Wednesday September 17th 2025
A coastal wildflower bed North Berwick in Bloom improved
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
North Berwick in Bloom won three accolades, including the prestigious Rosebowl, at the prize-giving organised by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.
The ceremony took place online on Monday, 16 September, with 38 groups from across the country celebrated for their work improving their communities by engaging people of all ages in growing and planting activities and in tidying and cleaning up events.
Alongside the Rosebowl Trophy – which is given to the overall winner across all categories – North Berwick in Bloom also scooped the Coastal Town Award and the VisitScotland Award for Tourism.
Blooming Haddington won the Medium Town Award, the Horticultural Heritage Award and the David Welch Memorial Award for Something Special for their wheelbarrow and yarn bombing trail.
East Lothian Council was given the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Award for their support for Blooming Haddington and North Berwick in Bloom.
Dunbar in Bloom received a Certificate of Recognition.
East Lothian Provost John McMillan said: “My warmest congratulations go to all the volunteers whose hard work and commitment brightens our communities for everyone to enjoy.
“We appreciate everyone who has gone that extra mile to make East Lothian such a beautiful place to live.”
Barry Fisher, Chief Executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Congratulations to all of our East Lothian groups for their tremendous success at this year’s ceremony.
“Public polling soon to be published by Keep Scotland Beautiful has found that 66 per cent of people are embarrassed by levels of litter in their neighbourhood.”
“At a time where there is a lack of funding to support these groups and their efforts, their unwavering commitment to improve their neighbourhoods is an inspiration to us all. I’d like to congratulate every single person involved in our Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network for their fantastic contribution to keeping Scotland beautiful.”
Upon winning the award, North Berwick in Bloom’s Alex Hutchison said: “It’s still sinking in! Fantastic to have the Rosebowl once again and the other trophies. So much hard work throughout the entire year and good when it all comes together. And so good to live in this fantastic community where so many groups and individuals cooperate and help each other out ….and always with a willing hand and a smile.”
Keep Scotland Beautiful operates Beautiful Scotland in association with the Royal Horticultural Society.
Lewis Normand, President of The Royal Horticultural Society, said: “One of the great joys of being President of The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (The Caley) is to see the quality of professional horticulture and domestic gardening undertaken in Scotland.
“It was a pleasure to be able to judge some of the submissions for the Beautiful Scotland Awards and see the great work that businesses, local authorities and especially volunteer and community groups are doing throughout the country.”
Keep Scotland Beautiful’s volunteer judges visited during this year’s judging fortnight, which took place between 28 July and 10 August.
This year there were a total of 15 discretionary awards alongside nine category awards. All 38 entrants received a certificate, with 10 winning Gold, six winning a Silver Gilt, and 22 receiving a Certificate of Recognition, including three for representing Scotland in the UK Britain in Bloom finals.
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