WELCOME to scone palace garden fair
Many comment on how positive they feel being part of the Scottish gardening community and in my 30 years surrounded by plants, I can certainly vouch for this. The encouragement and support we, at Scone Palace, have had from this amazing gardening community, as we strive to create a national ‘gaitherin o’ the gairdners’ event, has been heartwarming.
The friendliness and openness that comes so naturally to our gardening family can be found in no better way than in the ‘Potting Shed’ Speakers’ Tent. Gardening experts from around Scotland will answer your questions and pass on their years of experience and knowledge through talks and demonstrations.
What excites me this year is, thanks to your passion for plants, more garden centres and plant nurseries from around the country have come to Scone, as well as more skilled makers and companies offering all manner of things to enhance your own gardening experience.
I am thrilled that the horticultural students of Oatridge, part of the Scottish Rural College, not only want to show you how happy they are to be embarking on a career in horticulture, but want to share the landscaping skills they have learnt, so that you can have a go in your own projects at home. You can see this, and other live demonstrations, in the newly opened Walled Garden throughout the Fair.
We are delighted, once again, to hold the Scottish Garden Design Competition where Scotland’s talented designers, students, professionals, and amateurs display their ability to combine plants, gravels, art, and furniture to create gardens that we can replicate at home.
Of course, we hope that you will also take pleasure in the designed landscape that surrounds the Palace, where evidence of over 200 years of horticultural history can be seen. From the plant hunters and Pinetum, to the Murray Star Maze, and now the work that is going on behind the scenes to bring the Georgian Walled Garden back to life, there is much in which to marvel.
Already our thoughts are on the growth of next year’s Fair and I look forward to hearing what you and the rest of our Scottish gardening family would like to see next. Please do stop and give me, or Scotland Grows' editor M.T. O'Donnell, your suggestions.
For now though, may I extend a warm welcome from Lord & Lady Mansfield and Lord Stormont, as you enjoy your day celebrating the best of the Scottish gardening community. I hope that you will soak up and enjoy every wonderful second of this year’s Scone Palace Garden Fair.
Brian Cunningham
Head Gardener, Scone Palace
Keep up with all the pictures from Scone Palace Garden Fair 2024 on Scone Palace Garden Fair Instagram or Facebook and pages.