Granton Castle Walled Garden Newsletter
Welcome
Dear Subscribers
A very happy New Year to you from all of us here at Granton Castle Walled Garden.
We are currently closed for our festive break, but we are looking forward to welcoming you through our gates very soon. Our first volunteering session of the new year takes place on Monday, 5 January, and we will reopen to visitors the following weekend, on 10 and 11 January.
Events
Wassailing
at Granton Castle Walled Garden
Sunday, 18 January, 1-3 pm
Join us in the orchard for our annual Wassailing, a joyful winter gathering to mark the turning of the year together.
Penny Stone will lead the singing and guide us through a mix of traditional and contemporary wassailing songs. We’ll spend time outdoors, singing together, sharing food and drink, and celebrating the season as a community. Apple-based food and drinks will be available by donation.
All are very welcome, whether you come to sing, listen, or simply enjoy being part of it.
For the latest events updates, visit the 👉 GCWG Events Page
Plants & Wildlife
Winter heliotrope is quietly spreading around in the garden and beyond its walls. Isla takes a closer look at this early-flowering, sweetly scented plant, its history at Granton Castle Walled Garden, and the hidden activity beneath the soil.
Winter Heliotrope (Petasites pyrenaicus) is growing in the garden and outside the walls. It has recently been spreading inside the garden by the east and west wall. It was previously named Petasites fragrans, which is perhaps more apt in view of the fact that the flowers are strongly almond or vanilla scented. Research at St Andrews University has shown that the chemical causing the smell repels ants!
👉 Read Isla’s full piece here
Spotlight
School visit to the garden
The Long Read
“A youthful horde” arrives at the garden, and something unexpectedly heart-warming unfolds. Ian Young reflects on a school visit that became a powerful lesson in community, shared effort and pride in work.
👉 Read the full story here.
Community
Call for Creative Writing Submissions: Climate Stories
We’ve been asked to share this opportunity from an independent research project at the University of Glasgow, which may be of interest to members of our wider community.
🌍 How do you feel about climate change?
Through writing a 
story about climate change, you can help shape new research at the University of Glasgow into what people in Scotland think and feel about the changing climate and whether this has an impact on their mental health or emotional wellbeing.
You don’t need to have previous writing experience or be an expert on climate change – just an interest in sharing your perspective through creative writing.
✔ Stories can be up to 1,000 words
✔ Fiction or nonfiction welcome
✔ Open to anyone aged 18+ currently living in Scotland
📅 Deadline: 28 February 2026
👉 Submit your story: www.climatestories.co.uk
Visit Us
Opening hours:
Saturdays and Sundays
April - end of October: 14:00 -16:00
November - end of March: 13:00 - 15:00
Volunteer Hours & Getting Involved:
👉 Volunteer with GCWG
Help us nurture the garden into the year ahead. Whether you visit, volunteer, or simply spread the word, your support makes a real difference. We look forward to welcoming you back this winter and beyond.🌿
