My early recollection of Scotland was as a child seeing the
name on the top of a map of the island on which I was born. I
was later intrigued by articles that I read, by the description
of the moors and Highlands contained in R. L. Stevenson’s
novel “Kidnapped” which has always remained in my memory.
When I left school to start my working life my first boss was
a Scot, a lively man who had served in a Black Watch brigade in
the first world war so had seen life in the raw. He had a profound
influence on me. It was however after the last war before I was
able to visit Scotland, this mysterious area of my island. It
was an entirely different area from the Scotland that the tourist
sees today. Why I say that is, many of the roads in the highlands
at that time were single track with passing places, whereas today
they are replaced with dual carriageways and such as the bridge
to the Isle of Skye.
It meant that the remoteness of many places added to the romantic
history of the highlands, so I have fond memories of my first
visits to Scotland.
My early dahlia growing years after the war meant that I purchased stock from Dobbie’s of Edinburgh who were famous for the 1950 introduction “Edinburgh” a purple/white bi-colour water lily type small decorative you still see in gardens and parks. Another I remember growing was the introduction “White Rays” in the 1950’s a white small cactus. Lister’s of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute was a highly regarded firm during that time, “Jean Lister” introduced at the end of the war in 1945 was a white ball and one of my early purchases.
Later we had a series of cultivars prefixed “Rothesay”
such “Reliant” 1954 flame/white bi-colour small decorative
“Rothesay Superb” 1956 a red miniature ball right up
to “Rothesay Robin” 1969 a dark pink blend small decorative
that was probably the most famous and successful cultivar they
ever introduced.
In those days all the nurseries sent out plants during May/June
and when you consider that the plants had to be put on a ferry
at Rothesay bound for Largs and then on by train to Glasgow Central.
Followed by further train journey to Bristol, more than likely
changing trains at Crewe.
This operation only took a day and I never ever remember a plant
being damaged, some difference to our transport operations of
today.
Another Scottish firm, Paterson at Auchtermuchty which was
later to become the domain of Sandy Brown. By this time my business
life was taking me on to contracts many of which were in Scotland.
I was therefore able to visit Sandy on many occasions and see
new introductions on his nursery.
Buckhaven Co - op was another company that made its mark on the
dahlia world for many years they brought in many new cultivars
from all parts of the world.
I purchased many of the Australian pompons from them during
that time.
Norman William of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia sent many
of his “Willo” cultivars to be distributed by them.
Unfortunately their standards dropped and poor stock being sent
out meant that they ceased trading and will be remembered as “Virus
Inc.’ which is a sad situation when the early years showed
such promise.
The present day sees the Ridgeview Nursery run by Isa and Joe
Cruickshanks as the leading Scottish nursery and anyone visiting
them must be impressed by the high standard of plants and the
enthusiasm they show for the dahlia.
With respect to exhibitors from the Misty North, I met very few
in my early years, these were mainly at Harrogate where we used
to see Sandy Brown who always had a trade stand, this would be
in the very early 70’s.
My first Scottish show was the Glasgow Festival where we discovered
that there were many Scottish dahlia growers who could provide
stiff competition.
This turned out to be the best of all the garden festivals and
Tom Robbie has to be thanked for masterminding this successful
project.
My contribution to the festival must have surprised many as I
came with a reputation of being a bit of a pom grower and then
proceeded to win the giant decorative championship.
Today we have the “Semple” army invading shows all over the country with Scottish Societies winning championships in London and Harrogate National shows, as well as individual exhibitors winning championships in many sections all over the country.
It has given me much pleasure to have exhibited at many Scottish
National shows held in the fine setting of the Victorian Hall
in Stirling, one of the friendliest and best organised shows held
in the country.
It has given me satisfaction to see this Scottish dahlia evolution
over all of these years now with all of this talk of devolution
let us not break any of these precious links.
To combine the words of our great poets, Robbie Burns and Will
Shakespeare “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers”
shall united be “For auld lang syne”