Fresh start for Bryony at Achamore Gardens
The new head gardener at Gigha’s Achamore Gardens is getting stuck in, despite starting her new job during an unprecedented global pandemic.
Following a nationwide search, Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust (IGHT) appointed Bryony White to the role.
Taking stock after moving to Gigha and having been in post for four weeks Bryony said: ‘It’s been a really exciting time for myself and my husband Graham. Moving from Renfrewshire to Gigha just before the lockdown started, getting the house in order, starting a new job, discovering this beautiful island and starting to make new friends has been daunting but enjoyable.
‘We have been made to feel really welcome on the island. Everyone is really interested in what is happening in the gardens, even though they remain closed for the time being.’
Bryony has a background in managing and developing community gardens and before this, she was a countryside ranger.
‘All skills that will stand me in good stead on Gigha,’ she said. ‘There is so much going on which is exciting for the future of the island.’
Bryony has outlined her immediate priorities for the gardens: Getting to know the gardens – ‘Achamore is already beginning to share its secrets, but there is a huge amount to discover over the coming year,’ she said. ‘I am working remotely with staff from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh to catalogue the plant collection which will help us understand what we have and decide what we need to prioritise in the coming years.’
Helping the walled garden look as good as possible for when our visitors can return – ‘Lots of pruning, weeding and tidying required,’ said Bryony. ‘There are some magnificent plants here and I hope we can show them off in all their glory.’
Creating a development plan – ‘To give us something to aim for over the coming years and focus our restoration efforts where they are most needed,’ said Bryony. ‘I am also coming up with ideas including creating new paths and features.’
She added: ‘And, of course, once lockdown is lifted, getting to meet the community and learn what they would like to see in the gardens. As a community-owned resource, their input will be vital to Achamore’s restoration and future development.
‘Although the gardens are closed, we are working hard to get them ready for whenever we can reopen and are looking forward to welcoming old and new friends. We hope visitors will notice a difference.
‘We will be looking for volunteers to help us with projects when we can do so safely so please get in touch with the IGHT office if you think you might have time over the summer to help.’
Thriving in Gigha’s warm microclimate, Achamore Gardens’ 54 acres host notable and unusual plants and trees from around the world.
To register an interest in volunteering, email gardens@ gigha.org.uk