INTRODUCTION Created in 1931 District Nurses

INTRODUCTION • Created in 1931 • District Nurses • The National Gardens Scheme 1927

Dawyck, Peeblesshire Aytounhill, Fife

Dalswinton House, Dumfriesshire

Yetholm, Roxburghshire

INSTANT SUCCESS • 1932 – the first full year • 500 gardens opened • District Nurses’ annual pension of £ 20. 00 doubled • Nurses training support

Danevale, Kirkcudbrightshire Ascog Hall, Fife

Portrack House, Dumfriesshire

WAR YEARS • Gardens continued to open although vegetables took over much of the flower beds • Special petrol allowance given to garden owners and bus operators • Teas continued to be served patriotically (without sugar!) • Gardens dropped to about 300

POST WAR • Creation of the NHS • 1952 The Gardens Fund of The National Trust for Scotland

Glassmount, Fife

Kildrummy Castle Gardens, Aberdeen

Nonavaar, Shetland © Andrea Jones

THE 1960 s • 40% of the funds raised at each garden opening • 60% of the funds (net): – Perennial – The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society – The Royal Fund for Gardeners’ Children

2007 Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres

The Tower, Fife

Drummond Castle, Perth & Kinross

TODAY • Circa 600 garden openings • 60% gross of the funds raised to nominated charity – 225+ charities supported each year • 40% net of the funds raised: – Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres – The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland – The Gardens Fund of the NTS – Perennial

LAST 5 YEARS • £ 1 Million to charity – In 2016 a record £ 266, 057 to charity • Nearly 600 charities supported • 1, 000 gardens open – 95 villages & groups

Gallery, Angus Cedar Cottage, Craigrothie

Shepherd House, East Lothian

HOW THE CHARITY IS RUN • Trustees • Office team – National Organiser – Office Manager – Marketing Officer • Volunteer committees

HOW THE CHARITY IS RUN 24 DISTRICTS: • District Organiser • Area Organisers • Treasurer • Local teams responsible for: – Liaising with garden owners – Finding new gardens – Ensuring the success of each garden opening – Organising local marketing

Blair Castle Hercules Garden, Perthshire Willowhill, Fife

Cruickshank Botanic Gardens, Aberdeenshire

TYPES OF GARDENS • Originally • Today – Country house and castle gardens – Town gardens – Rural gardens – Village gardens – Allotments & community gardens – Small gardens are encouraged to open together • Inclusive

SGS PLANT SALES • Substantial sum raised • Collection of plants • Donations • Locally produced • Good value • Also many openings sell plants

House of Tongue, Caithness & Sutherland

Amat, Caithness and Sutherland

GARDEN SELECTION • Willingness to open • “Loved” gardens – Satisfactory standard • Horticultural interest • 45 minutes of interest – alone or grouped with other gardens.

KINDS OF OPENINGS • Single day(s) or weekend – Usually 2 -5 pm, extending to noon-6 pm • Extended period – range of dates • By arrangement • Private openings

Blackmill, Glasgow and District

2 Durnamuck, Ross & Cromarty

A TYPICAL OPENING • Entrance fee • Freedom • Owners at hand • Teas – supported by the nominated charity • Plant stall • Other stalls • Children's activities / games • Entertainment

MARKETING AN OPENING • • • Guidebook Website www. scotlandsgardens. org Social Media – Facebook/Twitter Posters Road signs Press releases – Sometimes advertising • Features • Radio/TV • Flyers

Corsock House, Kirckcudbrightshire

Willowhill, Fife

The Walled Garden Tyninghame, East Lothian

INSURANCE • Public Liability – All private domestic owners who open their gardens for Scotland’s Gardens Scheme who are not otherwise covered • Product Liability – For the teas • Employer’s Liability – Covering volunteers helping with the preparation and running of the day(s)

PROJECTS - Planning • Strategic Plan – Initiated from 2016 conference • Vision Statement & Core Objectives – – Volunteers & Garden Openers Marketing & Promotion Partnerships Governance • It must support our local community • It must be fun.

Redcroft, Edinburgh and West Lothian

The Steading, Perth & Kinross

Parkhead House, Perth

PROJECTS - Priorities • Updated Annually • Trustees & governance (17/18) • Look at charity support/distribution (17/18) • Infrastructure – database (17) • Support to Volunteers & Garden Openers (18)

PROJECTS - Outreach • Year of Young People – 2018 - Visit. Scotland – Children’s activities • Storytelling in Gardens – In May. Again in October • Horticulture training – Horticulture Therapy – RHS College competitive in 2017 • Fruit & Veg Theme in 2019?

Kincardine Estate, Kincardine & Deeside

Balker Farmhouse, Wigtownshire

PROJECTS - Partnerships • With Nominated Charities • Champion Trees • National Plant Collections • Historic Designed Landscapes • Accessible by Public Transport • Working with local amateur photographers

CAN YOU HELP? • Open your garden • Visit a garden (or two or three…) • Help on an Open Day • Join a local committee – Love gardens? – Social media skills – Marketing skills

Glenlivet, Kirkcudbrightshire

Old Allangrange, Ross & Cromarty

THE GUIDEBOOK • Published annually • Information on: – All the gardens – Our charity – The beneficiaries • • Cost: £ 5. 00 inc UK p&p Availability www. scotlandsgardens. org Direct from Scotland’s Gardens Scheme

CONTACT DETAILS Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Address: 23 Castle Street Edinburgh EH 2 3 DN Tel: 0131 226 3714 E-mail: info@scotlandsgardens. org Charity No: SC 011337

Lennel Bank, Berwickshire

Wellbutts, Lanarkshire

Gean House, Stirlingshire