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Home > About the Project > Patrons

Richard Baker MSP, Labour, North East Scotland
Mark Ballard, MSP Scottish Green Party, Lothians
"People have an instinctive love of the soil. In an urban environment gardening is a release from urban stresses and allows people to feel close to the earth and the natural world. The Calyx celebrates our soil and it's importance to us".
Prof Stephen Blackmore, FRSE Regius Keeper, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
"The Calyx will grow into a great garden, adding a new jewel to the outstanding wealth of wonderful gardens we are fortunate to have in Scotland. It will inspire young and old alike with the richness of nature and the joys of gardening."
Rhona Brankin, MSP Deputy Minister, Health & Community Care
"The Calyx project will make a significant contribution to Scotland's tourist industry; a particular area where the drive for quality and excellence is very important. It will present a first class image to visitors from the UK and around the world, as well as providing excellent economic benefits for the area, attracting visitors and providing real jobs. The additional benefits for education, by contributing to a greater awareness of the environment, and understanding of the natural world, will be felt by local children as well as those who will visit from all over Scotland."
Prof. Sir Kenneth Calman, - Vice Chancellor University of Durham
Dennis Canavan, Former MSP Independent, Falkirk West
Prof. Roger Crofts CBE, Ex Chief Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage
"Gardens are as close as most of us get to nature. The more we know and understand how we can contribute to caring for an environment through gardening the better. The Calyx gives us all a unique opportunity to learn about and enjoy gardens and gardening."
Roseanna Cunningham MSP, - SNP, Perth
Susan Deacon, MSP, Edinburgh East & Musselburgh
"The Calyx is an exciting initiative which has the potential to become a real asset for Scotland".
John Denholm, Chairman, The Leith Advertising Agency
Brian Donohoe, MP All-party Gardening & Horticultural Group
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP Conservative, Lothians
Bill Duncan, Past President - Perthshire Chamber of Commerce
"Perthshire is already known for its gardens and natural beauty. The Calyx will become the perfect starting point for visitors to discover the gardens of Scotland. The Calyx is just what Perthshire needs,a destination attraction providing numerous benefits and real jobs."
Dr Alison Elliot OBE Former Mod. Gen. Assembly, The Church of Scotland
"The Calyx promises to add colour, tranquillity, engagement and knowledge to life and wellbeing in Scotland. It's an exciting venture and I look forward to its coming on stream."
Annabel Ewing
Richard Findlay, Former Chief Executive, Scottish Radio Holdings
Diarmuid Gavin, Designer
"The Calyx will be a marvellous focal point for all things horticultural. To have something exciting and colourful like this all year round will be wonderful for gardeners and non-gardeners alike."
Evelyn Glennie OBE, Musician
"This is a wonderful project which will have all sorts of benefits to Scotland and the wider community. The educational aspects interest me greatly as anything that increases understanding of the natural world and its landscapes must be a good thing."
Donald Gorrie, MSP Scottish Liberal Democrats, Central Scotland
Nigel Griffiths MP, Former Deputy Leader of the House of Commons
David Gwyther, CBE, FRSA Director General, Horticultural Trades Association
"The entire UK garden and horticultural industry, whom this Association represents, is pleased to give its full support to The Calyx. We recognise its importance as an exemplar of the best standards in horticulture - of plants, of plant care and of landscaping. We are also pleased that The Calyx endorses the fundamentally important role which plants have to play in contributing to our environment and to personal health and well being. We also recognise that the business standards being set by The Calyx will ensure that it becomes a magnificent attraction for tourism in Scotland and a substantial contributor, both directly and indirectly to the Scottish economy. We should like to wish it every success in the future and confirm our ongoing support for this most valuable venture."
Robin Harper, MSP Green Party, Lothians
"Perthshire is the ideal setting for this exciting project, which should attract interest throughout the UK. It will certainly bring added value to my regular visits to this part of Scotland".
Ian Hudghton MEP SNP, Greens/European Free Alliance
"This is a superb project for Perth and Scotland in an area already known for its gardens and natural beauty. The Calyx will be the perfect starting point for visitors to discover the gardens of Scotland, and I look forward to its opening with great anticipation".
Brig. Melville Jamieson CBE DL Chief Exec. & Producer, Edinburgh Military Tatoo
Cathy Jamieson, MSP Labour, Former Minister of Justice
"There is a strong and rarely acknowledged link between gardening and horticulture, and the arts. The Calyx offers the opportunity to recognise this bond and encourage people of all ages to learn about and enjoy Scotland's wildlife and natural environment".
Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy MP, Liberal Democrat Party
"Scotland must strive for quality and excellence in all areas, particularly in tourism. The Calyx will present a first class image to visitors from the UK and around the world."
Mark Lazarowicz, MP Edinburgh North & Leith
Peter Lederer, CBE MD Gleneagles Hotel / Chairman Visitscotland
"I am delighted to support the Calyx. Innovative projects like this bring benefits to tourism, the environment, the economy and the local community. The Calyx will further enhance Perthshire and Scotland's reputation for quality and as a centre of excellence"
Baroness Veronica Linklater, Trustee of Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive, First Group plc
"I am sure it will prove a great attraction to visitors from home and overseas as a centre of excellence on several levels."
Kenny MacAskill, MSP SNP, Lothians
Prof. Sir Neil MacCormick, QC
"Scotland's gardens are among its particular glories, and gardening remains the favourite outdoor activity of most Scots. The Calyx will give glorious inspiration to visitors from all the parts, at home and abroad"
Donald Macdonald, Executive Chairman - Macdonald Hotels
"Visiting a garden can be an uplifting experience, visiting The Calyx will be so much more. The project promises to be exciting and colourful all year round."
Kenneth MacIntosh, MSP Labour, Eastwood
Sally Magnusson, Broadcaster
John Markland, Chairman, Scottish Natural Heritage
Prof. Ian Marrian, Former Chief Exec. Inst. of Chartered Accountants
"I have long thought that Scotland needed a lay person's focal point for all matters horticulture. The chosen site is ideally placed and I believe will soon become that focal point for Scottish excellence in horticulture to be enjoyed by Scots and others alike".
Jim Mather, MSP, SNP, Highlands and Islands
Jim McFarlane, Chief Exec. Scottish Enterprise, Edin & Lothians
David McLetchie, MSP
"I am delighted to support the Calyx Project. Scotland has some beautiful gardens and the Calyx will be a showcase for the creative skills of our gardeners, an education centre and a major visitor attraction. Scotland is blooming at the Calyx."
Bruce Minto, Managing Partner, Dickson Minto
Sir David Montgomery Bt, Lord Lieutenant of Perthshire
Alex Neil, MSP SNP, Central Scotland
Angus M Pelham Burn, LLD,JP, LD
"This clever concept is to be highly commended for educational and enjoyment purposes. Being situated in the centre of Scotland with easy access to major tourist routes it can only be a success. A great many people will greatly appreciate The Calyx for generations to come".
Rosamunde Pilcher, Author
Mike Pringle, MSP Scottish Liberal Democrats, Edinburgh South
Professor Paul Read, Assoc. Head, Life Sciences, Napier University
Philip Riddle, Chief Executive, Visitscotland
Lord Donald Ross, Lord Justice Clerk & President of Court of Session
Ian M Russell, Former Chief Executive, Scottish Power
"Scottish Power prizes learning and sustainability above all. The Calyx is a wonderful example of both and a valuable asset for future generations of Scots."
Professor Sir John Shaw CBE, Former Governor of The Bank of Scotland
Lord David Steel of Aikwood, Presiding Officer, Scottish Parliament
Struan Stevenson, MEP, Scottish Conservative European Parliament
Jamie Stone, MSP Scottish Liberal Democrats, Caithness, Sutherland
"A keen gardener myself, I know just how important gardens and gardening are - they feed the flower of human happiness. This is why I wholeheartedly support Calyx - it is a wonderful project."
Nicola Sturgeon, MSP SNP, Glasgow
John Thurso, MP, Liberal Democrat, Former Shadow Secretary
Alan Titchmarsh, MBE. VMH, Broadcaster and Gardener
"A great way to raise awareness of Scotland's formidable gardening heritage as well as its vital commitment to the future of gardens and horticulture".
Dr Jean Turner, MSP, Independant Strathkelvin and Bearsden
"The Calyx is a wonderful, refreshing idea and will be a terrific showcase for Scotland. It has great vision in that as a visitor attraction it will contain elements to suit all ages and skills - from the young to the old, from the experienced gardener to the reluctant gardener. Mohandas K. Gandhi said, "to forget how to dig the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves" and I believe that the Calyx project will encourage many people to find happiness and contentment and they will celebrate in the absolute joy of gardening. I would hope that the Calyx will encourage healthy living and teach people how to grow and cook Scotland's wonderful home produce".
John Vine, Chief Constable, Tayside Police
"The Calyx project is a most imaginative idea and I am sure that it will bring prosperity to both Perthshire and Scotland".
Judy Wagner, Director, Finlayson Wagner & Black
David C Watt Director, Institute of Directors Scotland
"The Institute of Directors Scotland is strongly supportive of the Calyx,Scotland's Garden showcase. We feel this project offers a massive benefit to the corporate and public life of Scotland. It combines direct business opportunities for the horticultural and tourism industries, while highlighting the environment and the quality of life which helps make Scotland a first rate place to live and to do business."
Hon. Lord Wheatley, QC. BL Senator, College of Justice
Rt. Hon. Brian Wilson, Former Minister
"The Calyx is a first rate project for Scotland, centrally located and devoted to activities of massive popular interest".
Ruth Wishart, Journalist


 

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