New Talent flourishes at Mount Stuart Gardens

With the world’s largest private art collection, Mount Stuart Trust has a worldwide reputation for teaching and research in the arts, working with Cambridge, Oxford and Harvard Universities.

‘We are working now to build the same reputation for the garden and designed landscape and we have an aspiration to develop a full programme of horticultural higher education and graduate training,’ says Don Murray, Head of Horticulture at Mount Stuart. The Trust is working with Argyll College UHI, a local education provider and an academic partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands. Don continues ‘We enjoy working with University of the Highlands and Islands and local partner Argyll College UHI, because of our island setting and the creative way they can deal with the challenges this presents.’’

The gardens are home to a spectacular living collection, with native and exotic flora, important botanical species and many national champion trees attracting over 45,000 visitors every year. First laid out by the 2nd Earl of Bute in the 18th century, the gardens were considerably expanded by the 3rd Earl, who is possibly better remembered as a prime minister and a the founder of Kew Gardens.

Don says ‘Education and learning is one of the key objectives of the trust; our motto is Purpose, People, Place, so the Modern Apprenticeship programme is a natural development. We are committed to continual development of the whole team and we are passionate about applying modern day best-practice to this amazing heritage environment.’

Nineteen year old Heidi McMillan, David Swan and Scott Clark, both 16, are the three lucky apprentices who will spend the next 18 months with the team at Mount Stuart. David and Scott both grew up on the island, while Heidi recently relocated to Bute with her family.

Scott, whose apprenticeship is funded with a training allowance by the Finnis Scott Foundation, wanted to join the army on leaving school until a week’s work experience with local company Bute Produce changed his mind and sowed the seeds of a career in horticulture. Scott says, ‘I really enjoyed working outside and was delighted when this Modern Apprenticeship was advertised as it meant that I could get a good qualification whilst still earning a wage.’’

You can find out more about Mount Stuart House and Gardens at www.mountstuart. com and if you are interested in Modern Apprenticeships you can visit www.argyll.uhi. ac.uk/study-with-us/ modern-apprenticeship/