St Mary's Pleasance - Historic Wall Restoration

Aim

St Mary's Pleasance is a 17th century Scottish Garden in Haddington. The boundary wall was destroyed in a storm and needs restoration now.

The lovely historic walled garden of St Mary's Pleasance is a place of peace and beauty in the heart of the market town of Haddington, East Lothian. A few years ago, a storm destroyed a substantial part of the boundary wall, which is now in urgent need of repair. The damage is unsightly and had to be fenced off for safety reasons,  preventing visitor access to part of the popular wild meadow area near the orchard. This Appeal to the wider community for support will complete the ambitious restoration programme ensuring that visitors have full access to the entire space again, which includes a sunken parterre garden of lavender, an apple house, alleyways of laburnum and hornbeam and a wide central lawn where children run and play. 

Karen Stevenson, chair of Haddington Garden Trust says: "Please give a little to help us repair the damage so that we can continue to welcome over 10,000 people every year to appreciate the beauty and peace of this special place."

Haddington Garden Trust, which owns and manages the garden, has embarked on the rebuild and restoration work jointly with East Lothian Council. The council co-owns the wall and has contributed 50% of the £65,000 project costs and awarded the Trust a further £15,000 from the Scottish Government's Place Based Investment Programme, which it administers. However, the charity has a shortfall of £17,000 to find to cover its contribution towards the skills of traditional stonemasonry required.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 7th September 2026 at 10:00am