Planting Roots at Galashiels Academy

Just before the Christmas break, Trees with Roots was delighted to visit Galashiels Academy to mark the opening of the school’s brand-new building with a very special tree planting.

Finlay donated a young oak tree grown from an acorn collected at Abbotsford House - the former home of Sir Walter Scott. Abbotsford House is located just a few miles from Galashiels Academy, making this tree a truly local symbol of heritage, place and community.

The oak began life as a single acorn gathered from the grounds at Abbotsford. Carefully nurtured and grown on, it is now strong enough to begin the next stage of its journey - putting down roots at the heart of the school grounds.

Finlay was joined on the day by Tim Owen, Head Gardener at Abbotsford House, helping to connect the tree back to where its story first began. A group of enthusiastic pupils from various year groups also took part in the planting, taking turns with the spades and helping to settle the tree into its new home.

The timing made the occasion even more meaningful. The planting took place just before Christmas, shortly before pupils and staff moved into the new building after the holidays. As the school community stepped into a new chapter in January, the oak was already in place - a living marker of growth, fresh beginnings and long-term strength.

At Trees with Roots, we believe trees carry stories with them. This oak links Abbotsford and Galashiels, past and present, and will grow alongside generations of pupils in the years to come.