Opening Times & Events
We are open Monday to Sunday 10am to 5pm
See the WHAT’S ON page for details about our programme of Exhibitions and Events in 2023:
- October 2024 – April 2025
Winter Talks Programme 24/25 - 10 October 2024
The Rise of the Rhubarb | Kath Hay | Free
Entry is free of charge (except for some advertised events) but we welcome donations – see our Support Us page. For commercial group visits, we encourage some payment.
The Duddingston Kirk Garden Room Cafe is open Thursdays & Fridays 10am-4pm; Saturdays & Sundays 1pm-4pm.
No dogs allowed, except for assistance dogs
Thomson’s Tower
The Tower is open to the public by special arrangement
In one corner of the garden is Thomson’s Tower, designed by William Henry Playfair, and built in 1825 for the Duddingston Curling Society to store its stones. The upper floor was both a meeting place for the curlers and a studio for the respected artist the Rev. John Thomson, minister of Duddingston from 1805 till 1840.
During 2008-09, Dr Neil’s Garden Trust restored the Tower – with grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland – Read more.
The Lower Chamber, where the curling stones were kept in days of old, is now a Museum of Curling with a fascinating exhibitions with interesting memorabilita about Curling past and present, along with old film footage of curling on ice and much more – Read more.
The Upper Chamber is an interpretation centre dedicated to the Garden, Duddingston Village, Playfair, Thomson and other interesting celebrities associated with the Garden.
The Upper Chamber is a pleasant small venue with a lovely outlook for holding art exhibitions, workshops and small gatherings, and can be hired for these purposes – Read more.