Grampian & Tayside

Grampian and Tayside is the northernmost NCCPG group in the UK, with members from Fife up to the Forres.

Most of the group activities are centred around the area between Perth and Forfar. Throughout the summer there are visits to interesting gardens, practical workshops and social occasions.

National collections in the area include:Dr. Evelyn Stevens' Meconopsis at The Linns, Sheriffmuir; Galanthus at Cambo in Fife; Bob Mitchell's Paeonia at Elie in Fife; Cassiope at NTS Branklyn Garden, Perth, who also have provisional status for the Mylnefield Lily collection. These lilies were bred by Dr. Christopher North at the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Invergowrie. Five Rhododendron collections are held by the Cox family at Glendoick.

Some years ago Grampian and Tayside Group established a collection of the Ben Helianthemums, which were raised by John Nicol in Monifieth in the 1920's and named after Scottish mountains. Fourteen of the seventeen known varieties were obtained and planted at the NTS property, Barry Mill, not far from Monifieth. The group are anxious to obtain plants of Ben Lui, Ben Vorlich and Ben Venue which have proved elusive.