History
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In 1972, Douglas, 14th Duke of Hamilton, purchased the 1.59 acres of land in Sidegate to the rear of Haddington House. These were formerly the private gardens of 17th. century Haddington House but had lapsed into a sad state of decline.
The Duke of Haddington then formed Haddington Garden Trust, now Haddington Garden Trust SCIO, having gifted the land to the Trust, becoming its first chairman until his untimely death in 1973.
The Trust's aims were clearly stated - "To preserve the garden as an open precinct for the enjoyment of the public and to encourage the study of old Scottish gardens and gardening methods." These aims are still closely observed today by the Board of Trustees and the Executive Management Committee.
The Duke of Haddington then formed Haddington Garden Trust, now Haddington Garden Trust SCIO, having gifted the land to the Trust, becoming its first chairman until his untimely death in 1973.
The Trust's aims were clearly stated - "To preserve the garden as an open precinct for the enjoyment of the public and to encourage the study of old Scottish gardens and gardening methods." These aims are still closely observed today by the Board of Trustees and the Executive Management Committee.
The garden was designed by the architect Schomberg Scott to a specification of the Trust's second chairman, Sir George Taylor, former director of the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew. The choice of garden design reflects the features of a 17th. Century Scottish garden, the mount, the sunken garden, the pleached allee of laburnum, the boxed hornbeam walk, the cottage garden, the orchard and meadow, the period rose border and raised herb beds.
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Archive images kindly provided by the John Gray Center