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Scottish Autumn Show and Plant Fair Saturday, 26 September, 2026 (10 am until 3.30 pm) Howden Park Centre, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6BW
The Livingston show has quickly established itself as a highly anticipated autumn event in the Club's annual calendar, attracting members and increasing numbers of the general public. In addition to a traditional competitive show, we have a remarkable array of nurseries, and a series of engaging talks. Attendees can also explore a variety of displays and information stands from gardening clubs and societies, catering to both passionate alpine gardeners and those with a broader interest in gardening and plants.
Programme of Talks
10–10.30 am Restoring a Rockery with Stan da Prato
Stan da Prato is one of Scotland's best known gardeners, renowned for his tireless support of the SRGC, the Caley and countless local gardening clubs and societies. A passionate advocate for the benefits of community gardening, Stan brings a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, humour, and practical insight to this talk on restoring a public rock garden in North Berwick with intriguing links to the history of rock gardening in Scotland.
12–12.30 pm The Rock Garden with Anton Edwards
Anton Edwards serves as the Editor of the club’s journal, The Rock Garden, a role he has held for many years with, seemingly, unwavering enthusiasm. Together with his wife Margaret, he has cultivated a splendid rock, woodland, and bulb garden in Caputh, Perthshire, testament to their shared passion for horticulture and natural beauty. Anton is a noted public speaker and raconteur, guaranteed to captivate his audience with wit and charm, leaving everyone both informed and thoroughly entertained with stories as rich and varied as the articles within the journal or the plants within his garden.
2–2.30 pm Bulbs, Bulbs, Bulbs with Elspeth Mackintosh
Elspeth Mackintosh, former Senior Horticulturist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), was the driving force behind the Alpine Department. She expertly managed the stunning public display areas, curated the extensive rock and alpine plant collections, and oversaw the propagation facilities that brought these plants to life. In this talk, Elspeth draws on her extensive hands-on experience to share her most practical and insightful advice on cultivating bulbous plants—offering tips that are sure to inspire both novice gardeners and seasoned green thumbs alike.
Show Programme
The schedule of classes can be downloaded here. As well as the usual classes for Rock Garden Club members, we have a separate section (V) where we invite and encourage members of the general public to enter alpine and related plants in the show. Please see section V of the schedule above and the special instructions here.
8–9.15am Show hall open for staging of plants.
9.30–11am Show closed for Judging.
11am (approx) Show open to the public
3.15pm Presentation of Prizes
3.30pm Show closes
Information stands NurseriesPlants and bulbs can be purchased at the event, starting from 10am. Plants can also can be pre-ordered from the nurseries for collection at the event. The following will be in attendance: • Bute Cactus Co., Argyll & Bute • Hartside Nursery, Alston, Cumbria • MacPlants, Pencaitland, East Lothian • Pottertons Nursery, Nettleton, Lincolnshire • Tinnisburn Plants, Canonbie, Dumfries & Galloway There will also be a club plant stall. Members are invited to bring their spare 'bulbs', plants and seedlings for sale. These can be on a
50:50 basis with you retaining half the proceeds and the other half
donated to help pay for the cost of running this event.
Refreshments
There is a Bistro selling teas/coffees, cakes and light lunches as well as a separate licensed bar. There is ample formal and informal seating at the venue.
The venue is fully accessible. Wifi is available in all public areas.
How to get to the Howden Park Centre
For Satnav use EH54 6BW and follow brown ‘Howden Park Centre’ tourist sign.
From Glasgow or Edinburgh exit M8 at Junction 3; follow A899 dual carriageway towards Livingston centre; take the Almondvale exit (Howden, Craigshill South), then 2nd exit at roundabout. At traffic lights beneath dual carriageway turn left and follow brown road signs to Howden Park Centre.
Alternative route from south-west via A701, A71 to A899, exiting at Almondvale slip road. Free car parking is available at the venue on Saturday and Sundays (charges apply during weekdays).
By bus: 10 minute sign-posted walk from Livingston bus station.
By train: alight at Livingston North and follow the walking route (1.5 miles) signposted to Town Centre/Hospital (which is next door to the venue) or take First Bus Service 26/26a (every 15-30 minutes) to Hospital, or alternatively take a taxi (@£4-6).
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Autumn show bench 2024.
A selection of cyclamen from our joint show in Hexham in 2022.
Gentians from the Scottish Autumn show in 2022. Such plants were the backbone of our autumn shows in the past; sadly fewer are shown today.
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