Archive for December, 2023

Days of Drawing, Reading and Reflection with Brigid Collins

20 January, 17 February & 16 March 2024, 10am-3pm at Dr Neil’s Garden
Fee: £250 for all of the days (includes and donation to the garden)

Over three days, as we gently ease out of our individual and collective Wintering, we will spend time in the quiet lochside surroundings of Dr. Neil’s Garden, together considering our place in the world by sharing in poetry and other writings, conversation, reflection and drawing.

We will each make a simple concertina book, as a container for our personal reflections, with a view to gathering these together in an unfolding that parallels our collective experience…

Places are limited. It may be possible to attend for only some of the days, although ‘drop-in’ is not encouraged, so that we can form a close group; however, do please ask!

To book or find out more about workshops, please visit brigitcollinsart.com or email mail@brigidcollins.co.uk

Millar Hall (Cafe) at Duddingston Kirk Garden, 7.30pm – 8.30pm

We now have the list of next season’s Winter Talks which will take place on the first Thursday of the month from 5th October 2023 – April 2024 (with the exception of January); refreshments afterwards.

The talks are free, but a donation to the Dr Neil’s Garden would be welcomed.

Take a look the exciting and varied list of topics below – be sure mark the dates in your diary...

Thursday 5 Oct 2023
Jewels of the Forth  | Ian Archibald
The Firth of Forth has been for centuries one of the major gateways to Edinburgh and Scotland from Scandinavia and the Baltic. This presentation shines a spotlight on the deserted islands of the Forth. All within viewing distance of the land, many of these abandoned islands are home to tales that deserve to be better known.

Thursday 2 Nov 2023
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Road to Swanston and the Pentland Hills | Mike Lewis
This talk describes the route that Robert Louis Stevenson reputedly took from Edinburgh’s New Town to Swanston and the Pentlands.   

Thursday 7 Dec 2023
The Falklands War 1982 – A Fighting Royal Marine’s Perspective  | Brigadier Iain Gardener
Ian Gardiner was a rifle company commander in 45 Commando and he ‘yomped’ with his Marines across East Falkland and captured the Two Sisters mountain in a furious night battle. He will explain many of the wider aspects of the war as well what it was like to take men into battle in this most challenging of environments.

Thursday 1 Feb 2024
The Great Tapestry of Scotland  | Dorie Wilkie
Dorie was the stitcher coordinator. She took on the huge job of recruiting and organising one thousand stitchers – making the tapestry one of the world’s largest community arts projects.

Thursday 7 Mar 2024
The Rise of Rhubarb  | Kath Hay
The introduction of rhubarb into Edinburgh by Sir Alexander Dick and links to the arrival of the printing press. Dr Neil’s Garden has an interesting connection to this story.

Thursday 4 Apr 2024
Dr Elsie Inglis  | Lesley Orr
The woman who wouldn’t sit still! Eliza Maud “Elsie” Inglis (1864 – 1917) was a Scottish medical doctor, surgeon, teacher, suffragist, and founder of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals.

Why not become a ‘Friend of the Garden’ for only £15 per annum? As a Friend of the Garden, you will be supporting the maintenance and future development of this extraordinary garden.

Application form is available from Barbara Anderson, please email banderson456@hotmail.co.uk 

12-4pm, Millar Hall (Garden Café), Duddingston Kirk Garden

WORKSHOPS NOW FULLY BOOKED

We are delighted to offer again this year our ever popular Christmas Wreath Making Workshops.

Claudia Pottier, our Head Gardener, will give a demonstration and be on hand to encourage and help throughout. 

All materials for the wreaths and decorations are provided, along with tea/coffee and homemade cake. We advise you bring gardening gloves and secateurs. 

For more information, please contact Dorothy Blacklock at dorothy.blacklock@btinternet.com 

Why not become a ‘Friend of the Garden’ for only £15 per annum? As a Friend of the Garden, you will be supporting the maintenance and future development of this extraordinary garden.

Application form is available from Barbara Anderson, please email banderson456@hotmail.co.uk 

Speaker: Brigadier Iain Gardener

Millar Hall (Cafe) at Duddingston Kirk Garden, 7.30pm-8.30pm (refreshments afterwards)

Brigadier lan Gardiner, former rifle company commander in 45 Commando, along with his Marines crossed East Falkland and captured the Two Sisters mountain (shown below) in a furious night battle. He will tell us about this and also explain many of the wider aspects of the war as well as what it was like to take men into battle in this most challenging of environments.

Everyone is very welcome and there is a chance to chat afterwards with wine and nibbles available. And yes, it was 1982!

There is no charge but donations to the Garden charity will be gratefully received.

The Winter Talks take place on the first Thursday of the month until April 2024 (with the exception of January) Find out more

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Why not become a ‘Friend of the Garden’ for only £15 per annum? As a Friend of the Garden, you will be supporting the maintenance and future development of this extraordinary garden.

Application form is available from Barbara Anderson, please email banderson456@hotmail.co.uk 

Duddingston Kirk Hall, 7.30pm (Doors open 7pm)

After last year’s success with ‘Love, Loss & Dating’, The Swells are back with their most recent show which was performed at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

‘Roving Mad’ is an evening of Jazz Cabaret with stories and song about travel to odd places, meeting odd people and having odd experiences.

BYOB – soft drinks available

Tickets: £12 from banderson456@hotmail.co.uk or from Eventbrite

Why not become a ‘Friend of the Garden’ for only £15 per annum? As a Friend of the Garden, you will be supporting the maintenance and future development of this extraordinary garden.

Application form is available from Barbara Anderson, please email banderson456@hotmail.co.uk