Anonymous £500,000 donation grows historic East Lothian garden

The charity received the gift - one of the largest in its history - to support its Centenary Garden at Newhailes House near Musselburgh, East Lothian.

The garden will be marking NTS’s 100th birthday 2031 and will grow a ‘living legacy that connects people, nature, and history for generations to come” at Newhailes.

The garden is set to transform a derelict walled flower garden at the 17th Century property and will be created alongside a new visitor centre.

LDN Architects and Harris Bugg Studio are now developong the building and landscape designs, with the aim of breaking ground in spring 2027.

Stuart Maxwell, Regional Director for Edinburgh & East at the National Trust for Scotland, said: “The anonymous donation we received has bolstered the team and cemented the importance of the Centenary Garden and the desire of our community to support us in making it a reality. We have a long way to go but we’re off to a strong start.

“This will be far more than a beautiful green space. Designed with biodiversity at its heart, the Centenary Garden will restore habitats, showcase sustainable gardening, and provide a sanctuary for pollinators and wildlife.

“But it will also be a place for people, and we aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone coming to Newhailes.”

Mr Maxwell described NTS as “Scotland’s largest garden owner” which represented “almost every style of Scottish garden throughout history”

He added: “We are well placed to continue this legacy at Newhailes. We’ve taken the first steps in the project with the appointments of LDN Architects and Harris Bugg Studio to create our initial designs, and we hosted a consultation session with the community to ensure we are taking on their feedback and creating a place that is really for them.”

The conservation charity has set a target to raise another £1.6m to fund the overall ambition for the £4.77m project.

Newhailes House & Gardens is regarded for its Enlightenment heritage and natural setting.

It is home to 34 hectares of diverse landscape, from ancient woodlands to parklands, and features one of the last surviving early 18th-century planned landscapes in Scotland.

Ali MacLeod, Head of Fundraising at the National Trust for Scotland, said: "We are thrilled by the generosity of this donor, whose leadership has kicked off our fundraising campaign in the most remarkable way.

“Over the last few years, Newhailes has grown into a place at the heart of the local community, but it does not have facilities to host local groups or schools adequately. The Centenary Garden project is going to fill this need, as well as create a beautiful and dynamic garden that champions biodiversity, and our donor recognised the value it will bring to people in Musselburgh, the surrounding area, and many more visitors from farther afield.

“This is a major project that requires significant external funding, so we are inviting trusts, foundations, and individual supporters to partner with us in bringing this vision to life. Gifts of all sizes create a cumulative impact that is deeply meaningful and can be transformational. This support will help create a space that champions nature, education, wellbeing, and community engagement, while creating a legacy for the next 100 years."