18th March 2008

Winton House opens its doors to celebrate 75 years of supporting Scotland’s Garden Scheme

Spring Open Weekend: Saturday 29th March & Sunday 30th March.

 

Winton House near Pencaitland, East Lothian is opening its doors to the public for its Spring Open Weekend on 29th and 30th March for historical guided tours, walks in the woods, traditional homemade lunches and an opportunity to try your hand at Clay Pigeon Shooting, Archery and Falconry.

On Sunday the gardens are open as part of Scotland’s garden Scheme (SGS) and all proceeds will go to Princes Royal Trust for carer’s and SGS affiliated charities.

Sir Francis Ogilvy, who is the factor for the Estate, is proud of the work his team:

“This year we are celebrating our support for Scotland’s Garden Scheme for over 75 years. Winton is the longest supporter of this Scottish charity; to mark this milestone, we plan to create a new Winter Garden, which will provide colour and scents in the darker months of the year. We see this as a fitting tribute to the many gardeners, visitors and locals who have helped us raise money over the years.”

 

Open from 12.30pm – 4.30pm
Gardens and Estate £2.50 per person
House Tours £2.50/£1.50 Concessions

 

On Saturday 29th March, Winton House, a successful corporate hospitality venue, is offering visitors an opportunity to try their hand at clay pigeon shooting with Billy Gordon, 22 times Scottish clay champion (between 10am to 4pm). Pre-booking is required (£10 per person for 15 shots). Winton is also providing free falconry displays and bird handling from 12.30pm on Sunday 30th, as well as archery (£3 per person).

Scotland’s Garden Scheme was created as a registered charity in 1931 with the objective of raising funds for the Queens Nurses, a charity that supported community nurses in primary care. Today Scotland’s Garden Scheme organises the opening of some four hundred gardens to the public, ranging from castle gardens to groups of small village gardens. Today, Scotland’s Garden Scheme supports The Queens Nursing Institute, the Gardens Funds of The National Trust for Scotland and Maggie’s Centres, alongside a charity nominated by each private garden; Winton supports The Princess Trust for Carers.

 

Background for Editors

Winton House is an impressive stately home hidden in the heart of East Lothian countryside, only half an hour from the centre of Edinburgh. Winton is perfect for meetings, seminars, away days, dinners, activities and weddings. Visitors come from across the UK, Europe and the USA and include leading companies like Cisco Systems, Hartfield Life, ING, Royal London, Nokia, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Mercedes Benz, Microsoft, Scottish Widows, Barclays Bank, Toyota and PGA of America.

 

For further information please contact:

Morag Ramus on 01875 340 222 or morag@wintonhouse.co.uk
Winton House, Pencaitland, East Lothian, EH34 5AT
www.wintonhouse.co.uk