This is one of Scotland’s most remarkable gardens. Lying next to the 12th century Duddingston Kirk, this secluded, hidden gem is often referred to as Edinburgh’s Secret Garden and described as a place of inspiration, meditation and contemplation.Garden. Many people find it more than a mere garden, and – both before and since the garden was created – this spot has to many been a place of inspiration (artistic, literary, and spiritual), and for meditation and contemplation. We hope that you too may also take away lasting memories, and spread the word about this special place to others.Drs Nancy and Andrew Neil were a husband and wife team of General Practitioners whose practice was in the Meadowbank area, on the north side of Arthur’s Seat. They were an energetic couple who loved to go to other parts of Europe on their summer holidays, towing a caravan through France, Spain and Greece, collecting plants and young trees.
In 1963 Andrew and Nancy began work on part of the Duddingston Glebe (church land) known as The Calves Field, and Dr Neil’s Garden was born. Though the ground had been used for grazing – for calves and geese, its steep slope and rocky surface made it unsuitable for growing crops, and thus so it had never previously been cultivated. The doctors liked to encourage their patients to assist in the Garden, thus allowing them to benefit from healthy outdoor activity and the tranquil setting beside the Loch.
The Garden has won a number of awards over the years and has featured in television programmes and many books and articles.
In 1997, Dr Neil’s Garden Trust was formed, in order to take over the running of the garden, and to safeguard its future. The Garden Trust is a registered charity.
Andrew and Nancy Neil both died in 2005.
