Inverewe’s new gates
Like many organisations, the National Trust for Scotland’s costs have risen significantly since 2020. At Inverewe Garden, a combination of material costs, energy costs and investing in a larger garden team has resulted in an annual expenditure of £1.4 million.
Inverewe has benefitted from many kind donations, and in 2024 we were fortunate to receive an anonymous donation with no pre-set parameters. Thanks to this donation, we were able to address one of the garden’s challenges and install beautiful new gates at the entrance of Inverewe’s walled garden.
Kevin Ball, Head Gardener, describes the process of designing and installing the new gates: ‘As head gardener, I not only organise and oversee these hard features for the garden, but I also have direct input because I’m a creative person who connects history with any changes we make in the garden, where possible. I first brought Ratho Byres’ skill to the Trust’s awareness because their artistry and blacksmithing struck a chord with my own innovation and creativity.’
They have the ability to bring metalwork possibilities that add an extra dimension to the feature.”
In the case of the fruit gate, the concept came from a quote that Osgood Mackenzie, the garden’s founder, wrote for the Glasgow Herald on Saturday 27 March 1909.
‘And now a few more words about what my English friends are pleased to call my kitchen garden. Nothing, I believe, astounded my hearers in London more than that in the long period from the early sixties up to now I had never failed to have a crop of apples – and, I might add, pears and plums also. Yet, this is a fact, though the crops of course varied in quantity and quality according to the season; whereas in England and in the south and east of Scotland I constantly hear the cry of “No apples this year”. So much for the good old Gulf Stream!’
Kevin said: ‘I wanted to connect with Osgood’s pride in his horticultural achievements and the fact that we still garden in a similar way. In the case of this gate, Ratho took my initial drawing and researched elements of fruit and how fruit grew on trees, and then brought their craftsmanship to turn my concept into a pictorial gate.
‘I always very much feel that Osgood and his daughter Mairi have left us a most loved legacy, which we have the privilege of building on for hopefully many generations. Thanks to our donors’ generosity, trust and support, we can create beautiful pieces that add beauty to Inverewe Garden, inspired by its rich history and heritage.’
If you would like to help Inverewe Garden by becoming an Inverewe Ambassador or making a donation, please contact fundraisingteam@nts.org.uk
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Rare species thrive in this heritage garden as the effects of the Gulf Stream meet the Highlands.
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