The University of Edinburgh’s Master’s in Landscape Architecture has turned 60 this year. This anniversary was celebrated in the enchanting garden of John Byrom, the second director of the MLA, and co-organised by Seamus Filor, director from 1995 until 2007. This garden party is already a tradition, and this year has counted more than thirty graduates, plus former and current staff members.

When Sir Robert Matthews was appointed Forbes Professor of Architecture at the University of Edinburgh in 1958, he introduced two-year vocational postgraduate programmes in Landscape Architecture. The course began in 1962, run by Frank Clark, assisted by Laurie Fricker. When Fricker left to join the School of Architecture at Portsmouth, his post was filled by annual visiting American academics, Ron Lovinger, Michael Laurie and David Streatfield. (All graduates from Ian McHarg’s graduate programme at Pennsylvania University).

Clark sadly died in 1972. John Byrom was appointed Director of Landscape Studies and Seamus Filor as lecturer. A further post was split between visiting local practitioners. Initially these were Ian Temple, the late Peter Daniel and Ed Hilliard. Over time, Peter Lyle, Archie Young, David Jenkins and Bob Ferguson have been part of the team. Tess Canfield covered for Seamus Filor’s sabbatical to Jeddah (1981-82).

Horticulture was taught at the Royal Botanical Gardens by Eddie Kemp, Jim Marshall, George Anderson and David Rae. (This continued at ECA).

Two cakes on a stone table, one chocolate and one victoria sponge
Image: May Cruickshank
The 60th anniversary cakes.
People gathered by a stone archway
Image: May Cruickshank
Ian Temple, Beatrice Dower, Sarah Barron, Colin Cruikshanks, Fraser McNaughton, John Byrom.

On John’s retiral in 1995, the MLA Programme was transferred to the Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot Watt University, taking Seamus Filor, Peter Daniel, David Jenkins and Bob Ferguson as staff. The late Bill Tucker, Marcy Eaton and Sally Butler joined from the ECA staff. Over time Felicity Steers, Patricia Alston, Janet Benton and Paul Morsley played part-time roles. Filor retired in 2007 and Sally Butler took over the leadership.

In 2011, the ECA amalgamated with the University of Edinburgh. Kenny Fraser directed the MLA from 2014 -2017 and Elinor Scarth from 2017-2020. The current Director of the MLA programme is Dr Francisca Lima.

The two-year full-time Landscape programme began as a Diploma and was converted to M Phil. in 1979 and MLA in 1989. It received full recognition for exemption from their External Examinations from the Landscape Institute in 1973. Over its first 60 years the Edinburgh course has trained some 550 graduates, practising Worldwide.

The MLA 60th anniversary party happened on the 3rd of September 2022 in John Byrom’s garden.

Published on 20 September 2022

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Gallery

An elderly man in a light blue shirt, holding a walking stick in the air, in a garden
John Byrom, director of the MLA from 1972 to 1995, now 88 years old. Image: May Cruickshank
An apple tree growing across a wall with red painted text underneath
John Byrom's garden, Apples and Apples Image: May Cruickshank
A group of people sitting down and chatting
Bob Ferguson, Clara Elliot, Sarah Barron, Milja Tuomivaara. Image credit: May Cruickshank
Two women looking at a phone
Current Programme Director Francisca Lima with Rachel Sutherland, 1993 MLA graduate and botanical artist. Image: May Cruickshank
A group people in a garden
Garden Party tradition: The 50th MLA anniversary in John Byrom's Garden, 2012. Image: May Cruickshank
Pink socks hung on a drying line
Party theme: Pink socks Image: May Cruickshank
A man crouching as he plays lawn bowls.
Seamus Filor, director of the MLA from 1995 to 2007. Image: Mike Allen
Party guests gathered at John Byrom's garden party.
Party guests gathered at John Byrom's garden party. Image credit: May Cruickshank
An elderly man in a light shirt, talking to a man in a blue checked shirt
John Byrom, director of the MLA from 1972 to 1995, with Bob Ferguson. Image: Olga Bakiritiz