YOUNGSTERS from Stoneyhill Primary School helped relocate snowdrops at Newhailes last week as part of a project to recreate the historic estate’s flower garden.

The pupils joined National Trust for Scotland chief executive Kate Mavor to carry out the work, which was overseen by the trust’s archaeologists.

Also on hand to offer expert advice was head gardener Joshua Cook, who joined the team in January.

When the flower garden is complete, he will be the first gardener to have tended the garden at Newhailes in nearly 70 years.

Newhailes once boasted a beautiful flower garden but this fell into neglect during the Second World War, at a time when many estates lost staff to the war effort. After that, the family could no longer afford to employ a gardener.

The project to restore the half-acre garden is an ambitious one, restoring a rare example of a lost, but largely untouched formal garden that is hidden just below the surface.

The plan is to accurately reinstate its former design using period plants from the 1820s-1920s.

Ms Mavor said: “This time next year, it will be a very different spot as the garden paths and flowers beds will be starting to take shape – adding not only to the visitor’s experience but providing an opportunity to see conservation in action and even get involved in some of our efforts.

“Although it may be difficult to imagine today, the designed landscape at Newhailes is of international significance. Today is the first step in helping restore it to its former glory.” Work on the flower garden is supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, and is part of a wider programme of improvements planned at Newhailes this year.

Property manager Rhiannon Naismith said: “We’re breathing new life into Newhailes this year – as well as the flower garden, we’re in the midst of restoring our historic glasshouse and doo’cot, we’re bringing in brand new family-friendly house tours, we’ve got new exhibitions planned and lots of new events too.”