Early Days

Early Days |  Post War |  Today

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS), a registered charity, was created in 1931 in order to facilitate the opening of private gardens to the public as a means of raising money to support the training and pensions of the Queen's Nurses, generally known as District Nurses. Four years earlier The National Gardens Scheme had been founded in England for the same purpose.

The Scheme was an instant success owing to the energy and commitment of the first SGS Committee chaired by the Countess of Minto and supported keenly by HRH The Duchess of York and Violet, Countess of Mar and Kellie. The handbook in 1932 listed over 500 gardens, mostly large country house gardens, that were opening in return for a "voluntary contribution". £5,400, equivalent to £242,800 today, was raised and as a result the district nurses' pension of £20.00 was doubled.

During the war years the gardens continued to open although the number dropped down to 300 or so. Proceeds however actually increased as in true British spirit garden owners tried to ignore the weeds and dug for victory by growing vegetables for sale in the flower beds. Teas continued to be served on the lawns...without sugar. Such was the esteem in which garden openings were held that extra petrol was allowed for special buses to bring visitors from the mines and factories and owners were issued with special application forms for sufficient petrol to mow the lawns once a month.