Our media release on plans so far for StrathPetal 2026
The Ross-shire village of Strathpeffer is to hold a ‘Celebration of Gardening’ on 6 June, a return of its annual StrathPetal event but with a different format.
Pending a return of its full open garden weekend in 2027, organisers are planning a one-day event on 6 June 2026, based in the village’s splendid Victorian Pavilion.
Already in the programme is a grand Gardeners’ Question Time with Will Soos co-owner of a world-famous garden at Durnamuck, Wester Ross, and Pamela Sutherland, head gardener at Inverness Botanic Garden among those on the panel.
There will also be a presentation from The Scottish Dahlia Society, and demonstrations on how to propagate plants and on how to grow ‘happy plants’.
Among the stalls will be Highland Liliums from Kiltarlity; Poyntzfield Herb Nursery celebrating 50 years of growing and selling from their Black Isle base; the village’s own plant stall and garden bloggers The3Growbags selling garden tools and gifts, while Dingwall Beekeepers are going to tempt you with a selection of honey. There will also be monkey puzzle trees on sale as well as the chance to buy the trilogy of books on Strathpeffer’s history by Arthur Scott.
Those in need of a cuppa are assured some delicious home baking in a specially themed ‘Victorian tearoom’ while others might enjoy a pint in the Pavlion’s community bar.
A small number of gardens will be open in the centre of the village – most within earshot of the live music playing in the square.
“This is really a celebration of gardening” explained Alison Munro-White for the organisers, “We want to keep the momentum of our open garden weekends going, but also enable garden owners across Strathpeffer to take stock before opening their gorgeous gardens again in 2027. We hope people from far and wide who enjoy growing or just looking at gardens, will come to enjoy one another’s company, share experiences and get their questions answered by experts!”
Strathpeffer’s one-day event will be held on 6 June from 10 am– 4pm. Tickets are £5pp (under 12s free) and will be available on the day. Keep up to date with the programme at www.strathpetal.co.uk or follow StrathPetal on Facebook.
Well the sun shone and 500 people came along to StrathPetal 2025, the village’s Open Gardens Weekend in August.
All the gardening, baking, volunteering and singing paid off when projects in Strathpeffer received £2,500 in donations raised by the weekend and another £2,500 went to Alzheimer Scotland to support people affected by the disease and their families.
Team member Alison Munro-White explained: “We’ve handed £1500 to Strathpeffer Community Park project and have allocated £1000 to improving and maintaining the village’s public garden spaces. As well as raising money, our objective was to create a blooming good time for everyone. And thanks to all those who took part – plus the fantastic weather – it feels as though we met all those goals!”
Karen Patience from Alzheimer Scotland in Dingwall, said: “This is a wonderful donation and all the more so because it came from a community event. Alzheimer Disease impacts very much on an individual’s family and those families are often dependent on the support of their community, so this donation feels very heartfelt and is very much appreciated.”
And on behalf of Strathpeffer Community Park, Dave Genney responded: “This will be a great boost towards our next stage which is to provide a shelter for parents and young people when visiting the park. Funding from a community event like this is really important to us, so very many thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen.”
Former pharmacist and local historian Margaret Spark recalls aspects of the Strathpeffer's gardening past, some of which draw on information kindly provided by Arthur Scott, another knowledgeable local historian.
Dave Genney gives an update on the development of an ambitious community park in Strathpeffer in the Scottish Highlands. Last year the village's open garden weekend donated some of its proceeds to the project, and here Dave gives an overview of the park's progress, and explains why donations from events like StrathPetal are important.
Karen Patience describes the services that Alzheimer Scotland provides to people living in the Highlands and Islands, and how important local fundraising is to the organisation. Alzheimer Scotland is the national charity that will be supported by StrathPetal - Strathpeffer's Open Garden weeken
What an amazing weekend we had welcoming visitors to our gardens last June. Huge thanks to garden owners; volunteers, those who donated prizes, baking, plants, their musical ability, bus-driving skills, car-parking space, money, goodwill and TIME! We are just as thankful to our wonderful visitors who came in good weather and bad to make our first StrathPetal a really lovely event. See our short film. Thank you all!