A national award-winning sensory garden designed by a Leith resident is to be relocated from Yorkshire to Edinburgh’s Victoria Park.
The garden, designed by Luke Coleman and inspired by the history of the Scottish isles and its connection with the Vikings, will be installed at the site of one of two disused bowling greens.
Named Drakkar’s Drift, the garden was on display at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show in Wentworth, where it won a Gold Medal, RHS Young Designer of the Year, People’s Choice, and Best Construction awards.
The garden has been dismantled and transported back to Edinburgh thanks to £20,000 previously secured and a fundraising drive is now underway to raise the additional £30,000 needed to reconstruct and embed Drakkar’s Drift in Edinburgh as a public asset. This will include expanding the design of the garden to meet the needs of the site and introducing paths, seating, and other features.
Councillor Margaret Graham, of the City of Edinburgh Council, said, “Luke’s Gold Medal success is a celebration of local creativity meeting international horticultural excellence. Bringing Drakkar’s Drift to Edinburgh would enrich our parks and unite community, nature and culture. We’ve been listening to residents, many of whom told us they’d like to see sensory planting on the site of the park’s old bowling green.
“As well as bringing this beautiful garden to the site, this project would enhance and develop it for community use. I’d encourage anyone with an interest in the site to support the campaign if they can.”
Luke Coleman added, “It’s been a dream to bring Drakkar’s Drift to life at the RHS Show, and now, seeing it find a permanent home in Edinburgh is something truly special. This project is about more than design; it’s about community, connection, and creating a legacy. I’m incredibly grateful for the support so far, and I hope people will get behind the fundraiser to help us rebuild the garden for everyone to enjoy.”
