THE MAKING OF A WORLD-CLASS GARDEN
Exclusive book launch showcases the extraordinary story behind Brahman Hills.
Amid the scent of roses and the gentle rhythm of fountains, guests gathered this past weekend to celebrate the launch of Brahman Hills: The Making of a World-Class Garden.
Co-authored by Brahman Hills owner Iain Buchan, Tim Steyn, and Michele Magwood, with photography by Connall Oosterbroek, the coffee table book chronicles the remarkable evolution of the international award-winning Midlands gardens, from rugged farmland to world-renowned horticultural destination.
The launch took place on Saturday, 1st November 2025, where the story began: in the gardens themselves. Guests were welcomed by Onwaba Gonyora, Director at Brahman Hills, before joining legendary landscaper Tim Steyn for a guided walk through some of the celebrated spaces featured in the book - from the Bee Kraal and Viewing Mound to the Medusa sculpture and Rose Garden. Along the way, Steyn shared design insights, anecdotes, and moments of discovery that echo throughout the book’s pages.
After the walk, the celebration moved to the Lake House for a lively discussion between Michele Magwood and Iain Buchan, who reflected on the garden’s decade-long transformation, the dedicated people behind it and the sustainability ethos that continues to guide Brahman Hills.
“The book goes beyond plants and pathways,” said Gonyora. “It's about understanding our relationship with the land and how vision and stewardship can shape a space that feels alive and enduring.”
“My late wife, Carol’s dream was to build a place that touched people’s souls,” added founder and owner, Iain Buchan. “This book honours her legacy and the team who made it real.”
The event was as heartfelt as it was beautiful. A gathering that reflected the same sense of creativity and collaboration that shaped these unique gardens. Guests sipped sparkling wine under bright summer skies, mingled with the creators, and left with signed copies of a book that’s destined to become a collector’s piece for lovers of art, design, and nature.
From its poetic writing to its cinematic photography, Brahman Hills – The Making of a World-Class Garden invites readers to look deeper - at the landscapes we build, the stories we plant, and the legacies we leave behind.
“It not only captures the passion and craftsmanship that built our gardens,” said Gonyora. “It’s an invitation to dream - and proof that when ideas take root, anything is possible.”
The book is available directly from Brahman Hills, as well as at Exclusive Books, Wordsworth Books and Bargain Books stores nationwide, or online through Exclusive Books, Takealot, Loot and Readers Warehouse.
Top Image: Michelle Magwood and Iain Buchan signing copies of the book
Below: Snapshots of event.
