This Society was formed in 1859. One of its tasks in recent years has been to promote East Linton's Horticultural Heritage and to Bring Colour to East Linton. The East Linton contribution to Scottish horticulture has been significant and the new eastern gateway roundabout is intended to make that link with a golden Scots pine planted in the centre of the roundabout and a trained Parrotia tree being a marker plant in the adjacent herbaceous bed. Both these varities of trees are to be found at the adjacent Smeaton estate where the golden Scots pine at the lake gate is believed to be one of the tallest in Britain. It is at its best in the winter sun when the foliage is a glowing golden yellow.
In 2002, the Society decided to improve the appearance of East Linton with the cooperation of residents and the support of Dunpender Community Council, it entered the event then known as Scotland in Bloom. It has been a finalist in eight of the past nine years since then and has won three awards, one for permanent planting in 2004, the most improved village ( pop under 2500) for 2005 and 2008 and in 2008, the David Welch Memorial Award for Something Special. In 2009 and 2010, it was awarded a silver gilt award under the new Beautiful Scotland competition rules.
See the Gallery page for a selection of photos used in our Beautiful Scotland entry
The Society has run a Spring Flower Show since 2003. The date for 2011 is not yet finalised.
One of the special activities in recent years has been the running of Apple days . Growing and experimenting with apples was a major activity in the area from 1800 in an attempt to create an industry but also to use apples as a food crop at a time of food shortages.
In October 2010, the Society took part in two Apple Day events at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and the quality and variety of the apples displayed from East Linton was of significant interest to the 1600 visitors over the three days.
One of the features in the displays in containers was the vegetable celeriac in keeping with the horticultural heritage of the area over 200 years.