Patrick Neill, 1776-1851: doyen of Scottish horticulture PDF
Preview Patrick Neill, 1776-1851: doyen of Scottish horticulture
Patrick Neill PPPaaatttrrriiiccckkk NNNeeeiiillllll,,, 1776–1851: Doyen of Scottish Horticulture by Forbes W. Robertson Whitt les Publishing Published by Whittles Publishing Ltd., Dunbeath, Caithness, KW6 6EG, Scotland, UK www.whittlespublishing.com © 2011 Forbes W. Robertson All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publishers. ISBN 978-184995-032-9 Printed by Other books by the author Robertson, F. W. Early Scottish Gardeners and their Plants, 1650–1750. Tuckwell Press: Edinburgh, 2000. Robertson, F.W. & McKelvie, A. Scottish Rock Gardening in the Twentieth Century. Scottish Rock Garden Club, 2000. For Alastair, Colin and Fiona Patrick Neill was the first Secretary of the Society from its foundation in 1809. It remains in good heart with around 100 members from all round Scotland and indeed in England and further afield. “The Caley” provides leadership to Scottish horticulture: by co-founding and maintaining Gardening Scotland; by initiating and supporting the Scottish Gardeners’ Forum; by making prestigious awards in recognition of distinguished service to Scottish horticulture; and of course by providing activities and facilities to its membership. New members – whether established gardeners, complete beginners, or somewhere in between – will be very welcome. Contents Preface ................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgements ............................................................................. x 1 Perspectives and antecedents ......................................... 1 2 Th e Antiquary ...................................................................... 7 3 A Tour of the Orkney and Shetland Islands, 1804 .... 13 4 Nature Notes and Observations .................................... 52 5 Th e Wernerian and Caledonian Societies .................... 42 6 Scott ish Gardens and Orchards .................................... 52 7 Botanist and Plantsman ................................................. 67 8 A Continental Foray ....................................................... 82 9 Neill’s Friends ................................................................ 104 10 End of Story ................................................................... 129 Articles by the Author ................................................................... 131 Index ................................................................................................. 133 Preface Patrick Neill’s contribution to the development of horticulture and gardening in Scotland has not received the attention it deserves. During the first half of the 19th Century he played an important part in the life of different categories of society in Edinburgh, so it is at first surprising that he has not won greater recognition. There can be little doubt that this omission stems from the loss of his note-books, papers and correspondence which were last heard of about a century ago. So far all efforts to discover whether they still exist have failed. In the absence of such personal information it is impossible to construct a full and coherent account of his dealings with business associates, botanists, gardeners, nurserymen etc – the sort of information on which a biographer relies. Nevertheless, there is sufficient material in the public domain, unnoticed or forgotten, to establish his reputation as a significant figure in the annals of horticulture in Scotland. As the head of a leading firm of printers, Neill devolved the daily affairs of the business to an able and loyal manager (and eventual partner) leaving him free to pursue his interests in horticulture, gardening, natural history and antiquities. His botanist friends included some of the most eminent scientists of the day. The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society owed a great deal to his devoted service as secretary for some 40 years. His publications, which are models of careful reporting, are of considerable historical importance. Often providing a revealing picture of contemporary events and attitudes, they are the principal themes of the present account. Forbes W. Robertson, Edinburgh ix
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