Tuesday, 5th October, 2004
Obelisk marks Younger gift to the nation
A lasting contribution to research and conservation will be recognised at Benmore
Botanic Garden, Argyll, tomorrow (Wednesday) when tribute is paid to Harry George
Younger, the Edinburgh brewer who gifted his estate to the nation. In the company of
Professor Stephen Blackmore, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden
Edinburgh, Maureen Spurgin, granddaughter of Younger - and the last surviving
member of the Younger family to have lived in Benmore House -, will unveil a plaque
on a specially-commissioned obelisk.
The unveiling will coincide with the launch of Country House Life in the Highlands:
The Younger Family at Benmore, 1889 – 1929, a booklet of family memoirs by David
Younger, Mrs Spurgin’s brother. Professor Stephen Blackmore commented on the
underlying importance of the event: “The Youngers introduced numerous exotic
flowering trees and shrubs, including many of the superb rhododendrons which are
now so characteristic of Benmore. In gifting the land to the nation, they provided
RBGE with a valuable resource in its ongoing commitment to studying and
conserving our environment.”
ENDS
EDITOR’S NOTES
The Younger Family Monument and booklet
The Younger Monument was commissioned by the Younger Benmore Trust. A 10ft
obelisk of natural sandstone, it stands on a raised bluff near the main gates, bearing
a blue/grey slate inscription: In memory of the Younger family who gave Benmore to
the nation in order that everybody can enjoy what they themselves so loved. The
monument was crafted by WL Watson & Sons, of St Andrew’s, in collaboration with
sub contractors John Brown, of Strone,
County House Life in the Highlands: The Younger Family at Benmore, 1889 – 1929,
by David Younger, was published by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, with
support from the Younger (Benmore) Trust. Review copies are available from RBGE
press office.
Bemore Botanic Garden
Formerly the Younger Botanic Garden, Benmore was gifted by Harry George
Younger in 1925, creating an opportunity for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
(RBGE) to stretch beyond the boundaries of a city garden. One of the four gardens of
RBGE, which together make up the Royal Botanic Gardens of Scotland, Benmore
provides a vital link with the disappearing wilderness.
Under the leadership of its current curator, Peter Baxter, Benmore now extends to
48ha (120 acres) and, as well as being home to indigenous species, it recreates such
varying geographical regions as the forests of Chile, Bhutan and Tasmania. With
more than 400 species, it is also unparalleled in its collection of Sino-Himalayan
rhododendrons.
The Younger Family
Henry Younger, the Edinburgh brewer, bought Benmore Estate in 1889, after its
previous owner – Greenock sugar refiner James Duncan – went bankrupt. Initially,
Younger was almost certainly attracted by its potential as a sporting estate, but he
became increasingly interested in planting trees. His son, Harry George Younger,
continued the interest, adding western cedar and larch, as well as many exotic
flowering shrubs, including the first of the rhododendrons. In this era, peacocks
roamed the grounds, neighbour Harry Lauder entertained houseguests and 40 staff
looked after the woods and gardens.
In 1924, Harry Younger started negotiations to give Benmore to the nation. The
estate was to be used for the purposes of science and education - with the bulk of
the land allotted to the Forestry Commission. In 1929, the policies around the house
were gifted to RBGE. However, the Younger family retains a lasting link with
Benmore. Soon after Harry George Younger gave his estate to the nation, he set up
a trust to provide a regular income to assist with regular additional support in
maintaining the “amenity, utility and beauty” of the policies and gardens.
The Younger Benmore Trust, formed in 1928, provides a yearly income to the
Garden. Trustees include representatives of the Younger family, the Forestry
Commission, RBGE and the local community. Practical gifts include donations
towards the conversion of the Courtyard Gallery, the building of a Viewpoint shelter
and the purchase of the Benmore Explorer to convey less able visitors to more
remote areas of the Garden. Trust funding also supports expeditions to collect seed
for conservation and research.
For more information, please contact press officer Shauna Hay on 0131 248 2900
Wednesday, October 6 : Outline Programme
12.30
Assemble at Garden entrance at the foot of the Avenue (beside
Botanics Shop & James Duncan Café). Parking available in Benmore
Botanic Garden car park. Guests escorted by Peter Baxter (BBG
Curator) to Monument Bluff
12.40
Speeches by Professor Stephen Blackmore (Regius Keeper RBGE),
Sir Peter Hutchison (Chairman of the Younger Benmore Trust) and
David Younger (Grandson of Harry George Younger, who gifted the
estate to the nation)
12.50
David Younger invites his sister, Maureen Spurgin (the last surviving
member of the Younger family to have lived in Benmore House), to
unveil the Memorial Plaque.
12:55
Commemorative Planting of a specimen shrub by Prof. Blackmore, Sir
Peter Hutchison, David Younger and Dr Paul Nicholson (Chairman of
RBGE Board of Trustees)
13.00
Guests escorted to Benmore Courtyard Gallery
(minibus support available from the car park)
13.15
Professor Stephen Blackmore announces the publication of the new
booklet: Country House Life in the Highlands – The Younger Family at
Benmore 1889-1929. Copies available at special launch day price.