7 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
The garden roof with more than 70 different kinds of trees
New Lanark is famous for the pioneering ideas of its owner, Robert Owen, who promoted education and welfare for his workers, and who planted the surrounding area with trees and shrubs to encourage an appreciation of nature. Owen would no doubt then have approved of the creation of a green space at the very heart of his industrial complex.
The garden on the roof contains more than 70 different kinds of trees, shrubs and flowers, including hornbeam, yew, allium and honeysuckle, all of which have been chosen for their toughness and ability to withstand the exposed position. There are sculptures of animals and a central water feature, while from the walls there are views over the surrounding countryside and the steep-sided valley of the River Clyde.
The layout of the garden, with its curves and swirls, represent the workings of the machinery that once produced cotton in the mills below, while today the clatter of industry has been replaced by the hum of bees that move from flower to flower, in the company of a wide variety of butterflies and other insects.
Birds are also regular visitors and earlier this year a pair of ducks raised a brood of ducklings on the rooftop.
New Lanark Roof Garden hares (Image: Discover Gardens)
The garden is looked after by a team of dedicated volunteers and work is currently underway to refresh the original planting scheme, adding even more flowers and foliage to this elevated position.
The garden is open year-round, but on Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 it will be open in aid of Scotland's Gardens Scheme, the charity that supports a long list of good causes through garden openings including, in the case of New Lanark Roof Garden, COVEY, a local befriending service for young people and families.
Scotland's Gardens Scheme has been organising garden openings for more than 90 years and included in its famous 'Yellow Book' which lists all gardens open throughout the year, are rambling country plots, smart suburban gardens, allotments and wildflower meadows.
Upcoming openings include, on Sunday, August 17, Grow Cook Inspire, author and podcaster Helen Cross's family and wildlife-friendly garden in Netherlee and Horatio's Garden at the National Spinal Unit in Glasgow on Sunday August 31.
New Lanark Roof Garden (Image: Discover Gardens)
The charity is always keen to recruit more gardeners to open their gates, particularly small urban courtyards, tenement back courts and other city-centre green spaces, as these have proved to be particularly popular with garden visitors.
More details of gardening openings and how to participate are available at
Details:
New Lanark Roof Garden will open for Scotland's Gardens Scheme on Saturday, 9 and Sunday, 10 August from 12 noon until 4pm.
Tickets: £5/children free
Car parking £3
A shuttle bus is available to transport visitors from the car park to the village and there is a cafe on site.
In association with Discover Scottish Gardens
