Our Horticulture and Sustainable Food Systems programme looks at the range of processes that are involved in growing food, and the many journeys taken to get to our plate. We provide opportunities for young people aged five to 18 to engage in the world of growing food in our organic garden and on the wider Dumfries House Estate.
Please see below for all workshop details. Some workshops are only available on specific days of the week. Please check the day headers above each list when selecting your workshop to ensure availability. This will help you choose the options that best fit your timetable.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Burns Night Workshop – Available throughout January – All Primary Stages – Half day workshop (One half of your group will attend the worskhop whilst the other half has free time on the Estate. The groups will swap at lunch time.)
Haggis, Neeps and Tatties: Can you track down the elusive wild haggis said to wander through the Dumfries House Education Garden? Join us on a playful outdoor adventure where pupils explore how our garden supports a whole host of wildlife – including the legendary haggis – while also providing the perfect conditions for growing crops like turnips and potatoes. Along the way, pupils will roll up their sleeves and get hands-on with real seasonal garden tasks. We’ll discover what plants need to thrive, and how the changing seasons guide the work we do in the garden throughout the year.
Horticulture Skills – Late Primary Stage – Full Day Workshop – 10am – 2pm
Super Soil: In Super Soil, pupils dive hands-first into the wonderful world beneath our feet. They’ll get properly muddy as they carry out simple soil surveys, investigate the hardworking worms that help build healthy soil, and use microscopes to uncover the tiny creatures living in this hidden ecosystem. We’ll stretch their imaginations to explore how soil health connects to our own wellbeing, and pupils will put their learning into action by caring for the precious soil in our Education Garden to help our plants grow strong and healthy.
The Journey of Our Food – Late Primary Stage – Full Day Workshop – 10am – 2pm
The Seasonal Garden: Where does our food really come from? In this workshop, pupils will roll up their sleeves to discover the journey from soil to plate. They’ll take part in hands-on growing tasks in our Education Garden and cook with fresh, seasonal produce in our kitchen area. As we explore the garden, we’ll see how the time of year shapes the jobs that need doing and what’s ready to harvest right now. Along the way, pupils will learn how we enjoy food throughout the year, what “food miles” really mean, and how small, sustainable choices can make a big difference.
Growing for our Future – All Secondary Stages – Full Day Workshop – 10am – 3pm
Scran from the Soil: Get hands-on with your food, from garden gate to plate. In this practical workshop, students will dive into the daily work of our Education Garden, discovering what it really takes to grow healthy, delicious organic fruit and vegetables. They’ll harvest produce and enjoy the fruits of their labour by cooking nutritious, flavour-packed food to take home and share. Along the way, we’ll explore how healthy soil and sustainable growing practices create the best food—for us and for the planet. This workshop is perfect for secondary pupils of all ages who are curious about the full journey of food, from growing to eating.
Wednesdays and Fridays
Growing for our Future – All Primary Stages – Full Day Workshop – 10am – 2pm
Perfect Pollinators: The smallest creatures in the garden are often the most important. In this full-day workshop, pupils will discover why pollinators are a gardener’s best friend as they explore the many animals that help our plants thrive. They’ll learn how to survey the garden for these helpful beasties and become garden helpers themselves in our vegetable beds. Pupils will also create something to take home or back to school to support the pollinators in their own environment. This workshop helps young people understand how plants grow, how living things work together in the garden, and builds their confidence in environmental survey skills.
Growing for our Future – All Primary Stages – Full Day Workshop – 10am – 2pm
Wildlife Warriors: In this workshop, pupils will delve into the ecosystem of our Education Garden, surveying the wildlife that lives here and exploring the vital connections between plants and animals. They’ll discover why wildlife is essential for healthy plant growth and get hands-on with practical tasks to create more space for nature on the estate. Pupils will also make something to take back to school, empowering them to continue their Wildlife Warrior mission in their own community.
Horticulture Skills – All Secondary Stages – Full Day Workshop – 10am – 3pm
Earth Matters: Open up the earth beneath our feet—what is soil made of, and why is it so essential to our lives? In this workshop, pupils will survey the soils of the Dumfries House Estate and examine their structure up close under the microscope. By exploring soil composition, biology, and nutrient cycles, they’ll uncover soil’s vital role in food production, ecosystem health, and our own wellbeing. Through hands-on fieldwork, participants will build enquiry and experimental skills, then put their learning into practice with practical activities in our market garden. This workshop is ideal for secondary pupils studying geography, earth science, or agricultural subjects, as well as anyone with an interest in environmental sustainability.
The Journey of our Food – All Secondary Stages – Full Day Workshop – 10am – 3pm
Sustainable Sourcing: Students will follow the journey of food from its source to the consumer, exploring what it really means to choose ingredients that are good for our bodies, our planet, and our pockets. Through hands-on harvesting and food preparation in our vegetable garden, they’ll consider what makes an ingredient truly sustainable and how different production methods influence the impact of our food.
We’ll investigate the industrial food system that provides most of what we eat and discuss the barriers that can prevent people from accessing a healthy, sustainable diet. The day concludes with students preparing a dish using the produce they’ve gathered, showcasing how local, seasonal ingredients can come together to make a delicious meal. This workshop is ideal for secondary pupils studying food and health, or for anyone interested in environmental sustainability
Our school education workshops support the delivery of The Curriculum For Excellence, and many of our activities are based outdoors on our 2,000 acre estate, making use of our natural spaces to inspire learning. The King’s Foundation works in harmony with the natural world, and as such our workshops also touch upon the UN Sustainable Development goals and support learning for sustainability.
If you require any further information on our Horticulture and Sustainable Food Systems workshops before booking, please contact us at dh.education@kings-foundation.org
There is no charge for this workshop at point of booking, however Primary Schools can expect to receive an invoice for £5.50 per pupil, from our finance team soon after your booking is confirmed. Due to the way our programmes are funded, Secondary School workshops are free.