About The Gardener’s Cottage
The Gardener’s Cottage is a small detached dwelling beside the main building. It was the original home for the Leng Family’s full-time gardener. The cottage hadn’t been inhabited for nearly two decades therefore was in need of repair and restoration.
Funding from Rural & Islands Ideas into Action Fund distributed by Inspiring Scotland kickstarted the renovation project in 2022. The project was led by craftspeople and artists Andy Slater and Andrew French. Some of the repairs and restoration included participatory learning experiences and workshops, teaching people trade and crafts skills. From repairing windows and glazing to fitting a new kitchen, participant learned the techniques and processes necessary to maintain their own homes. In partnership with Madras College, a group of four secondary school students worked with Andy and Andrew over a ten week period where they gained experience in trade skills.
Participating Artists
Led by Andy Slater and Andrew French, artists, makers, and craftspeople have dedicated time to renovating the cottage including; Henri Meadows, Mickey Mallett, Rosie Handley and Finlay Hall.
The project is funded by Scottish Government’s Rural and Islands Communities Ideas into Action Fund.
How to get involved
As part of this project we have hosted a series of free workshops demonstrating how to do basic home repairs, redecoration and restoration, from plastering to replacing a window pane.
Any activities of opportunities to support the The Gardener’s Cottage will be listed in our What’s On page under events and shared across our social media. If you’re keen to volunteer some time to help in the renovation please email us, info@forganartscentre.co.uk.
