AN award-winning sensory garden designed by an Edinburgh resident has been relocated back to the capital after it was installed in England.
The Drakkar’s Drift garden was designed by Leith resident Luke Coleman and was on display at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show, in Wentworth Woodhouse, South Yorkshire, last month.
The garden, inspired by the history of the Scottish Isles and its connections with the Vikings, won a gold medal, the RHS Young Designer of the Year, the People’s Choice and the Best Construction award at the show.
It will be installed on the site of one of two disused bowling greens returned to the council by Edinburgh Leisure in 2023 in Victoria Park.
The garden has been dismantled and transported back to Edinburgh and will be expanded to meet the needs of its new home.
Coleman (below) said the garden is about community and is “incredibly grateful” for all those who have supported the fundraiser, which has a target of £50,000, to set up and rebuild the garden in the city.
He said: “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.”
Coleman’s eco-friendly garden is designed so that it “harmonises with nature” and is curated so that communities and ecosystems can thrive together.
Since the design of the garden began, he has envisioned that it would return to Edinburgh for residents to enjoy.
Drakkar’s Drift includes four mature trees, 1500 herbaceous perennials, 13.5 tonnes of mossy boulders and living sculptures that help support biodiversity.
The garden draws inspiration from the basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa – an interest sparked by a 2023 trip that led Luke to deeper research into the island’s history.
The Norse word Drakkar refers to Viking ships displaying a dragon head at their front and serves as a reminder of the Vikings' arrival in the northern Scottish isles more than a thousand years ago.
Councillor Margaret Graham 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.”
You can click here to donate to the fundraiser and learn more about the garden.
