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Dr Neil's Garden Trust
'Edinburgh's Secret Garden'​​
Nestled at the edge of Duddingston Loch in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, Dr Neil’s Garden – known to many as 'Edinburgh’s Secret Garden' - is a special place.
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Many visitors find it more than a mere garden. This tranquil spot is a place of inspiration (artistic, literary, and spiritual) to many and an oasis for meditation and contemplation. The garden - some two and a half acres - was developed by the Drs Andrew and Nancy Neil starting from scratch in 1964 and they transformed it from little more than a barren rough and uncultivated slope into a prize-winning garden with fine examples of cultivation terraces planted with dwarf conifers, shrubs and alpines.
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The Garden Trust was set up in 1998 as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee to preserve the Neils’ legacy and maintain and develop the garden for the enjoyment of the general public. Entrance to the garden is free but we do welcome voluntary donations. Within the garden is the historic Thomson’s Tower which houses exhibitions and a small curling museum. The Trust employs a full-time gardener who is assisted by a number of volunteers and there is an active Friends’ Group.
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We are looking to recruit two new Trustees to join our existing group, who have a mix of skills including financial and legal. We would particularly welcome hearing from applicants with a horticultural, fundraising, or financial background but enthusiasm, a good sense of humour and the willingness to muck in are the most important attributes we are seeking.
We meet every 6-8 weeks in person in the Garden Room at Duddingston Kirk. We are very hands-on and, for example, the Trustees are much involved in our fundraising and other garden events.
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Please note that this is an unpaid voluntary role.
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