Things to See & Do this Autumn!

The summer holidays might have come to an end, but there’s plenty to look forward to at the Garden, with lots to see and do this autumn.

As a Friend, standard admission is free of charge, so make sure to visit and experience the change of season. The garden has a diverse collection of trees and shrubs, and autumn is the perfect time to see all the different shades of colour - from golden yellow Liriodendron , to fiery red Acer and the coppery tones of Quercus rubra . It’s also a great time to spot our Garden wildlife, keep an eye out for red squirrels harvesting and caching nuts and seeds for the winter, and teeny goldcrests looking for insects in the trees around the pond.

Your membership also means you can enjoy many of our events, trails and exhibitions for free – and we’ve got a busy calendar of special events planned, with something for all our Friends and visitors to enjoy.

Our team are excited to share our plans for our Harvest Celebration Day on Saturday 30th September, celebrating the arrival of the new season and autumn produce an action-packed day of autumn activities, talks and tours, and local food & drink! Take part in seasonal nature and wildlife activities with our Nature Engagers at stations around the Garden, and meet other local organisations who are celebrating Fife’s nature and food & drink. We’ll also be showcasing our work this year, with talks and tours exploring our new Biodiversity Plan, and the opportunity to see what our Planting For Your Piece group have been up to in our Community Garden. Best of all, this event will be free for Friends – come along to meet other Friends and supporters and have a brilliant family day out!

On Sunday 8th October, we’ll be joined by Scotland’s Garden Scheme (SGS) for their Fife Autumn Plant Sale, which is returning to the Garden for a third year. SGS will be offering a fabulous selection of locally grown bare root and potted plants as well as an exciting selection of local stall holders and other activities.

We’re looking forward to sharing new workshops too – learn more about the natural world with two free workshops as part of DAISY Friday on 8th October! Discover the mosses found at the Garden with a guided moss walk from Alison Davies, then join the Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group & Fife Red Squirrel group for super squirrel activities as part of the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey. And, if you’re inspired to learn even more about mosses, you can join our series of Moss & Bryophyte ID Workshops, running for 3 weeks from Friday 3rd November.

We’re looking forward to welcoming our Friends to back to our Walks with our Team too. From Wednesday 16th August, Friends will be able to join us on the third Wednesday of each month for a free guided walk from a member of our team - sharing current developments and upcoming plans for the Garden.

For families with little ones, there’s still time to check out our “Know Your Nature” Trail together - earn your Know Your Nature badge while learning about plants and wildlife around the Garden! Our Tuesday Little Oaks Early Years Group is back after the summer break too, with outdoor activities, song, stories and crafts for under 5s and their families. Plus, there are more opportunities to take part in our Little Oaks Dads Days, with Little Oaks sessions specifically designed for Dads taking place on the first Saturday of each month – join us to meet other Dads with young children and enjoy spending time outdoors with your little ones.

Finally, don’t miss “Gathering Surface”, a series of sculptural pieces developed by local artist Dan Drage, available to view every day from our Poplar Glade down to the Meadow. Make sure to check it out during your next visit to the Garden!

Don’t forget that you can view all out upcoming events, and book your place, anytime here