Nick Hoskins, who retired last February from his position as Head Gardener at the National Trust for Scotland’s Broughton House and Garden in Kirkcudbright, has been awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society.
The prestigious award is granted to horticulturists who have made a significant contribution to their profession.
In a career spanning fifty years in horticulture, most of it in Scotland, Nick was responsible for training and instructing young gardeners at Threave Garden and Estate; constructing the historically significant model 17th century garden at Culross Palace in Fife, and managing the fine garden at Broughton House in Kirkcudbright.
Horticulture has been Nick’s life since his school leaving days in the south of England in 1964, when he went straight into a gardening career. He continued his career with work in commercial nurseries in the Channel Islands and on Reading University gardens before moving to Scotland and taking up a post with the National Trust for Scotland at Threave in 1989. He took over as Head Gardener at Culross Palace in 1992, moving to take charge of the garden at Broughton House and Garden in 1998. His work at Broughton House has been admired by gardeners and other visitors from around the world, and has helped the property to earn its 4 star visitor attraction status and TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
Nick’s relaxed and cheerful but assertive manner made him popular with visitors and other gardeners alike, and his willingness to share his lifetime of knowledge were invaluable to the success of the gardens with which he has been associated. He has continued to share his professional knowledge in retirement as a volunteer at Threave Garden.
Robert Grant, Head of Gardens and Designed Landscapes at the National Trust for Scotland said when Nick was nominated for the award: “Nick Hoskins is a knowledgeable plantsman, a creative garden designer and has been a valued colleague – I can think of few gardeners more deserving of recognition for service to horticulture in Scotland.”
Nick’s award will be presented to him by the President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Pam Whittle at a special ceremony which will take place from 2pm at Broughton House and Garden on 23 March 2016. Friends and colleagues are welcome to attend.
