The deed forming the Merlin Trust was officially signed in January 1990 by four eminent horticulturists who wanted to support young horticulturists to learn and explore plants and gardens around the world. Valerie Finnis, Christopher Brickell, David Rae and Brian Mathew became the first trustees of this new charity, called the Merlin Trust, named for Valerie’s stepson, Merlin Scott.

Over the last 35 years, the Merlin Trust has awarded over 900 bursaries to young horticulturists, or those young to horticulture, to enable them to develop their knowledge and appreciation of plants through travel around the world, work experience in different organisations and gardens, and attendance of courses and conferences. Careful oversight by the trustees, many of whom were recipients of Merlin Trust awards early in their career, has ensured that the Merlin Trust will be supporting young horticulturists for many more years to come!

To celebrate this milestone, we have mapped the different locations that Merlins have visited since the first awards were made in 1991. Some of these locations are listed generically e.g. UK, or specifically e.g. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Merlins have visited every continent on the planet (with one obvious and very easily explained exception!) and the top locations for travel have been the UK, USA, China, South Africa and Japan. Do visit the interactive map here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1R83KQSqgHSuz3L1EL1tORo-2ExAtr54&usp=sharing although a static version is provided below.