Dr Neil’s Garden
Address: Old Church Lane, Duddingston, Edinburgh, EH15 3PX
Dr Neil’s Garden is a secluded garden on the lower slopes of Arthur’s Seat, which opens to the public usually around March to October each year. Located in Duddingston Village, east of Edinburgh. The garden was founded by two doctors, Andrew and Nancy Neil, in 1963. The husband and wife team transformed an area of uncultivated land known as The Calves Field into a peaceful and welcoming garden with conifers, heathers, alpines and some herbaceous borders. Part of the garden is now a Physic Garden, dedicated to the memory of the two Dr Neils, who both passed away in 2005.
Thomson’s Tower, dating from 1825, sits in one corner of the garden. This was originally built for the Duddingston Curling Society to store curling stones. It was restored in 2009 by the Dr Neil’s Garden Trust and is now a Curling Museum, where you can learn about the history of this winter sport.
5 things to do at Dr Neil’s Garden
- Visit the garden and explore its beautiful plants.
- Learn about the medicinal use of plants in the Physic Garden.
- Attend a special talk or event.
- Visit the Curling Museum inside Thomson’s Tower.
- Enjoy refreshments in the Garden Room Café.
