National Trust For Scotland’s (NTS) Newhailes Centenary Garden has received a half-million pound anonymous donation for an “ambitious” new garden project.
Newhailes House & Gardens, Musselburgh, East Lothian, is set to mark its 100th year in 2031.
In celebration of this landmark, the NTS plans to plant a new garden as a living legacy of the celebrations.
This “ambitious” project requires substantial fundraising to support its overall cost of £4.77m.
The conservation charity has set a target to raise another £1.6m from donations.
The initial concept for the Centenary Garden is to enhance the historic designed landscape and visitor experience by providing improved facilities for staff and volunteers, a new community engagement space for local people, and a beautiful new garden for visitors.
Ali MacLeod, Head of Fundraising at the National Trust for Scotland, said: “We are thrilled by the generosity of this donor, whose leadership has kicked off our fundraising campaign in the most remarkable way.
“Over the last few years, Newhailes has grown into a place at the heart of the local community, but it does not have facilities to host local groups or schools adequately.
“The Centenary Garden project is going to fill this need, as well as create a beautiful and dynamic garden that champions biodiversity, and our donor recognised the value it will bring to people in Musselburgh, the surrounding area, and many more visitors from farther afield.”
Newhailes House & Gardens is a 17th-century estate outside of Edinburgh. Its 34-acre estate welcomes visitors to its woodlands and parklands.
It is also home to the last surviving early-century planned landscapes in Scotland, within which will be the site of the Centenary Garden.
Stuart Maxwell, Regional Director for Edinburgh & East at the National Trust for Scotland, hopes the site will also have a positive impact on the local environment: “Designed with biodiversity at its heart, the Centenary Garden will restore habitats, showcase sustainable gardening, and provide a sanctuary for pollinators and wildlife.
“But it will also be a place for people, and we aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone coming to Newhailes.
“As Scotland’s largest garden owner, the Trust cares for a wealth of horticultural landmarks representing almost every style of Scottish garden throughout history, and we are well placed to continue this legacy at Newhailes.”
Iona Craig has an NCTJ from Glasgow Clyde, PhD in English Research from University of Strathclyde and a Masters Distinction in History from the University of Stirling. Currently working as a Journalist intern at Deadline News.
