Edinburgh, the Capital city of Scotland with a population of around 477,660 people, has long been known as 'Auld Reekie' for the smoke which once swirled around its majestic spires and dark gothic cathedrals. Edinburgh is also where Clare Florist first started back in 1978, and it remains the home of the Clare Florist head office to this day.
For a florist, and a flower-lover, the 'Athens of the North' is a constant source of floral inspiration. The coat of arms for Edinburgh contains thistles, which are the national flower of Scotland, and the famous Princes Street Gardens is the location of a wonderful Floral Clock (a world first). A large beautifully planted floral arrangement, the floral clock actually shows the real time.
Rose Street in Edinburgh is thought to have been named after the wild roses that grew on the slopes above the North Loch (now Waverley Station). Less poetically, the fiddle tune 'The Flowers of Edinburgh' recalls the popular nickname for the stench that emanated from the sewers between the tenements in the city.
Edinburgh is also the location of Scotland's Royal Botanic Gardens, which houses a fabulous collection of botany, flowers and plants from around the globe.
As Scotland's national capital, Edinburgh is also home to many of the country's flower events:The last weekend in May sees 'Gardening Scotland' (Scotland's top gardening and outdoor living show) come to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh.
Also, the federation of Edinburgh and district allotments and gardens associations holds an annual flower show around September.
Flowers aside, Edinburgh is home to Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street, the Edinburgh Fringe festival of comedy, theatre, dance, film and books, and the annual Hogmanay celebrations, one of the biggest New Year street parties you'll ever see. It's no wonder we at Clare, after all these years, still base our family-run business in this magnificent city.
