PLANS to restore an historic flower garden at Newhailes Estate have been given a welcome boost, thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The work to breathe new life into the internationally-renowned designed landscape at Newhailes is just one of the National Trust for Scotland’s conservation initiatives which will benefit from funding from the charity lottery.

The designed landscape at Newhailes is considered very significant in heritage terms, although many of its features were lost in the last half of the 20th century.

A project to restore the grounds to their previous garden state is under way and has been painstakingly researched by experts, with an archaeological dig carried out to try and establish the original layout.

A spokesperson for the National Trust for Scotland said: “We know there was a beautiful flower garden which was located to the left hand-side of the house; however, its upkeep couldn’t be maintained after the Second World War and it is now a grassy area.

“We have some information about the old layout and that it had a network of paths and flowerbeds, and there is an interpretation on site explaining what we think it looked like.

“In September 2014, NTS archaeologists and volunteers from the local community dug some test pits to try to find out more about the garden layout. This was the first stage in a project to bring the garden back to life.

“The plan is that, later this year, the grass will be stripped off and the process of plotting out the garden design, based on our archaeological finds and the archive information we have, will begin.” The project will benefit from a share of £75,000 handed over to NTS this month.

Sanjay Singh, trust manager at People’s Postcode Lottery, who handed over the cheque, said: “I am delighted to be presenting the cheque to NTS.

“The preservation of Scotland’s historic buildings and countryside is of vital importance for now and for future generations.” People’s Postcode Lottery is a charity lottery where players play with their postcodes to win cash prizes whilst raising money for charities and good causes.

As well as the project at Newhailes, the contribution will help fund work to look after important habitats in the Scottish countryside.

David McKinnon, corporate business manager for NTS, said: “The trust works day in day out to look after Scotland’s heritage and it is an expensive business.

“The fantastic support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery will help us to carry out vital projects all over the country, ensuring our historic collections, stunning buildings and outstanding countryside are conserved for the benefit of the nation, now and in the future.”