For 2024, Scotland’s Gardens Scheme is welcoming new gardens, great and small and despite a tradition of stately homes and castles, it continues to see an increase in the number of smaller gardens enquiring about opening with the scheme . Smaller gardens are appealing to garden visitors, providing real-life inspiration for their own gardens. However, castles and large gardens remain very popular for an insight into gardening on a grand scale. Reflecting the growing trend across many UK gardens, the 2024 programme includes an increasing number of gardens that actively seek to incorporate environmentally-friendly practises in their gardens.
“We’re thrilled to launch another season of exciting garden open days to the public. As always, it’s such a pleasure to welcome a host of new gardens into the fold and we know our visitors take great pleasure and inspiration from these gardens, whatever their shape, style or size. Opening gardens is really a joyful way to raise money for charity and it’s such a ‘win-win’ – as well as fundraising, our gardeners and visitors are sharing good gardening practices, meeting new people and spending time together in the great outdoors – all such great ways to boost the wellbeing benefits of gardens and gardening. We hope you’ll join us in 2024.” said Liz Stewart, Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Chief Executive.
2024 highlights include:
- Over 50 new gardens will open their garden gates for the scheme
- 26 group and village openings
- 37 gardens opening as part of the Scottish Snowdrop Festival
- 11 community and education gardens
- An increasing trend towards wildlife-friendly and eco-conscious gardening
In 2023, Scotland’s Gardens Scheme gave £289,700 in total to a range of good causes. The charity is unique in that 60% of funds raised may go to a cause selected by garden owners. Last year, over £230,000 went directly to charities and good causes chosen by garden owners. In addition, £16,000 each went to Scotland’s Gardens Scheme core charity partners, Perennial, Maggie’s and the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland. A new bursary scheme launched in March 2023 provided £8,200 for grants to horticulturists in Scotland, for personal and professional training and development, administered by the Professional Gardeners’ Trust on behalf of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme. A further £3,500 was donated to the National Trust for Scotland to support the professional development of their gardeners.
All the details of the Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, the gardens and the 2024 guidebook can be found here.