Members' Centres and
Friends' Groups
FRIENDS OF SUNTRAP EDINBURGH
The Friends of Suntrap Edinburgh is a little different from other Members' Centres and Support Groups in that it is open to the general public.
Suntrap was the home of George Boyd Anderson who selected the south facing site and started the garden in 1957. He was a great philanthropist, innovator and keen amateur gardener. Many of his novel and forward thinking ideas, particulalry the use of solar energy and insulation, were incorporated in the garden buildings. This is the reason why the name "Suntrap" was chosen. When Boyd Anderson died in 1972, his will bequeathed Suntrap to the National Trust for Scotland and Lothian Regional Council to provide a centre for amateur gardening and advice and to encourage horticultural education
Since 1984 Boyd Anderson's bequest has been carried out by the horticultural staff of Oatridge Agricultural College with the help of the Friends of Suntrap Edinburgh. In 2001 the garden became a Centre for Life Long Learning.
The Friends of Suntrap Edinburgh is a society of enthusiastic gardeners which was formed when the National Trust for Scotland handed the running of the garden to Lothian Regional Council's Education Department. The Friends support the work of the college and the garden and maintain an important link with the Trust as a local centre. They hold regular meetings at Suntrap, organise events, visit other gardens, help with Open days and act as hosts for visiting groups. From May to September the Friends man the garden on Sunday afternoons and are pleased to chat and answer questions.
Membership of Friends of Suntrap Edinburgh is open to National trust for Scotland Members and the general public. The annual subscription is currently £5.