RESIDENTS in the village of Inveresk are opening their gardens to the public after a four-year gap.

The biennial event, held as part of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, last took place in 2018 and was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Visitors are invited to meander through the horticultural attractions on display this Saturday and Sunday, from 2pm to 5pm.

Local organiser Ian Orr said: “There is a wide range of gardens on display, with plenty to inspire those who enjoy growing plants whether they have spaces large or small.

“There is more and more evidence that immersing oneself in a garden is not only good for the garden but also good for the gardener’s health, both mental and physical.”

The gardens at six houses, community allotments and Inveresk Lodge Garden, run by the National Trust for Scotland, will welcome visitors this year.

East Lothian Courier: Joe Alves keeps the topiary hedge at Double Dykes at Inveresk in trim for the owner by clipping it three times a year. It is a popular sight with visitors walking around the village for the garden open days.Joe Alves keeps the topiary hedge at Double Dykes at Inveresk in trim for the owner by clipping it three times a year. It is a popular sight with visitors walking around the village for the garden open days.

Elinor Evans will also play her clarsach (Celtic harp) outside the Green House at Eskhill.

Mr Orr said that she would perform for two half-hour sessions each day, “thanks to the generous support of Trinity Roofing”.

Roy and Vivienne Bouch, of Eskhill House, are newcomers to the garden scheme at Inveresk, having moved to the village in 2020 after living in Hong Kong and Edinburgh.

Mrs Bouch said: “When we found Eskhill House, it hadn’t been lived in for four years and the garden was totally overgrown and a beast of a challenge.

“We moved during the middle of lockdowns, in October 2020, and spent the following year renovating the house and, of course, trying to get the garden back under control.

“To say that tackling the garden at Eskhill was a challenge would be underestimating the amount of physical work we both undertook but it was great fun, so healthy for us and incredibly rewarding.”

East Lothian Courier: A herbaceous border at Eskhill HouseA herbaceous border at Eskhill House

They have put in hundreds of hours of spadework, planting about 25 lavender plants and restoring an overgrown pond as a focal point of the garden.

Mrs Bouch added: “We are very proud of what we have achieved so far; like any garden, it will continue to be a constant work in progress but hopefully we’re at least bringing back some of the garden’s former glory.

“Participating in the ‘open gardens’ just seemed a good opportunity to share the garden with those that may be interested.”

Another couple making their gardens scheme debut are Patrick Elsdale and Sarah Cay, who moved to Eskhill Lodge at Inveresk last July to find the garden of their new home in full bloom.

Mr Elsdale said: “The garden was obviously a creative labour of love for the previous owners, who had real skill and commitment.

“We were a bit overawed by what we had taken on, as neither of us could be described as keen or skilled gardeners.

“However, we were determined to learn about both gardening and the creative subtleties inherent in an undertaking of this sort.”

East Lothian Courier: A pond at Eskhill House has been restored as a focal point of the gardenA pond at Eskhill House has been restored as a focal point of the garden

He said: “The garden is a blend of woodland and more formal herbaceous bedding, with smaller garden areas to the side and front. It also has a greenhouse and a small vegetable bed area.

“We love the way wildlife is present, with jays, frogs and toads.

“Part of the reason we are opening the garden is that it will show we are not experts and are doing what we can.

“In fact, we fully expect our visitors to gently point us in the right direction if they spot any obvious schoolboy errors.”

Those arriving on foot, by bike or by public transport will be especially welcome but there are also arrangements for those travelling by car.

The car park at Musselburgh Grammar School will be open for those coming from Musselburgh, as will a field for parking on Crookston Road for those coming from the A1/Dalkeith direction.

Car drivers are specifically requested not to park on the central village roadway.

Refreshments and snacks will be provided by Beanstalk (Fife) and Musselburgh’s Mint Fig.

Luca’s ice cream will be available outside Rose Court and Macplants will have a plant stall on Sunday.

The main recipient of the money raised will be Live Music Now Scotland.