy moth Stigmella betulicola
• Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag): a marginal plant commonly found in Scotland. It is an excellent source of pollen and nectar for larger bees and hoverflies. The leaves also provide nourishment for the larvae of the Crescent moth (Helotropha leucostigma) and Crinan Ear moth (Amphipoea crinanensis), while dragonfly larvae shelter in the submerged leaves and use the stems to emerge from the water
• Trollius europaeus (globeflower): widespread across Scotland and primarily pollinated by the Chiastocheta fly, a highly specialised insect that is the only reliable pollinator of this species
• Geums: hardy perennials often used in Scottish gardens. They align strongly with the overall colour palette. They are highly beneficial for pollinators such as bees and butterflies

Plants supplier: To be confirmed.

Sustainability notes

The planters and furniture are made from reclaimed, responsibly sourced wood and the cushions are made from recycled materials. Recyclable cork oak flooring provides a light, hardwearing surface that also guards against slips and trips. Recyclable copper pipes and features, reclaimed where possible, give the garden a clear use beyond its own life.

The designer – May Starey

May grew up in South London, and when she wasn’t running wild on her parents’ allotment she was creating and painting. After training at Reigate School of Art and Design, May completed a degree in Fine Art at Kingston University, majoring in sculpture.  She then worked as a successful DJ, before leaning into her skills as a visual and narrative artist to move into a career as an award-winning magazine picture editor and video producer. After formally re-training as a garden designer at Capel Manor College from 2019 to 2022, she now combines lecturing in Garden Design at the college with her own design practice.

About the sponsor – Fettercairn Whisky

Fettercairn is a Highland single malt whisky crafted in the foothills of the Cairngorms, which is often referred to as ‘The Garden of Scotland’. Fettercairn is a place where crystal clear mountain water flows through forest and field – a land made for whisky making, where innovation has been gently nurtured for two centuries.

This garden brings to life the Scottish rural landscape that surrounds the distillery and includes nods to our ingenious copper cooling ring, which drenches our stills, so that only the finest vapours rise – creating our distinctive tropical house style.

Garden legacy

The Angels’ Share garden is planned to be relocated in its entirety for permanent display at the Fettercairn Distillery, a location where it can continue to be enjoyed by the public touring the distillery.