Archive for June, 2021

Artist in Residence – Brigid Collins

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.

Nature Paintings by Harry Mafuji 22nd to 27th June 10:30 to 16:00

We’re pleased to present a new exhibition of Nature Paintings by Harry Mafuji

The exhibition is held in Thomson’s Tower, in Dr Neil’s Garden

The Garden of Delight 6th to 29th August 13:00 – 14:00

N.B. There is no performance on 21st, 22nd or 23rd of August

Join us again for the award winning show ‘The Garden of Delight’ in Dr Neil’s Garden.

Previous promenade play

This is an ecological themed promenade play for children aged 4-10 years old and their families.


Tickets through the Edinburgh Fringe Box Office www.edfringe.com or at the door. Tickets £7 or £20 for a family of 4.

If you are able to volunteer as a steward for some of the days of this event, please contact Anne McCrossan 07974382206.


Festival by the Loch 21st August 12:00 to 17:00 – SOLD OUT

To be opened by author Ian Rankin

Join us for an afternoon of eclectic entertainment including music, poetry and storytelling by local artists

Entertainment will include music by Aberlady Moonshine Orchestra, Rosie Nimmo, The Tubby Horse Company, Colette Woods, Alfie Leishman, Pete Baynes, Marc Pilley and Brian Gibbs as well as talks by Jetta Megarry and poetry from Bashabi Fraser.

Our authors’ books will be for sale, or you can bring your own Ian Rankin book to have him sign for a small donation to Dr Neil’s Garden.

Refreshments available all afternoon as well as plant sales, garden advice and other attractions.

The venues will be: a marquee in the Manse garden, the Thomson Tower, the Kirk and within Dr Neils Garden itself.

All proceeds to Dr Neil’s Garden Trust. A full programme will be published nearer the time but tickets are limited. So buy early.

Tickets are £10 each and give access to all events for the day. You can obtain tickets from:

  • Eventbrite, see the Festival By The Loch
  • the Just World Shop in Portobello High Street
  • Garden Room café at Duddingston Kirk.

Duddingston Kirk Garden Room open from 3rd June 2021

As COVID restrictions ease we are pleased to open the Garden Room again on the following days for the sale of refreshments

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