Prancing through the peonies

Wednesday 20 June, 2018

On Saturday 16th June, visitors to Binny Plants, Edinburgh were in for a treat. Nurseryman and ‘peony-mad’ Billy Carruthers led a walk and talk around his site to raise money for Scotland’s Gardens Scheme.

National Insect Week: bugs and beasties

Monday 18 June, 2018

National Insect Week, organised by e Royal Entomological Society, runs from 18 - 24 June. It encourages people of all ages to learn more about insects.

Summer Solstice

Monday 18 June, 2018

When is the summer solstice and what does it mean for your garden?

Peonies and Prosecco at Binny Plants

Tuesday 12 June, 2018

Binny Plants is a leading nursery, just outside Edinburgh, and is a specialist on peonies with over 300 on site. Nurseryman Billy Carruthers will lead a walk and talk on Saturday 16th June around the nursery to raise money for Scotland’s Gardens Scheme.

Treat your dad this Father's Day

Friday 8 June, 2018

Whether you're looking for a place to take your old man or trying to give the kids a hint, here's the definitive list of gardens to visit. All these gardens are running children's activities: for the little kids and for the bigger kids! *cough cough*

Mr Lowry at home

Thursday 7 June, 2018

It's early June and our chairman's dog, Mr Lowry looks ahead to his next garden visit to Dean Gardens, Edinburgh

Mr Lowry visits Tyninghame House and The Walled Gardens

Tuesday 5 June, 2018

Mr Lowrys, our Chairman's whippet, explores the grounds and walled gardens at Tyninghame House, and finds the storyteller in the garden!

West Leas garden in June

Friday 1 June, 2018

Summertime madness, the garden at West Leas is in full display in this months photos, with the luxious greens of the grass and the sweet scent of blossom.

A big thank you to all our volunteers

Friday 1 June, 2018

Volunteers week runs from 1st - 7th June, and is a wonderful opportunity to take a minute to look back at all the wonderful things that have been by our volunteers in the past 80 odd years.

New gardens opening in June

Monday 28 May, 2018

Scotland's Gardens Scheme welcomes this wonderful collection of new gardens, which first open in June. This is a unique opportunity to see gardens for their first time open to the public.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet

Monday 21 May, 2018

Looking forward to Summer around the corner, and the sweet smell as roses burst forth on arbours and in flower beds. What's your favourite?

Nettle and Wild Garlic Soups - let's be nice to nettles

Wednesday 16 May, 2018

Be nice to nettles week runs from 16th - 20th May, we're delighted to share this recipe from our trustee Trish to encourage you to let the odd nettle through in the garden!

Garden visiting in Scotland

Saturday 5 May, 2018

The notion of garden visiting has been around a good while, even from the point of view of the open garden scheme.

Six bee-neficial things you can do for bees in your garden!

Tuesday 1 May, 2018

The 20th May is World Bee Day, so we've made a little list of six easy things you can do to make your garden more bee friendly!

The bluebell wood

Friday 20 April, 2018

Gardening doesn’t have to been large formal gardens, lots of green space and countryside views. Scotland’s Gardens Scheme is delighted to have so many wonderfully diverse urban gardens open for charity all across Scotland.

Greening our urban jungles

Monday 16 April, 2018

Gardening doesn’t have to been large formal gardens, lots of green space and countryside views. Scotland’s Gardens Scheme is delighted to have so many wonderfully diverse urban gardens open for charity all across Scotland.

Muddy hands and happy children

Wednesday 11 April, 2018

Scotland's Gardens Scheme is thrilled to be celebrating VisitScotland's Year of Young People. Many of our garden openings will be hosting children's activities and we are also partnering with the Scottish Storytelling Centre for 'Growing Stories''.

Where to go this May bank holiday weekend?

Wednesday 11 April, 2018

A glorious bank holiday, and there are so many gardens to explore. Here's a list of what's open on the May bank holiday weekend, it's going to be a fabulous one for garden lovers!

2017 Annual Report and Accounts

Tuesday 10 April, 2018

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that 2017 was an exceptional year of charity fundraising for Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, which has seen our Garden Openers, and Volunteers raise a remarkable overall total of £309,791 for charity. See more here.

West Leas garden in April

Wednesday 4 April, 2018

Another month has flown by, and what a wild month March has been. We don't know whether we're coming or going, so it's nice to look back at pictures from the garden at West Leas, when April was actually Spring and didn't snow!

Charity Plant sales

Wednesday 4 April, 2018

Who said money can't buy happiness? It can buy plants for your garden!

Scottish Rhododendron Festival: where to see rhodies in April and May?

Sunday 1 April, 2018

The Scottish Rhododendron Festival runs from 1 April to 31 May 2018, and features a wide variety of horticulture from gardens to woodlands.

Three new trustees for Scotland's Gardens Scheme

Monday 26 March, 2018

We are looking for three innovative, enthusiastic and committed people to join our small, friendly, Trustee team as from June 2018 for a period of three years.

Six fantastic storytelling events

Wednesday 21 March, 2018

“Growing Stories”: see gardens with new eyes once you hear stories, from local Storytellers, about their creation, history and interaction with the environment.

Spring equinox 2018

Tuesday 20 March, 2018

When is the spring equinox and what does it mean for our gardens?

International Day of Forests 2018

Tuesday 20 March, 2018

What is the International Day of Forests? And how can we get involved?

Which gardens are open for the new Fife spring garden trail?

Thursday 15 March, 2018

From flooded quarries to cottage gardens, vatican style gardens to wild woodlands. There is so much in store this April in Fife!

The braw lad, Mr Lowry the Chairman's whippet, in the snow

Thursday 15 March, 2018

It's early June and our chairman's dog, Mr Lowry looks ahead to his next garden visit to Dean Gardens, Edinburgh

A host of golden daffodils

Tuesday 13 March, 2018

Our selection of daffodil covered gardens to visit this spring. A pleasant walk among the daffodils followed by a home made cup of tea, did someone say heaven?

Where to go this Mother's Day?

Monday 5 March, 2018

Whether you're looking for a nice place to take your mother or searching for a place to make your mother's day that extra special, we've got something for you. Here are some lovely gardens open for charity this Mother's Day.

Growing Stories: Storytelling for all

Thursday 1 March, 2018

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme has teamed up with The Scottish International Storytelling Festival, to share the stories of our gardens. We will be co-hosting “Growing Stories”, fantastic storytelling events at our special gardens across Scotland in 2018.

Gardens open this weekend

Thursday 1 March, 2018

A list of which gardens are open this weekend despite the snowy conditions, please also see here for cancellations

National Nest box week

Friday 16 February, 2018

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme has teamed up with The Scottish International Storytelling Festival, to share the stories of our gardens. We will be co-hosting “Growing Stories”, fantastic storytelling events at our special gardens across Scotland in 2018.

Our historic districts

Thursday 8 February, 2018

Anyone who has flicked through our guidebook will notice that our district names don't quite tally up with Scotland's many counties...like many things in life there is method to the madness!

12 gardens open for the Fife Spring Trail 2018

Tuesday 6 February, 2018

12 wonderful gardens are open for the Fife Spring Trail between April and March. For more details and tickets...

West Leas, Roxburghshire

Thursday 1 February, 2018

Follow our blog about the garden at West Leas, Bonchester Bridge, Roxburghshire. Each month we'll be taking a look at how the garden develops with some lovely pictures from Bernie Gajos.

New Years Resolutions - what to visit in 2018?

Friday 26 January, 2018

So we're a little late with our new years resolutions, but we hope you'll forgive us. Our new website went live on the 22nd and our 2018 guidebooks hit the shelves this month too, so it's been a little busy.

Queen's Nurses Development Programme award ceremony

Friday 26 January, 2018

Our National Organiser, Terrill Dobson attended the Queen's Nurses Development Programme award ceremony. The Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland were kind enough to write this little piece, looking over our special relationship.

Portrack, The Garden of Cosmic Speculation 2018 opening date

Thursday 11 January, 2018

We are delighted to be able to announce that The Garden of Cosmic Speculation will open on Sunday 6th May, 2018. Tickets will be released on Thursday 1st February, 2018. Details of how to purchase …

Scottish Snowdrop Festival 2018

Wednesday 10 January, 2018

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, Discover Scottish Gardens and VisitScotland work together to support the popular Scottish Snowdrop Festival...

Celebrating the Year of Young People 2018

Wednesday 10 January, 2018

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme is thrilled to be celebrating Visit Scotland's 'Year of Young People' in 2018. Here are just some of the gardens hosting children's activities...

Did someone say walkies?

Wednesday 10 January, 2018

200 unique gardens to visit, perfect for you and your favourite four legged friend.

A garden owner's musing on snowdrops

Tuesday 9 January, 2018

Helen Rushton, of Bruckhills Croft,

Through the Garden Gate - November

Tuesday 14 November, 2017

The Garden Gate. Well the clocks have changed and I have just returned from a walk, with four paws in tow, on a fine frosty morning taking time to enjoy the trees in their almost naked splendour ...

Autumnal delight - pumpkin bread recipe

Tuesday 7 November, 2017

This July we're showcasing a the perfect recipe for your Summer berries: Blackcurrant jellies

The 2018 opening of The Garden of Cosmic Speculation

Tuesday 10 October, 2017

We are delighted to be able to announce that The Garden of Cosmic Speculation will open on Sunday 6th May, 2018. Tickets will be released on Thursday 1st February, 2018. Details of how to purchase …

A message from our Sponsor

Friday 29 September, 2017

Delivering an out of the ordinary investment management service Investec Wealth & Investment (IW&I) is delighted to be fully supporting Scotland’s Gardens Scheme.

The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay visit Netherthird Community Garden

Friday 8 September, 2017

The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay helped residents and school children from an ex-mining town in Ayrshire celebrate the grass roots success of their popular, local community garden, during a very

East Lothian Garden Trail 2017

Monday 24 July, 2017

Running over the last week of June (28 June - 2 July), the East Lothian Garden Trail provides an opportunity to see twelve magnificent spacious gardens and well tended allotments in close …

Dinner party delicacies - Blackcurrant jellies

Saturday 15 July, 2017

This July we're showcasing a the perfect recipe for your Summer berries: Blackcurrant jellies

Through the Garden Gate in July

Sunday 2 July, 2017

Good Evening all, I trust this newsletter finds both you and your gardens in good health having survived the unseasonal ravages of desert heat in late May through into June; something, which was

Update from Mr Lowry

Wednesday 28 June, 2017

Well readers what a blistering hot spell that has been, I don’t know about you but I am glad it is over. I was knackered just hiding in the shade, lying on the cold paving, I even got a nice …

Queen's Nurses Promoting Health & Wellbeing in Scottish Communities

Tuesday 27 June, 2017

When a group of 20 outstanding community nurses met back in Fife in February for a week-long residential organised by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS), few of them would have

Mr Lowry's visit to Clayfolds, Kincardineshire, 25 June 2017

Tuesday 27 June, 2017

I love this time of year around mid summer; long days, nice early mornings - up with the lark shaking ‘The Team’ out of bed, for my early morning walk! Hee, hee, that keeps them on …

Meet the garden owner

Saturday 24 June, 2017

The Colinton gardens, Edinburgh threw open their garden gates on the 2nd July. These three gardens raised a fantastic sum, £2902, thanks to about 400 visitors! We caught up with Michael and …

Fife Garden Trail 2017

Saturday 24 June, 2017

Running over late June and early July, the Fife Garden Trail provides an opportunity to see nine privately owned gardens five of which have never or rarely admitted visitors before. It also …

Record Amount Raised for Charity in 2016

Monday 22 May, 2017

There seems to be a pattern emerging in Scotland of springs being cold and wet. After the disappointing start to our season in 2015 we fared little better in 2016. Our snowdrop openings were

Orkney Garden Festival 2017

Wednesday 17 May, 2017

The Gardeners of Orkney have will be holding a Garden Festival Trail over the weekends of 17/18 June and 24/25 June. Thirty-four gardens will throw open their doors across Orkney, Kirkwall and …

60% to Nominated Charities starting 2018

Tuesday 16 May, 2017

During this past year's review of our charity, a very clear message came from our community of Garden Openers and Volunteers of their strong commitment to their own nominated charities. Some 225

Our Vision and Purpose Renewed

Tuesday 16 May, 2017

2016 was an amazing year of reflection and vision and has set the foundation for some very positive change and growth at Scotland’s Gardens (Scheme). At the 2016 Conference, we invited ...

What's in a Name?

Monday 15 May, 2017

Well apparently quite a lot is in our original name - Scotland's Gardens Scheme. Despite our name change to Scotland's Gardens several years ago, we are still know as "the Scheme".

Welcome to our new Chairman, David Mitchell

Wednesday 10 May, 2017

Good morning all and welcome to this new regular column in your newsletter from the Chairman. Having worked with Scotland’s Garden Scheme for over ten years now I am both delighted and …

Mr Lowry's visit to Portrack, Garden of Cosmic Speculation, 30th April 2017

Tuesday 9 May, 2017

Ka-boom, Zoom and Wham we arrived! Not on the other side of the universe as I first thought was going to happen but having travelled through the hills via Elvanfoot and Durisdeer we were in an …

Rhododendron Festival 2017

Friday 5 May, 2017

The Scottish Rhododendron Festival 2017 is organised by Discover Scottish Gardens where you will find details of the event. The Festival is supported by VisitScotland and full …

Mr Lowry's visit to Megginch Castle, Perthshire, Easter Day

Wednesday 19 April, 2017

Easter Sunday hopefully a day of rest and recuperation for me after all yesterdays hard work in the garden helping the ‘Team’ with the weeding, pruning, planting and mulching. You know …

‘Winton Castle’ Invites Visitors to its Family Open Day

Thursday 30 March, 2017

Winton Castle, formerly Winton House, is opening its gardens and doors for its Family Open Day on Sunday 9th April (12-4.30 pm), when it will be raising funds for Marie Curie and Scotland’s …

Snowdrop Festival 2017

Thursday 16 March, 2017

The Scottish Snowdrop Festival 2017 is organised by Discover Scottish Gardens where you will find details of the event. The Festival is supported by VisitScotland and full listings can be …

Mr Lowry's visit to Lawton House, Angus, 12th March

Tuesday 14 March, 2017

Lawton House, Angus & Dundee. East of Scotland. Snowdrop Festival. Sunday 12th March 2017. Aah! Sunday morning, long lie in, big stretch, oooohhh, oohhmmnnnnn. Hang on, ‘The

Mr Lowry's visit to Kailzie Gardens, Peebles, 26th February

Tuesday 28 February, 2017

Into the car again! I love it, but wonder where we are going this time? They, my owners David and Kate never really tell me you know, yes they chatter and try to include me, but sadly I don’t …

Portrack House 2017 Opening Date

Monday 23 January, 2017

We are delighted to announce that Portrack House will be open for Scotland’s Gardens on Sunday 30 April 2017 from 11am-5pm. This is …

Video of Little Broich, Kippen, Stirlingshire

Tuesday 27 September, 2016

Little Broich, Kippen, Stirlingshire: open Sunday 2 October, 2pm - 5pm. Little Broich from Peter Keith on Vimeo.

Huntly Cot Video

Monday 26 September, 2016

A short video of the open day at Huntly Cot gardens in 2016.

Annual Accounts 2015

Wednesday 20 July, 2016

A copy of Scotland's Gardens full accounts to 31 December 2015 is available to download here.

SG Gardens Honoured with RCHS Awards

Thursday 30 June, 2016

We are delighted to congratulate two individuals who have been received awards from the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (RCHS) this week. Lady Catherine Erskine, of Cambo House, is a Scotland' …

Family Activities for 2016

Thursday 30 June, 2016

Get the whole family outdoors during the school holidays!Our gardens for 2016 include a wonderful range of walks, wildlife and homemade teas, but here are a selection which have child- …

Traprain Garden Circle

Wednesday 22 June, 2016

Three distinctly different gardens, two of which have never previously opened, in rural East Lothian. Follow the unfolding of late spring and early summer in each garden on three afternoons over …

Obituary: Sir Robin Bt (Edinburgh) St Clair-Ford

Monday 23 May, 2016

We have been informed that Robin St. Clair-Ford died last week; his funeral will take place on Friday 3 June. Robin was a former Director of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme; he was employed from 1983 …

Portrack House Announces 2016 Dates

Monday 9 May, 2016

PORTRACK HOUSE (THE GARDEN OF COSMIC SPECULATION) We are delighted to announce that Portrack House will be open for Scotland’s Gardens on Sunday 1 May 2016 from 12pm-5pm.

Peeblesshire Garden Trio

Tuesday 5 April, 2016

This superb trio of gardens will give you a taste of the wide variety of garden styles in the Peeblesshire area. See them develop from May to August with a season ticket, or spend a fabulous …

Snowdrop Festival 2016

Wednesday 23 March, 2016

In association with VisitScotland and Cambo Estate, the 2016 Scottish Snowdrop Festival will run from 30 January to 13 March. With over 60 venues taking part, many of which are free …

National Organiser Appointed

Friday 29 January, 2016

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Terrill Dobson as our New National Organiser. Her part-time role will involve acting as liaison between Scotland's Gardens network of volunteers, …

Glasgow's Summer Celebration

Tuesday 13 October, 2015

David Mitchell our Deputy Chairman in full flow as he gave a speech at Glasgow & District's Summer Celebration in August. It was a beautiful sun filled day and all who came enjoyed the wonderful …

National Organiser Vacancy

Tuesday 8 September, 2015

THE CLOSING DATE HAS PASSED FOR THIS POSITION. Scotland's Gardens Trustees wish to appoint a National Organiser to oversee the Head Office and to facilitate the relationship between Head Office

Orkney Trail featured on The Beechgrove Garden

Tuesday 18 August, 2015

Two beautiful gardens from the Orkney Garden Trail have been featured on the Beechgrove Garden this August. The programs are scheduled for Thursday the 6 & 13 August and you can also catch them …

Angus & Fife Garden Trail 2015

Thursday 13 August, 2015

Scotland’s Gardens is introducing an exciting new venture into their 2015 programme – The Angus and Fife Garden Trail. Following the fantastic success of the Fife Garden Trail in 2015 …

Office Move

Friday 24 April, 2015

We have moved offices. But not too far. Along the same street, in fact. Our new address is 23 Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3DN. All other contact details remain the same.

Conference News 2015

Friday 24 April, 2015

Scotland's Gardens annual conference was held on 13 April 2015 at the EICC. Mark Hedderwick, Chairman, spoke about some recent developments: This time last year I referred to 2013 as something of a …

SKY TV'S "SHOW ME YOUR GARDEN"

Tuesday 17 February, 2015

Congratulations to Margaret Gimblett for winning the Scottish section of Sky Television's "Show me Your Garden"! Margaret's glorious garden is at Croftcat Lodge, Grandtully, Perthshire and is …