Gardens in Borders join forces

Already, 14 organisations in the area including gardens, nurseries and historic estates, have joined Discover Scottish Gardens, a national tourism group that launched in May with the aim to achieve a 10% uplift in visits to Scotland’s gardens by 2020.

New members of the tourism body range from Dawyck Botanic Garden and Monteviot House to Portmore Gardens.

Discover Scottish Gardens has created a website where visitors can search gardens, nurseries and related businesses across Scotland, and plan their next visit.

Chrissie Reid at Portmore Gardens said: “From what we are seeing here at Portmore, garden visiting continues to be a popular getaway option that also now attracts a younger crowd. Through the Discover Scottish Gardens network, we will be able to reach these people and also attract more visitors from oversees, and I sincerely hope we will entice more people into the joys and satisfaction of gardening.”

As well as the website, Discover Scottish Gardens will oversee a marketing campaign to promote Scotland’s gardens within seasonal themes.

Already, the group has attracted 130 members, including gardens, plant nurseries, accommodation providers and tour operators, with more expected to come on board.

The Discover Scottish Garden members in the Borders are Abbotsford, Anton’s Hill, Bughtrig, Carolside Gardens, Dawyck Botanic Garden, Floors Castle, Harmony Garden, Kailzie Gardens, Monteviot House, Paxton House, Philiphaugh Garden, Portmore Gardens, Priorwood Garden and West Leas.