SCOTLAND’S RURAL COLLEGE
Scotland’s Rural College offers a range of courses from NC level to Postgraduate in subjects ranging from Horticulture to Garden and Greenspace Design. Students learn at the Edinburgh campus in conjunction with the illustrious Royal Botanical Gardens as well as the stunning Glasgow Botanic Gardens in the city’s bohemian West End. With degrees awarded by the University of Glasgow, the institution sees many of its students go on to flourishing careers, with alumni including the
Gardeners' World presenter Frances Tophill. Often looking for a change of career path to develop a lingering passion into a lifelong ambition, students on SRUC Horticulture and Garden Design programmes come from a variety of backgrounds. Ewan McKorkindale, studying Horticulture at Glasgow Botanic Gardens, switched from a career as a structural engineer to follow his lifelong interest in plants, he says: “In recent years my appreciation for nature has grown and flourished, much like my plant collection. I enjoy reading about the care and conditions required to make each diverse plant thrive. The chance to gain practical, technical and scientific knowledge from experienced educators is the perfect introduction into the horticulture industry and is what motivated me to study with SRUC along with being at the Botanic Gardens, one of my favourite places, most days is a joy.”
After a career in the hospitality industry, the reasons for Krystina Andrlova’s decision to study Garden Design in Edinburgh are “Simple yet complex. In my eyes, garden design means creating a piece of art, that consists of pieces of life. Life process fascinates me, and I always wanted to create and help to protect the environment. I think garden design encompasses all of these and so much more.” Her plans after graduating are ambitious also, “I would like to get some work experience while studying and after graduation get a job in a GD/landscaping firm. Eventually, I would like to start my own business once I feel competent enough to do so.”
Students from both campuses get the opportunity to work on real-life client projects during their studies as well as trips to famous gardens, specialist conferences and the chance to enter national competitions with their peers, all adding to the overall experience of their time with Scotland’s Rural College.