A Timeline of the Two Hundred Year History of the Society

1809 Caledonian Horticultural Society founded. Patrick Neill Joint Secretary

1810 Andrew Duncan a Vice- President, establishment of a garden first proposed

1814 Publication of Memoirs commenced, continued until 1829

1816 Seal of Cause procured from City of Edinburgh

1817 Deputation sent to Flanders gaining ideas for proposed garden

1822 Garden established on 10 acres of leased land at Inverleith

1824 First Royal Charter

1826 Gardener’s House and Committee rooms finished at Inverleith (now East Gate Lodge)

1836 James McNab appointed Superintendent/ Curator. Ladies admitted as members

1838  Royal Patronage agreed

1843 Completion of Exhibition Hall (now Caledonian Hall)

1848 Construction of glasshouse known as the Winter Garden (site of Rock Garden in Royal Botanic Garden)

1850 Purchased shares in Oregon Expedition

1851 Death of Patrick Neill whose bequest inaugurated Neill Medal. Certificate of Merit instigated

1856 Years of over-ambitious schemes result in financial doldrums

1864 Garden was taken over by Government and became part of RBGE

1865 Amalgamated with Edinburgh Horticultural Society

1878 Spring Show at New Waverley Market (show venue for about 80 years)

1898 Second Royal Charter

1905 Publication of Memoirs recommenced (2 volumes only to 1908)

1909 Centenary

1920  Amalgamated with Scottish Horticultural Association

1922 Publication of Transactions commenced (until 1939)

1925 Great International Show in Industrial Hall (later Edinburgh Central Bus Garage)

1939 Shows suspended until 1947; publications restricted to schedules

1950 Publication of Journal / Yearbook (until 1994)

1959 150th Anniversary: inauguration of Scottish Horticultural Medal

1961 Autumn show in tent at Donaldson’s Hospital (Epstein Exhibition in Waverley Market)

1963 Tour to Dutch Bulb Fields

1973 Main shows moved to Corn Exchange, Gorgie, due to demolition of  Waverley Market

1978 Shows moved to Meadowbank Stadium concourse

1984 Collaboration with City Council in reconstructing Saughton Winter Garden

1986 Saughton May plant sales commenced

1987 Preview launched (on-going)

1990 Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother medal honoured patron’s 90th birthday (on-going)

1995 Journal renamed Caledonian Gardener (on-going)

1996 Financial problems eased by Christison bequest (£25,000)

2000 Spring Show returned to Caledonian Hall. First Gardening Scotland Show at Ingliston

2001 Supported formation of Scottish Gardeners’ Forum

2002 Princess Royal became Patron, Dr Andrew Duncan Medal inaugurated

2006 RCHS Organic Demonstration Allotment at Bridgend opened

2007 Third Royal Charter.  Tour to Paris

2009 Bicentenary celebrated with receptions, floral clocks, and a grand dinner