A Scottish photographer has captured "beautiful" photos of a Japanese Garden located in the grounds of Cowden Castle.
Cindy Blades was visiting the attraction near Cowden to celebrate her birthday when she took the "stunning" photos. Various points of interest can be seen in the pictures, including the 'yatsuhashi' zigzag bridge, the 'sorihashi' arched bridge, and the azumaya roofed structure.
The garden dates back to 1908, after Scottish traveller Ella Christie was inspired by a trip to Asia to build a Japanese garden. She commissioned designer Taki Handa to create the seven-acre site in Clackmannanshire.
Described by Professor Jijo Suzuki in 1925 as "the most important Japanese garden in the Western World", the unique attraction offers an authentic bridge between Scottish and Japanese culture.
As well as its distinctive structures, the garden is also home to rare plants and trees.
Named Sha Raku En, or "a place of pleasure and delight", by Christie, the gardens eventually fell into decline and were closed in 1955. A few years later, a group of local boys vandalised the garden and it fell into further disrepair.
Fortunately, it has since undergone years of renovation to bring it back to its former glory. Although the restoration work is ongoing, the garden has reopened to the public so that its beauty can be enjoyed just as it was over 50 years ago.
Taking to Facebook to share her photos, Blades wrote: "The Japanese Garden near Dollar. My birthday weekend away with hubby."
Since being posted, the photos have received over 400 likes from fellow Facebook users. With more than 40 comments, many were also keen to share their thoughts on the snaps.
One wrote: "Beautiful, I’ve never visited although I went to school in Dollar many moons ago. Next time I’m up, it’s a must."
A second shared: "Great picture, nice place to spend a day just walking about aimlessly. Really nice place for your thoughts."
"I’m desperate to visit these gardens they look amazing," a third posted, while a fourth echoed: "Looks wonderful!"
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