What’s On

Jock Tamson’s Gairden and Dr Neil’s Garden are beautiful and tranquil spaces which are enjoyed by people from all walks of life. 

The trustees, volunteers and staff of both gardens are delighted to be awarded a 3 year partnership grant from the Lottery Community Fund which will enable them to maintain both gardens and develop new opportunities for volunteers. 

Individuals and groups from the local community will benefit – whether by tending flowers and plants, growing vegetables, learning new skills or simply wandering and enjoying the wildlife, nature and peace and quiet.

Kate Still, Scotland Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, says: “National Lottery funding can make amazing things happen in local communities across the country. This project delivered by Jock Tamson’s Gairden and Dr Neil’s Garden, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.  National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work and to help communities thrive.”

#National Lottery

As you may know Brigid Collins is our artist in Residence.

Below Brigid shares some pictures as she works, having been inspired by a poem by Christine De Luca, by the dog rose with its glistening hips in the Autumn sun.

We have recently appointed for the first time an Artist in Residence, Brigid Collins who for the next year will use the garden and Tower for inspiration in her art work, carry out workshops in the Tower and hold an exhibition next May.

Brigid Collins is an Artist and Educator, based in Edinburgh. She came to Scotland to study Illustration as a post-graduate at Edinburgh College of Art from her home in Ireland, having studied in Dublin and worked as an Archaeological Illustrator on Viking excavations in the city of Waterford. Brigid now practices as a Visual Artist and is passionate about weaving poems and plants together in her work.

Alongside her Visual Art practice, Brigid is a visiting lecturer in the Illustration department at Edinburgh College of Art, course leader of the School’s Outreach Programme at Leith School of Art and External Examiner for the Art & Design Foundation course at The International College in the University of Dundee. She has also devised and led workshops with diverse groups, including at Cornton Vale women’s prison, with displaced Syrian women at The University of Stirling and with delegates at The Expressive Therapies Summit at UCLA, Los Angeles.

Having collaborated with poets of international acclaim, Brigid’s publications include Frissure (Polygon, 2013), in collaboration with award winning poet and essayist, Kathleen Jamie; For A’ That: A Celebration of Burns (2010) with contemporary poets and writers, including DBC Pierre and Kirsty Gunn; A place where thought happens (2006), with poet, Larry Butler and Jewellery Designer, Teena Ramsay and Room to Rhyme.

In response to Government restrictions being eased, the Garden will be open again on the following dates and times.

• Monday to Sunday 10:00 to 21:00

The Duddingston Kirk Garden Room, is open for refreshments

• Saturday and Sunday 13:00 – 16:00
• Thursday and Friday 10:00 – 16:00

Access will only be from Duddingston Kirk car park.