Rattray Community Garden opens its gates as part of Scotland’s Garden Scheme

The popular community garden in Rattray is holding an open day this Saturday, July 18, 2026.

Rattray Community Garden, a Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) project, aims to bring people together for the community experience of growing food and flowers within a welcoming space, supporting health and wellbeing and local food growing, improving gardening skills, and reducing social isolation.

The open day, which takes place from 2pm to 5pm, is being held as part of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme which sees gardens across the country open to members of the public in support of charities of their choice.

Last year, Scotland’s Garden Scheme celebrated a record year, raising over £425,000 for 254 charities and good causes.

Lesley McDonald, operations officer at BRDT, is looking forward to welcoming people to the open aUernoon. She said: “We’re delighted to be opening the community garden in Ra3ray as part of Scotland’s Garden Scheme, which this year will see more than 450 gardens across the country open their gates to visitors.

“Rattray Community Garden is situated in what was once a Victorian walled garden and has been cultivated on no-dig principles.

“This is our third growing season and we’re currently growing a wide variety of vegetables including potatoes, carrots, broccoli, kale, sprouts, broad beans, peas, garlic, onions, leeks, artichokes, spinach, sweetcorn, tomatoes and cucumbers, with excess vegetables distributed within the community.

“The open day is a great opportunity for people to visit a working garden in the heart of Rattray and chat to volunteers. We’re looking forward to the open day and sharing the space with lots of people this Saturday.”

Highlights in Rattray Community Garden include colourful flower beds, an apothecary garden, a small pond and a very productive vegetable garden.

At the open day, visitors will be able to speak to volunteers about how the garden works, view the compost heaps, relax in some of the seating areas and enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

There will also be a treasure hunt for children, plants for sale and other stalls, and music from the Blair Ukes throughout the afternoon.

Admission to the open day is £5 for adults with children under 16 free.

More information, including directions to the Community Garden, can be found online at https://scotlandsgardens.org/rattray-community-garden/

Alternatively, email [email protected] or message the Rattray Community Garden Facebook page.