Hidden Gem: Little Sparta, Scotland

In the Pentland Hills, just outside Edinburgh, lies Little Sparta, landscape artist Ian Hamilton Finlay’s garden.

The garden is Finlay’s biggest project and incorporates poetry and sculpture seamlessly, which is quietly effective and beautiful as you walk through the many acres of land.

The works of art meld in magically to the surrounding landscape, which is left untamed so as to allow nature to take its course.

Finlay’s concept is profoundly sincere as he points out the uncomfortably challenging nature of the Good, and mankind’s duty in a civilised world.

Equally, he is concerned with the definition of beauty and acknowledgement of tradition in the best art of any time, while his humour and fondness of the Cosy and Small inspire his works with tenderness.

This is a beautiful and often-overlooked area of Britain. The countryside surrounding the garden is incredibly picturesque and the large garden is wonderful to get lost in while you let curiosity take you down unexplored paths as you follow a poem engraved into stones.