PRESS RELEASE 3.12.12
David Maclean (Head Gardener, Dunvegan Castle & Gardens)
Winner ‘Beyond the Call of Duty’ at Hudson’s Heritage Awards 2012
Announced at Goldsmith’s Hall, London on 29 November by Loyd Grossman and Lucinda Lambton, David MacLean graciously accepted the ‘Beyond the Call of Duty’ award at The Hudson’s Heritage Awards 2012.
THE PRESTIGIOUS HUDSON AWARDS RECOGNISES THE UK’S TOP HERITAGE ATTRACTIONS and their vital contribution to the UK tourism industry across 11 categories with only a select few short-listed in each category: http://hudsons-awards.co.uk/this-years-winners/
David MacLean said; ‘I am very honoured to receive this award for our garden on the Isle of Skye. It was exciting and a bit overwhelming. I would like to thank Hugh MacLeod, Janet Clarke, my great team at Dunvegan and the many years of dedication from my wife Rosemary as well.’
Hugh MacLeod, Estate Director said; ‘Janet Clarke, myself and the entire team at Dunvegan Castle & Gardens are thrilled that David’s impressive career in horticulture spanning some fifty three years has been recognised in this way. Having first met David when I was five years old when he worked for my father, my respect for the man and his green-fingered talents has grown ever since. Since succeeding my father in 2007, I have had the privilege of working closely with David on the major garden design and landscaping works at Dunvegan which is producing the desired wow factor for our 100,000 visitors each year. David MacLean is a profoundly modest man of exceptional ability and this award is thoroughly deserved.’
David MacLean was born in Aberfeldy in the 1940s. He trained as an apprentice with Percy Thrower at Shrewsbury Parks Department in the early 1960s and later as a student at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. His first job was with Lord Inchcape at Glenapp Castle Gardens, then with the Duke of Wellington at Stratfield Saye Park & Estate from where he was poached by John MacLeod of MacLeod in 1977 to become Head Gardener at Dunvegan Castle. In 1982 David was appointed Head Gardener at Crathes Castle Gardens (NTS) where he became a firm favourite of the late Queen Mother and was awarded the prestigious Scottish Horticultural Medal in 1995, returning to Dunvegan Castle & Gardens in 2001 where he now works for Hugh MacLeod, 30th Chief of Clan MacLeod.
Presenters of the 2012 Hudson’s Heritage Awards:
Loyd Grossman – in 2009 Loyd was appointed Chairman of the Heritage Alliance. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Loyd was appointed OBE in 2003 and was the presenter of Through the Keyhole and BBC Masterchef.
Lucinda Lambton – British writer, photographer and broadcaster, well known for her architectural commentary and a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines, including The Daily Telegraph, Country Life, The Times and The Daily Mail.
For more information, please contact:
Janet Clarke
Executive Director
MacLeod Estate
Dunvegan House
Dunvegan
Isle of Skye IV55 8WE
e: janet@dunvegancastle.com
