We visited the fantastic Geilston Gardens (pronounced Jeelston) at Cardross in June and having been hugely impressed by the colour and variety of these gardens which are run by the National Trust for Scotland and with the help of a few professionals are tended by a group of volunteers.
During our last visit (see our blog of 20th June 2019) we admired the planting of the vegetable garden.  Everything in neat rows but all fruits and vegetables at an early stage.  We were looking forward to see how they'd grown in three months.
We were also intrigued by the wild flower meadow strips which although planted had at that time in June showed no sign of life.

​The plants all looked great - particularly given the long hot dry spell we had just had.
​After inspecting all the varieties of vegetable we went on to look at the vast array of netted fruit bushes.  Everything from raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, Logan berries and many more.
It was tempting to try to sneak a taste of some of these beautiful looking berries - but no need - Geilston sells punnets of fruit and vegetables when they come into season at the entrance gates to the gardens.
After having explored just about everything, we made our way down the path through a cavalcade of coloured borders to the apple orchard

From Appletree Cottage (Luxury Self Catering for eight people in Croftamie, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park) to Helensburgh is an easy drive of about 30 minutes travelling via Balloch, Arden and Glen Fruin.  (A811, A82 then A818)

As you enter Helensburgh town on the A818 and you see the river Clyde at the bottom of the hill, look out for brown signs to Hill House which is off to the right.
Having parked (parking is easy either in the street outside Hill House or the car park just above) we walked through the gates into reception desk.  ​

Charles and Margaret Mackintosh worked as a close team and it is often difficult if not impossible to attribute interior artefacts to either one or the other.  Margaret's name is often forgotten - largely due to the protocol existing around the early and indeed later twentieth century.  Her contribution to the finished projects is however considerable.

​As the building deteriorated further something had to be done.  The decision was taken to encase the entire structure within a steel cage to protect it from the elements so that major repair work could be undertaken without fear of the sometimes severe west of Scotland weather causing damage to the fabric of the building.  The cost of the steel box and the new shop and cafe was £4.5 million.  It was estimated that the box would need to be in place for 10-12 years. 

​Almost all the furnishings and décor in the house are entirely original. Many have been restored and some are awaiting restoration.
Of particular interest to us were the lamp shades in the downstairs hallway.  These are made of coloured glass have discs (also of coloured glass) which when powered by the air rising from the  heat of the lightbulb revolve.  The revolving discs cast magical moving reflections of light upon the surfaces of the hall.  
​Hugely inventive.
Not sure if they work with modern low heat bulbs.

Second on the right is the spacious living room, with furniture, decoration, windows and window seat by Mackintosh and his wife.
As far as we could see the only thing not designed by the pair was the baby grand piano.
From the drawing room a door leads to the handsome wood panelled dining room.
Everything down to the last detail was designed by the pair and Mackintosh even prescribed what colours of cut flowers should adorn the dining room table!
From the dining room a passage leads through to the servants quarters, kitchen, wash house, scullery etc. where there is another souvenir shop.
Although these servants working areas would have been out of view from any visitors, even things like the storage cupboards in the pantry and in the former kitchen  boast the Mackintosh’s distinctive design.

​The top floor of the building (which we didn't visit as it is out of bounds to visitors) was leased to the Landmark Trust in 1978.  This body ran it as a holiday let until the National Trust for Scotland took it over in 2011.  We understand it can still be booked for holiday rental and can accommodate six persons. Although obviously not as comfortable and luxurious as Appletree Cottage Croftamie, in the famous Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.! (www.lomondappletree.co.uk)

Outside the steel box we explored the gardens and greenhouse which are well worth a look, with their commanding views to the south across the river Clyde.
We also inspected the chainmail surround close up. ​Outside the gardens and the greenhouse are worth a look – as are the great open views across the Clyde.
​Some of the grounds to the north were undergoing renovation but the rest were in prime condition