The beginning of June saw the inaugural Scone Palace Garden Fair welcome nearly 4,000 visitors from across the country who were interested in gardening. With thirty-two exhibitors from Scotland and the north of England selling a range of amazing plants, craft stalls, entertainment for kids, and brilliant sunshine, it was the best recipe for a superb two days of all things gardening.
Head Gardener Brian Cunningham (of BBC’s Beechgrove Garden) was on hand to answer questions along with co-presenters, Carol Baxter and George Anderson. They had a wonderful time meeting fans who had plenty of interesting questions.
Lord and Lady Mansfield along with Viscount and Viscountess Stormont attended the Fair and chatted happily with visitors and exhibitors alike.
Viscount Stormont said, “We were absolutely delighted by how well the Garden Fair went in its inaugural year. Turnout was well above what we expected and importantly visitors were buying – so much so that many nurseries had to restock overnight!” Viscount Stormont went on to say, “It is clear that the Scottish gardening community needed this event and meet up. Our ambition is to make this event a home for this community, the home of Scottish horticulture so that all green-fingered Scots, whether they be newbies or professionals, have a space to gather, share ideas, and celebrate the joy of gardening.”
“I met a host of Instagram Gardeners over the weekend as well as folk from the RHS and really enjoyed hearing what they felt would work best. Big themes discussed were wellness in the garden, field to fork and the kitchen garden, and sustainability. The theme of the event being accessible, more intimate, and perhaps less elitist than other shows resonated with everyone.”
Lady Mansfield praised the team at Scone Palace, “After putting in some hard yards to get this event off the ground and moving, the team here at Scone have been hugely buoyed by the level of enthusiastic support for the event from our partners and the stand-holders. We were delighted to raise £3555 from the car parking fee and this is being spilt between three charities, Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, Siobhan’s Trust, and Mary’s Meals.”
M.T. O’Donnell, Editor of Scotland Grows magazine says, “Scotland Grows was delighted to be media sponsor of the inaugural Scone Palace Garden Fair and attend such a fabulous Scottish gardening event, bringing people and plants together. Having not been able to physically meet as a gardening community for the past few years, this event was sorely needed. Watching professional horticulturalists, plant growers and buyers, specialist garden societies, and voluntary organisations come together with visitors to the event, under the banner of Scottish gardening, was a joy to see!”
“The team at Scone Palace were amazing to work alongside, the event was set in the most beautifully kept grounds, and the atmosphere was nothing short of magical.”
The Events team at Scone Palace, headed-up by Heather McArthur, is planning for next year’s Scone Palace Garden Fair which will take place on 2nd-3rd June 2023, so do be sure to pop that date in your diary.
Viscount Stormont said, “I am extremely excited to grow this event to make it the home of Scottish gardening and to do so in tandem with the evolution of the garden and grounds here at Scone Palace. This is what will make this event special in the future.”
More information on Scone Palace is at www.scone-palace.co.uk.