We had a wonderful weekend performing TRANSPLANTED at two of National Trust for Scotland's stunning gardens. On friday night we headed down to Dumfries and Galloway to Threave Estate where the Galloway supporters group hosted a unique evening of entertainment. It wasn't just a concert but a black tie and posh frock affair, with fizz, food and floral garnishes to enjoy. The tables decorations were magnificent and each named after a wild plant from the programme. The star of the evening had to be James Oswald, his name and music was new to most people and some guests were so enamoured with the man they were calling him Jimmy O by the end of the evening.
The National Trust for Scotland has managed Threave Estate since 1948 providing a safe haven for many species of birds, mammals and insects. This is possible due to the diversity of habitats within the 1,500 acres, including farmland, woodland, marshes and a two-mile stretch of the River Dee.Threave is a great place for bats, it's mixed habitat provides for the seven different species there, including the rare whiskered bat. Beautiful meadows and wetlands in the wider estate host an abundance of insects for them to feed on, whilst the buildings and woodlands provide ideal roosting sites, making it the perfect place to support a diverse range of species.
On Sunday we didn't have to go far from home to Greenbank Garden on the south side of Glasgow. Greenbank House and its walled garden were built for Robert Allason in the 1760s. In 1962, the estate was purchased by William Blyth, who set to work transforming the garden into the design you see today. In 1976, William gifted Greenbank House and Garden to the NTS and it is now a place of inspiration for gardeners and relaxation for visitors. We set up in the coach house, a delightfully small building with a wonderfully warm acoustic. It was because the venue was so small that we decided to perform 2 bonsai versions of TRANSPLANTED that afternoon. Greenbank Garden has some 3,700 named species of plants that are pollinated each year by the bees that at looked after by an organisation called Plan Bee. We were interested to find that management is in place to transform the paddocks surrounding the garden back to wildflower meadow and while this may take several years it will be great fodder for the bees and a visual feast for any visitor.
A.R.
