AN OPEN garden event in Inveresk proved popular with visitors and locals alike this year.

Ian Orr, village representative of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, said: “Visitors to Inveresk enjoyed the opportunity to appreciate a great variety of gardens.

“A steady flow of horticultural enthusiasts resulted in over £3,100 being raised – the bulk of which will go to support St Columba’s Hospice.

“Many visitors took the opportunity to pause and listen to local school pupil Alex Thompson play relaxing music on his keyboard while they appreciated the beauty of the garden around them.

“Sir Charles and Lady Ann Fraser opened their gardens again, this time in aid of the British Red Cross.

“The organisers would like to thank all car driving visitors who followed the parking signage and kept the main road clear for emergency vehicle access.”

He added: “Iain and Angela Black, Fred Lawson and Isabel Orr provided guidance to visitors to Inveresk.”

As well as private gardens to explore at the event, as part of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, there was the added attraction of a sale of botanical art prints and cards by The Botanigals.

The Edinburgh-based botanical art collective, established late last year, is an eight-strong, female group of artists passionate about all things floral.

They say their work has a “diversity of style” and is often centred around Scottish wild flowers.

The group was born from an idea from Musselburgh-based art tutor Suzanne Gibson, who realised many of her regular Birchwood Art Studio students had become “too good” and felt they could “thrive and develop” further by coming together to nurture creative ideas, designs and products for sale.

She said: “It’s been a wonderful experience seeing how everyone’s style is developing in a unique way.

“We are in our infancy but if the successful event is anything to go by we should continue to grow and develop with the support of a loyal following who appreciate the art we create. It’s really exciting.”

The Botanigals set up a pop-up exhibition and shop in the historic glasshouse at Inveresk Lodge Garden, which is run by the National Trust for Scotland.

Suzanne added: “There is nothing better than meeting people in person and chatting about your artwork. The Botanigals were pleased to support the event this year, with the nominated charity being St Columba’s Hospice Care.”

The Botanigals can be found on Instagram and Facebook, and hope to soon develop a new website and online sales.