West Port Garden
2-4 West Port, Edinburgh, EH1
Email: westportgardenersedinburgh@gmail.com
The West Port Garden was initiated by Patrick Geddes in 1909 as one of several gardens in the Old Town to allow slum children to experience nature, green space and gardening. The space was designed by his daughter Norah who was a landscape gardener. And her friend and future sister-in-law Louisa Mears. It was destined to become the showpiece of Geddes’s six Old Town gardens.
Over the decades the Garden has experienced good times and bad times until rescued by the local community group, GRASS (Grassmarket Residents Association). The Group received the keys to the Garden in 2013.A team of volunteer gardeners care for the garden on a challenging steep slope leading up to the College of Art in partnership with Edinburgh Council.
The Garden has proved to be a vital community resource especially as many residents do not have access to private gardens. Active gardeners grow potatoes and summer salad ingredients in their vegetable boxes while wildlife appreciates the flowering bushes and small pond. The Garden has come into its own during lockdowns as a safe place to enjoy fresh air and to meet people.
If you happen to be passing, the Garden will be open to members of the public from 10.30am- 4 pm on Saturday 25th September for Doors Open Day with tours by volunteer gardeners. It is also open to the public on Sunday afternoons from 2pm-4pm weather permitting. If you can’t make it along in person, do enjoy a brief virtual visit below.
The Group’s email address is above, get in touch, they are always looking for new volunteers!
Visit in Person
The West Port Garden will be open to visitors this Doors Open Days on Saturday 25th September 2021 from 10.30am-4pm with local volunteers on hand to show them around.
Sadly the Garden is not wheelchair accessible, nor are there any toilets facilities available.
Visit in Person!
