East Lothian groups were honoured for their brilliant efforts in connecting people with a healthier and more resilient environment at the annual Beautiful Scotland awards.
North Berwick in Bloom won three accolades, including the prestigious Rosebowl, at the prize-giving organised by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.
The ceremony took place online on Monday, 16 September, with 38 groups from across the country celebrated for their work improving their communities by engaging people of all ages in growing and planting activities and in tidying and cleaning up events.
Alongside the Rosebowl Trophy - which is given to the overall winner across all categories - North Berwick in Bloom also scooped the Coastal Town Award and the VisitScotland Award for Tourism.
Blooming Haddington won the Medium Town Award, the Horticultural Heritage Award and the David Welch Memorial Award for Something Special for their wheelbarrow and yarn bombing trail.
East Lothian Council was given the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Award for their support for Blooming Haddington and North Berwick in Bloom.
Dunbar in Bloom received a Certificate of Recognition.
Dedication and enthusiasm
East Lothian Provost John McMillan said: “My warmest congratulations go to all the volunteers whose hard work and commitment brightens our communities for everyone to enjoy. I’m so pleased their efforts have been recognised by this array of well-deserved awards.
“I’m also proud of the council staff in our Amenity Services team whose dedication and enthusiasm throughout the year contributes so much towards keeping our towns and villages looking their best.
“We appreciate everyone who has gone that extra mile to make East Lothian such a beautiful place to live.”
Barry Fisher, Chief Executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Congratulations to all of our East Lothian groups for their tremendous success at this year’s ceremony.
“Public polling soon to be published by Keep Scotland Beautiful has found that 66 per cent of people are embarrassed by levels of litter in their neighbourhood.
Work tirelessly
“Thankfully, a brilliant network of groups across the country work tirelessly to make their towns and villages clean, vibrant, appealing and nature friendly communities for all to enjoy and be proud of.”
Keep Scotland Beautiful operates Beautiful Scotland in association with the Royal Horticultural Society.
Lewis Normand, President of The Royal Horticultural Society, said: “One of the great joys of being President of The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (The Caley) is to see the quality of professional horticulture and domestic gardening undertaken in Scotland.
“It was a pleasure to be able to judge some of the submissions for the Beautiful Scotland Awards and see the great work that businesses, local authorities and especially volunteer and community groups are doing throughout the country.
Applaud their commitment
“The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Trophy is moving to represent not just great horticulture and gardening, but a sustainable approach to this work and it is pleasing to see how progressive groups are at this culture change we must all undertake. The most successful projects, in my opinion, are those where groups engage with one another, linking schools, other community groups, local authority and businesses to form a cohesive plan and deliver something everyone is responsible for and appreciative of.
“I believe that the 2025 winner of The Caley Trophy is a brilliant example of this. East Lothian Council have delivered in Haddington and North Berwick wonderful planting that is appropriate to site, interesting and dynamic. The work they have undertaken with the support of local community groups is climate conscious, bee and pollinator friendly, and altogether beautiful. I applaud their commitment to invest in horticulture and recognise its value in a community. I encourage you all to visit these wonderful towns and see for yourselves.”
Keep Scotland Beautiful’s volunteer judges visited during this year’s judging fortnight, which took place between 28 July and 10 August.
This year there were a total of 15 discretionary awards alongside nine category awards. All 38 entrants received a certificate, with 10 winning Gold, six winning a Silver Gilt, and 22 receiving a Certificate of Recognition, including three for representing Scotland in the UK Britain in Bloom finals.