Dirleton Open Gardens 2026
For as long as can be remembered, gardens in Dirleton have been open to the public for two days in the summer under Scotland’s Gardens scheme to raise money for charity. The next opening will be in June 2026 – final dates to be confirmed. A dozen or more gardens, scattered throughout the village, will be open on a Saturday and Sunday from 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm. Each is within a short walking distance of the village green, where tickets will be on sale and where maps showing the location of the gardens will be available. They can all be visited on a single ticket (£tbc for adults, free for children under the age of 16). Teas will be served in the church hall by RNLI volunteers and church helpers.
In addition to the individual gardens there will be two special attractions. First, the Dirleton Primary School are opening their Rainbow Orchard, at the top of the village, where there are many varieties of fruit trees which the children are encouraged to look after and where there is also a willow nursery.
Secondly, the Open Gardens ticket gives admission to the gardens of the Castle. These contain an herbaceous border extending to over 200 metres in length, claimed to be one of the longest such borders in the world, and a fine parterre, a geometrically designed area set out in classical French style.
All the above activities will raise money for good causes. 40% of the takings will go to the RNLI, 20% to the DCA as the local conservation body and 40% shared between Scotland’s Gardens beneficiaries – The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland, Maggie’s (Everyone’s home of cancer care) and Perennial (helping people in horticulture).
Contact – Rhona Campbell
Mobile 07748 768509
Scotland’s Gardens Scheme
Dirleton Open Gardens
Dear Gardeners of Dirleton,
Happy New Year to everyone.
This is the time of year when our gardens are pretty devoid of much growth but bulbs are beginning to appear and from now on the garden will need attention
Dirleton Village Gardens are OPEN this year, 2024. The dates are:-
- Saturday 8th June
- Sunday 9th June
I know some of you will be thinking of summer holiday plans so please try to avoid these dates.
The number of openers inevitably fluctuates from year to year and we are looking for some new gardens to ensure that we have a minimum of twelve openers this year. So I appeal to anyone who has not opened before to consider giving it a try.
Please let me know if you will be opening your garden as before or would like advice or assistance to try opening in June 2024. I will be delighted to discuss the details.
Please also remember that the proceeds go to worthy charities – 40% to the RNLI, who are responsible for providing the teas in the Church Hall, 40% to Scotland’s Gardens Scheme’s nominated charities and a very useful 20% to the Dirleton Village Association to help fund village projects and run your village association. At the last opening, in 2022, this raised over £1100 for the DVA.
Carol Drysdale – Garden organiser
6 The Glebe, Dirleton
Telephone 01620 850264
Mobile 07789 915459
Email carol.glebe@btinternet.com
12 January 2024