We were thrilled to get 58 visitors to our open day with Scotland's Gardens Scheme, in aid of NA Advocacy, and visitors included a friend of the Advocacy, Dr Gordon Stewart, and his wife Alison. 

We had Alex's book on sale, plus lots of greeting cards with photographs of the garden's flowers.

This 2025 opening follows previous fundraisers that we ran almost 10 years ago for the  Advocacy and we're delighted to be able to support the organisation's work again. 

We're opening next on Friday/Saturday, 24/25 April 2026, 1pm - 5pm, admission £5.00. 

Come along, garden lovers, if you're near East Lothian! 

We're Mercat Cottage Garden, 1 The Cross, Pencaitland, East Lothian EH34 5DA. 

And there's more exciting news, BBC Gardeners' World Magazine just shortlisted it for Garden of the Year 2025! 

Will you vote for my garden? There are six gardens up for the People's Choice award, and only us in Scotland. The garden is listed as Sheila Averbuch, Edinburgh. 

How to vote: 

https://www.gardenersworld.com/news/gardens-of-the-year-competition-2025-peoples-choice-vote/

You may be asked to log in or you may just be able to scroll down the page. Tap on our garden and then tap 'choose'. 

Please share with garden-loving friends - voting closes 18 December! 

Note from editors: You can only vote once, so please support Sheila in winning the People's Choice award, it would be the perfect thank you for her tireless fundraising efforts for us!