fruit tree for small South facing exposed Scottish garden?

[TaytoCrisp]

We are novice gardeners but keen to have a fruit tree in the front garden. Trying to decide between Apple, crab apple, cherry, plum or Rowan. Suggestions on what would be easiest and provide most interest and colour would be very welcome. Thanks!

Something with edible fruit. (bear of very little brain speaking here)
Rowan trees can grow quite tall can't they?

My parents planted a plum tree and an apple tree when they moved into their new-build. Over time they had to remove the plum as the roots were encroaching on the house, but the apple lived for decades and never grew huge.

My inlaws have a pear tree that's not massively huge in height.

Well, do you like apples, cherries or plums; and pick a root stock that is right for that space you have, and variety that you like. I love sour cherries so morello is fine for me, others prefer a stella which is sweeter.

The root stock determines the size of the eventual tree - so check up on those before you buy anything.

I have an Amelanchier in the front garden, although the birds get the berries long before I do.

Quince tree (japanese quince has a beautiful blossom). You can make lovely jams and dried quince sweets.
Apple tree (modest size).
Almond tree although it might be too big.

Forget cherry, pear or nut unless you live on the Solway Firth or are growing against a south facing wall

When you say you want a fruit tree , is it to eat the fruit or to look at it ?

Do you know that you need to have more than one, so the flowers get fertilised ? Unless your neighbours have one too, they need to be in the same group ( so they flower at the same time ) .

The problem with exposure is that the wind / rain can blow off all the flowers before they get pollinated . Are you on the coast or inland and how high are you ? If you are seriously exposed you would be better with malus or Sorbus, but you can't eat the sorbus berries, they are for the birds.

Is this tree to be the main feature of your garden and how big do you want it to grow ?

Do you want coloured foliage ? Autumn colour ? Are you planning to buy a tiny tree which may takes years to fruit productively ? Or borrow a tractor and digger and plant a big one ?

We have 2 different types of plum trees, 2 different types of apple trees, pear trees and cherry trees all growing in an exposed south facing garden in scotland and have no issues with any of them, we always get masses of fruit off all of them however they are all very well established.