Under ancient trees

Work continues on new terraces

A seat by the water's edge

A quiet corner

Down the steps

Buying plants

Guarding the valuables

The expert

Another keen gardener

Jan and Maya

Magnolia flowers

There's something down there!

Making butterflies

I like this garden!

Raffle tickets anyone?

Big Bear

Let sleeping dogs lie

A sit-down

Cashing up at the end of the day

The garden started life as a waste piece of ground, between Duddingston Kirk and the Loch. Over the years it had become a dumping place for all kinds of junk, it was overrun with weeds, and the soil was a thin layer over volcanic rock - not an ideal site. But some magnificent old Scots pines had survived, and fantastic views over the Loch. Over more than 20 years, Doctors Andrew and Nancy Neil transformed the derelict site into Edinburgh's secret garden. Now that they have both passed on, a trust keeps the work going on.

Renovation will also be carried out on the old tower, where Raeburn is said to have stored his painting materials while he was working on the portrait of the Skating Minister (see it in the Art Gallery at the Mound) Unless, of course, it was not painted by Raeburn at all.

The access road for this work will be used in future to allow easier disabled access to the garden.

One of the many seats strategically placed around the garden to sit and contemplate the views.

Steps lead up to a little lawn under the trees, with another seat from which to see the garden.

There are many changes in level from one area to the next. There is always another vista round a corner, or a secluded glade to explore.

Visitors around the plant stall. It is best to choose your plants before looking round the garden, or you miss the ones you want. Leave them at the plant creche to pick up on the way out.

While visitors stroll about the garden, Dean (or sometimes Neil) at the plant creche keeps an eye on the plants in his care. Safe as the Bank of England. But please don't ask him what the plants are, or how to look after them. That needs advanced training.

Jennifer is the one to ask if you don't know what you are buying. She used to work at the Botanic Garden, with her husband Paddy who had MS and knew all there was to know about orchids. Their friendship with the two Dr Neils was the link which started the tradition of the garden being opened once a year in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre.

Lesley has had connections with this event ever since the start. She is about to retire and spend ALL of her time in her own garden. David will have to make his own meals.

Two more plant sellers. Maya marries Dean in September. We all wish them both a long and happy life together.

This shrub was at its best this weekend.

Two intrepid visitors exploring the pool under the bridge .

The children's craft corner is always popular. This year the tent blew down, but creative work continued in the gardeners' shelter and out in the open. As usual, Heather and friends coped.

One of our younger visitors gets a ride from Dad. There is a lot of walking for short legs.

Ann M. selling raffle tickets. Son Neil was elsewhere when the photograph was taken, doing his bit for raffle sales.

My name is Bear and I work here. I LOVE it when visitors make a fuss of me. After all, I deserve it. I am BEAUTIFUL.

All this gardening is very tiring. Bear can do the chores and chat up the visitors, I shall just have a little kip.

There plenty of place to sit and rest the feet, and look at the flowers and views.

Some visitors may have been put off by the closed streets and traffic chaos caused on Saturday by the coincidence of the Assembly Garden Party and the Orange March, and the weather that day could have been a little warmer. However, they made up for it on Sunday, and over the two days we made a gross total of £1175.