Granton Castle Walled Garden Newsletter
Welcome
Dear Subscribers
Welcome to the Granton Castle Walled Garden February newsletter.
In it, we share stories from the garden and its volunteers, from surprising wildlife encounters to historic treasures, and celebrate the people who nurture it.
There is plenty to discover as the garden wakes into the new year, and we look forward to sharing more highlights and opportunities in the months ahead.
Community
Wassailing at the Garden
Our annual wassailing on 18 January was a great success, and even the weather gods were on our side and gave us a dry day.
Here, Ingsay shares a little of the magic from the day:
“The garden comes alive with dogs, bairns, and folk of all ages on our Wassail Day. Tuneful singing, led by the wonderful Penny Stone, had us all joining old Rounds in parts so it felt like a trip to a distant past. We have our own tradition now, and it grows richer every year.” - Ingsay Balfour, Trustee
See more highlights from the day here with photos capturing the merriment and community spirit.
For the latest event updates, visit the 👉 GCWG Events Page
Wildlife
The Peacock’s Eye
During a spring clear-out in the garden, a hibernating Peacock butterfly surprised us all with its brilliantly patterned wings… and an unexpected hissing sound! Ian tells the story of this remarkable encounter and what makes the Peacock one of nature’s cleverest defenders.
👉 Read the full story here
Spotlight
The Playfair Book of Hours
In this month’s newsletter, Gillean looks at the Playfair Book of Hours, a beautifully illustrated medieval book that helped people organise their days and seasons. These books often show everyday life, including work, plants and animals and give us a picture of how closely people once lived with the land. Many of these seasonal patterns still feel familiar in the garden today, especially as climate change is affecting what we grow and when we harvest.
👉 Read Gillean’s article and see more photos of this fascinating book
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
Your interest, time, and energy help the garden thrive. Whether you come along, volunteer, or simply mention the garden to your friends, every bit of support nurtures the garden and our community. We can’t wait to see you this winter and into the new growing season.🌿
