GARDENS

The School of Heritage Gardening offers a range of practical gardening courses. In 1961 Threave opened its doors to the first students. Over 50 years on, the School has grown and now offers dynamic new courses delivering professional gardener training to future custodians of heritage gardens. Students learn essential heritage and modern craft skills necessary to compliment the artistic and scientific knowledge gained in an academic course in horticulture. Placements are available at several National Trust for Scotland gardens across the country with differing specialisms such as in organic, woodland, plantsman and period gardens and many others.

New Courses!

In addition to our certificate course, we now offer two and four year diplomas. Part-time study options available. All courses begin in early September. To download further information, please click on NTS School of Heritage Gardening course information & application pack.

Our modern apprenticeships require no prior formal academic training as this is included within the training structure. Some of our studentships, apprenticeships and gardener trainee placements are run in partnership with other organisations. All studentships and apprenticeships are full-time and begin in early September.

To download further information, please click on the individual courses or apprenticeships below or view Information on Learning at the School of Heritage Gardening.

Studentship course application forms can be downloaded here. For apprenticeship application forms, please email shg@nts.org.uk

Voluntary Internships

Internships are available at many gardens across the Trust. Please contact the School of Heritage Gardening for further information or click on the link above for general information.

China Partnership

The NTS currently has an exchange programme with the Lushan Botanical Gardens in China whereby exchange visits are organised for NTS and Lushan staff to visit each other’s gardens and gain valuable work experience in a different cultural context. Places are available only to NTS garden staff and volunteers who may apply internally for an opportunity to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Garden History – Informing Conservation and Management

Would you like to learn more about Garden History? If so, then why not join us on a journey of discovery? Click here to find out more.

Gardening Jobs - Join Us

The National Trust for Scotland welcomes applications from suitably qualified and experienced horticulturists for its garden staff vacancies; these are listed on our vacancies page and usually within the horticultural trades press. For information on volunteering opportunities in our gardens please visit our volunteers section.