Suntrap Garden

Tucked away peacefully, up the back road from Ratho to Gogarbank, the Suntrap Garden lies, in predatory wait, ready to stun the next unsuspecting visitor. Full of interesting nooks and crannies, walkways and features, doocots and follies, colour and harmony, the garden subtly invites you into its bosom.

As you progress through its glorious array of timeless shrubs and flowers, you become more and more entranced. That the sun was a welcome guest throughout their last open day in May, was the icing on the cake for the myriad of visitors who pleasurably swarmed over the garden as it totally lived up to its name. Live music, plant sales at remarkably reasonable prices and aesthetic delights at every turn, made the day a success for all. This year the Open Day will be held on 25th May. Don’t miss it!

Suntrap was created in1957 by George Boyd Anderson, who lived in Suntrap House. This innovative and philanthropic character was a very keen amateur gardener who was interested in the use of solar energy and insulation. These he incorporated in the garden buildings, hence the name ‘Suntrap’. After Anderson’s death in 1972, the garden was bequeathed to the ‘National Trust for Scotland’ and ‘Lothian Regional Council’, to provide an advice centre for amateur gardeners and a facility for horticultural education.

In 1984, the upkeep of Suntrap Garden became the responsibility of the horticultural staff at Oatridge College in Ecclesmachan, West Lothian, with the help of the ‘Friends of Suntrap’. ‘Friends of Suntrap’ are a bunch of enthusiastic gardeners who support the work of the college and the garden, and regularly meet at Suntrap organising events and helping with open days. During the months of May to September, the ‘Friends’ man the garden on Sunday afternoons where they are happy to chat to the public and answer their questions.

Suntrap covers three acres, and, as the name suggests, is south facing, encouraging and entrapping the heat of the sun throughout the day. Designed and laid out in distinct areas, the garden is easy to negotiate through the network of connecting paths. The many smaller gardens, which comprise the large garden, are linked by the pathways which constantly reveal one more breath-gasping sight round each bend. The variety of situations and aspects produce plants suited to shady, damp, sunny, wooded or exposed areas, giving ideas for, or solving problems often encountered in, domestic gardens.

Excellent teaching and demonstration facilities can be found within Suntrap Garden, including classrooms, a potting shed, glasshouses, polythene tunnels, propagation facilities, a small reference library and practical outdoor areas. Talks, practical classes and lectures are held throughout the year. In 2001 the garden became a ‘Centre for Life Long Learning’.

Once visited, Suntrap will beckon you back again and again. This small garden, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, with so much to offer, is a gem just waiting to be discovered.

Suntrap is open to the public daily from 10am-6pm (May-September) and 10am - 4pm (October - April)
Aadmission is £1 (children and National Trust members free). There is free, limited space, parking.
You can join the ‘Friends of Suntrap’ for an annual subscription of £5. A programme of events including evening classes at Suntrap is available from Oatridge College: 01506 854387
Website: www.suntrap-garden.org.uk