Ancient society celebrated at walled garden's open weekend

Visitors are being encouraged to stop off at Amisfield Walled Garden, on the outskirts of Haddington, on August 24 and 25.

As well as a chance to tour the garden, there will also be an opportunity to find out more about the Ancient Fraternity of Free Gardeners.

That group, started in 1667, purchased a property which was home to the Gardeners’ Arms, on the corner of the town's Market Street.

A short parade around the garden will be led by a piper from 11am and with a flower bower aloft, as was performed annually by the Haddington Free Gardeners.

A short and informative talk on the group, which functioned until 1953, will also be held.

Tea, coffee and home baking will be on offer from 11am to 2pm, while there will also be a treasure hunt for children and families, as well as the chance to play lawn games in the garden.

On the Saturday, there will be a nature mobiles workshop with Kate Millbank and Barbara Gray between 11am and 1pm.

Amisfield Walled Garden is looking forward to welcoming visitors later this month (Image: Contributed)

A spokesperson for the event said: “Join us to celebrate the magic of summer in the beautiful Amisfield Walled Garden.

“Gathering inspiration from the wonderful botanical surroundings, we will use foraged materials from the garden, including feathers, seeds and plants, to create seasonal mobiles and pieces of hanging artwork.

“You can hang your mobile in the garden or take home with you to enjoy.”

Amisfield Walled Garden is looking forward to welcoming visitors later this month (Image: Contributed)

On the Sunday, there will be a sketching workshop with Fantoosh Sketching from 12.30pm.

The open weekend, part of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, takes place from 10am to 4pm both days.