Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society

The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (RCHS) is the national horticultural society of Scotland, and was founded in 1809.[1] Members include both amateur and professional, generalists, specialists and those who simply like gardens and gardening. The aim of the society is to inspire, encourage and support the science, art and practice of all types of horticulture in Scotland and to advance education in gardening and horticulture for everyone.

The current president is David Knott SHM and recent past presidents have included Pam Whittle CBE, George Anderson MBE SHM and Professor Fred T. Last. The first secretary was Dr. Andrew Duncan who was also involved with the formation of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The Princess Royal is the current patron of the RCHS.[2]

The society's secretary, Diane Burn is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the society. Previous secretaries include Alison Murison, Tom Mabbott, who received an MBE for services to Scottish Horticulture, John MacLennan, and Dr. John MacKay.

Each year the society presents a range of medals and awards that recognise an individual's contribution to Scottish horticulture. These include:

  • the Scottish Horticultural Medal SHM (the highest accolade and strictly limited to a maximum of 50)
  • the Andrew Duncan Medal (awarded for distinguished service by an educationalist, advisor or administrator)
  • the Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother Medal in Horticulture ( awarded for outstanding service by a non professional. Introduced in 1990 to mark the 90th birthday of the society's Patron who was the first recipient and an active member of the society)
  • the Dr Patrick Neill Medal, (a medal awarded to a Scottish botanist or cultivator. It is the award with the longest history having been established in Dr Patrick Neill's will in 1851.
  • Certificates of Merit (awards that acknowledge a wide range of service gardening and horticulture in Scotland).
  • the Carter-Patterson Memorial Medal (awarded to a high achieving horticulture student or apprentice).

It was a founding part in the establishment of 'Gardening Scotland'.and in the formation of the 'Scottish Gardeners Forum', organisations with which it continues to maintain strong links.

A core charitable aim of the society is to advance education in gardening and horticulture for the public benefit. In order to fulfil this aim the society

  • maintains a large demonstration allotment,
  • runs a horticultural award scheme called 'Grow and Learn', that recognises individual progress and achievement through experiential learning and personal development for people with complex learning needs or a learning disability.
  • offers a CD - Plant & Grow- which provides a year long programme of gardening activities for gardening with children
  • offers an innovative programme for Scottish gardeners (or would be gardeners) with an interest and commitment to the promotion of gardening skills and horticultural knowledge through volunteering - The Caledonian Master Gardener.

The society holds an annual Spring Show, currently held at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh at the end of March beginning of April. Publications include an annual quality journal focusing on horticulture in Scotland. The society is a key partner, along with City of Edinburgh Council in the re-development of Saughton Park, Edinburgh. The successful Heritage Lottery bid (2016) will secure a permanent office and meeting base for the society along with teaching and demonstration areas within the park.

See also

References
  1. Memoirs of the Caledonian Horticultural Society Neil & Company, London 1814, web reference retrieved 22 April 2011
  2. The Official Website of The British Monarchy, The Princess Royal, Charities and Patronages, Retrieved 22 April 2011


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