Newbyres Community Garden

Working with our partners at the Gorebridge and District Environmental Group we undertook a major landscaping project at the Newbyres Castle site. We have created a pedestrian walkway through the site and commissioned a sign explaining the history of the Newbyres Castle.

Newbyres Castle Community Garden  project  was completed in May 2009. Two hectares of neglected scrub land in the centre of Gorebridge has been turned in to a vibrant community garden. Trees and shrubs were planted around the ruins of the Newbyres Castle. Public benches make a nice place for people to sit for a while and enjoy the tranquility of the site.

The project was undertaken by GCDT in association with Gorebridge and District Environmental Group. Children from Gorebridge primary school assisted in the planting. Newbyres Castle was built in the middle of the 16th Century by Michael Borthwick of Glengelt. In its heyday it was a substantial vaulted, tower house, surrounded by a courtyard, however, the walls of the castle were demolished by the Council for public safety in 1963. The ruinous remains are classed as an Ancient Monument by Historic Scotland.

The Trust would like to thank all contributors to this project  including Scottish Natural Heritage, WREN, Midlothian Council, BBC Breathing Places and Arniston Improvement Trust.

The Gallery