Patrick Neill, 1776-1851: doyen of Scottish horticulture

149 Pages·2011·4.337 MB·English

by  Neill, Patrick, Robertson, Forbes W., Neill, Patrick

Patrick Neill

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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