The popular biennial Orkney Garden Festival, supported by SERCO Northlink, returns to the islands this July and promises visitors a wonderful selection of open gardens, talks and demonstrations from some of Scotland’s well-known gardening personalities. A total of 28 gardens will throw open their gates over two weekends including several award-winning coastal gardens. This year the event is raising funds for Perennial, the charity that helps people in horticulture, and the neurological ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI), whose share of the fundraising will help build a neuro-therapy garden at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, designed by James Alexander Sinclair.