GREEN-FINGERED groups from across East Lothian have been celebrating success at the Beautiful Scotland Awards in Edinburgh.
North Berwick in Bloom (NBIB), alongside Moray group Forres in Bloom, were joint winners of the prestigious Rosebowl.
North Berwick also won the Coastal Town Award, the VisitScotland Award for Tourism and, taking part in the judged category, also received a gold.
Blooming Haddington won the Haddington 700 Award for the Siege of Haddington Commemoration Garden, a collaborative project between the group and the Siege of Haddington Research Group.
Taking part in the judged category, they also received a gold certificate.
East Lothian Council won the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Award.
Finally, Aberlady in Bloom and Dunbar in Bloom took part in the non-judged category and both received certificates of recognition.
Hosted by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, the annual Beautiful Scotland Awards – held in person for the first time since 2019 – took place at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh on Friday.
Libby Morris, chair of North Berwick in Bloom, shared her excitement at the town claiming so many accolades.
She said: “NBIB were delighted to receive the VisitScotland Award for Tourism, which recognises the joint work of many groups, including the Coastal Communities Museum, which tells the story of the early pilgrims who visited the town as well as the healers who looked after people before the advent of the NHS.
“The planting in the seating area outside the police station celebrates these healers, and also commemorates the many women and healers wrongly accused of witchcraft.
“Many groups and individuals took part in the preparations for the judging tour in August. Of special note were the new seagull-proof bins co-ordinated by Sustaining North Berwick.
“The Bass Rock Community Group, Harbour Helpers, Rotary, Lobster Hatchery and Scottish Seabird Centre were all mentioned in the judges’ report and the NBIB team could not have achieved their gold medal, Coastal Town Trophy and the Rosebowl without them.”
Libby also added her thanks to Johnn Stevens, head of the North Berwick amenity team, and Angus Campbell, the head of East Lothian Council nurseries, for their vital contributions to the town's continuing success.
Frances Wright, chairwoman of Blooming Haddington, was “delighted” with the success and stressed it was a team effort.
She said: “It was great to get the Haddington 700 Award for the new gabion baskets at the Siege of Haddington Commemoration Garden.”
The five steel baskets, designed to replicate the wicker baskets used in the siege, are filled with plants representing some of the countries that fought in the siege, as well as 16th-century medicinal herbs.
The commemoration garden was officially opened in June.
East Lothian Provost John McMillan, who also represents the Haddington and Lammermuir ward, said: “We are very proud of the hard-working volunteers who, over many years, have made such a significant contribution to the appearance of local communities.
“Recognition at the Beautiful Scotland Awards is greatly deserved, reflecting both their dedication and creativity.
“It is also wonderful to see the efforts of council staff recognised and I thank them for their successful partnering with local groups in delivering such beautifully colourful displays.”
Forty-five groups from all over Scotland were presented with awards and certificates of recognition for their efforts to improve, enhance and protect biodiversity and the places they care for and work and live in.
Judging visits took place during early August, with a team of Keep Scotland Beautiful volunteer judges considering groups’ efforts across three pillars: horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.
This year there were a total of 24 awards available including, for 2023 only, a health and well-being award, supported by the Scottish Association for Mental Health, to celebrate this year’s theme.
A non-judged category was introduced in 2021 for groups who wanted access to the support, resources and recognition available through the initiative but did not yet feel ready to participate in a judged category.
At the ceremony, these groups were presented with a certificate of recognition, as were the four groups representing Scotland in the UK RHS Britain in Bloom finals later this year.
Juliette Camburn, senior officer, community initiatives at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “I’d like to wish a huge congratulations to the four groups in East Lothian who were honoured at this year’s Beautiful Scotland Awards.
“Being together in person to celebrate the collective efforts to improve our local communities, after such a long absence, has been fantastic.
“We’re facing climate and nature crises in Scotland, and everyone must play their part to halt biodiversity loss and to protect and enhance nature.
“The efforts of our groups, and all involved in their communities, is truly inspiring, ensuring their local areas are not only protected but improved for future generations.
“Every group thoroughly deserves their awards and recognition, and their collective effort is immensely appreciated.”
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