Holyrood Palace Physic Garden and Cowden Japanese Gardens visits

During October, Kindred staff had the privilege of visiting The Palace of Holyroodhouse Physic Garden and Cowden Japanese Gardens with some of the Kindred families alongside photographer Malcolm Cochrane who took stunning end sometimes emotive shots of our families.

Everyone enjoyed the amazing gardens, each different but equally spectacular.

As well as our families loving the beauty and history of the gardens and having a fab family day out, they also were there allowing us to create a photo bank of pictures capturing their day.  Our thanks go to professional photographer Malcolm Cochrane for taking such memorable photos. 

Our thanks go to Fiona Johnston, Community and Access Programme Co-ordinator, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Royal Collection Trust for arranging the visit, with great accessible information, allowing us to enjoy a visit the palace classroom for activities with the children and guiding us through the garden and the amazing history of the Palace. We all enjoyed the Palace tearoom and can testify to the lovely scones and tea, so if you visit the gardens, don’t forget the café!

Above: the Pang family enjoying sights, sounds and smells of the Holyroodhouse Physic Garden.

We’d like to thank Nicola Dibley, Education & Outreach Officer at Japanese Garden, Cowden (near Dollar) and the staff at the visitor centre there for looking after everyone so well when we visited. It was a busy day with 5 families visiting in timeslots throughout the day. It was a joy to see everyone having fun, and agreeing it was definitely worth a return visit. With lots of accessible paths, a woodland walk, children’s play area and visitor centre, this hidden gem was enjoyed by all.

Most of all we would like to thank the Kindred families who allowed us to be part of their day!

Top, featured in banner: the Palmer family out and about in the stunning accessible Japanese Cowden Gardens.

Below: Malcolm Cochrane in action photographing families at Cowden.