First Minister Visits Gardening Scotland (4 June 2010)

SCOTLAND'S First Minister, Alex Salmond, met gardeners and plant growers when he visited the first day of Gardening Scotland 2010.

Mr Salmond toured the Show, chatting with visitors in the Dobbies Floral Hall and seeing the stunning floral displays created by plant nurseries and by some of Scotland's local authorities.

The national gardening and outdoor living Show brings together almost 400 exhibitors including leading garden designers and some of the top plant growers in the UK.  It offers expert advice in The BBC Scotland Beechgrove Theatre and encourages children to get growing in The Pallet Garden Challenge which this year has attracted entries from schools across the country.

New this year is 'The Grow Your Own Mini Top' where visitors can learn about raising their own vegetables and cooking with local produce. It is being supported by EventScotland as part of a year-long celebration of Scotland's reputation as a land of food & drink.

Later in the day Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham  also visited the Show,  touring the Show Gardens and the Living Garden area which contains experts from more than 24 environmental organisations.

The Environment Minister said: "As a keen gardener myself it's been inspiring to see the huge range of displays at Gardening Scotland this year.

"The celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity 2010 in the Living Garden area will hopefully encourage gardeners to do one thing for Scotland's biodiversity and help protect and enhance our natural environment.  Experts are on hand to offer advice to the public on how we can all do our bit to help the environment, no matter how small our garden.

"It was also great to see the young people getting involved in the kitchen on wheels on the Cooking Bus.  As well as learning about healthy eating, they are also getting a better understanding of where their food comes from and how to make the best of local produce."

ENDS

Notes to editor:

Gardening Scotland 2010 runs from Friday, 4 June until  Sunday, 6 June at The Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh.

For further details please contact:

Agnes Stevenson
07766 742142
agnes@amethystmedia.co.uk

EventScotland is the national events agency.
EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world's leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland's international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors.

Gardening Scotland Photos