FUNDS SECURED TO ENSURE THE FUTURE AND RESTORATION OF LITTLE SPARTA: IAN HAMILTON FINLAY’S GREATEST ART WORK AND TREASURED SCOTTISH CULTURAL LANDMARK

Today it can be revealed that significant funds have been raised to help secure the future of Little Sparta. The garden of the late poet and artist Ian Hamilton Finlay, which sits near Edinburgh, is one of the most important cultural landmarks of the twentieth century.

A major grant of £162,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, alongside further support from Art Fund and other generous supporters, has enabled the Little Sparta Trust to acquire the iconic Temple of Apollo. As of May 2026, the entire site is now held in trust for the public in perpetuity, creating the foundation for long-term plans to protect, restore and share Little Sparta with wider audiences. The Trust is now preparing to advance its long-term vision and will launch a major fundraising campaign to support the conservation and restoration of the site, while creating new opportunities for people to engage with, learn from and be inspired by the garden and Finlay’s enduring legacy.

The announcement coincides with the launch of Little Sparta’s Summer 2026 opening programme from 4 June until 27 September, inviting visitors to experience this remarkable place and to engage more deeply with the ideas that shaped this unique landscape.

A unique fusion of sculpture, poetry, and nature, Little Sparta comprises a series of distinct environments containing over 270 artworks, carefully situated within structured landscaping and planting. It is not simply a garden but a complete work of art.  Established with his partner Sue Finlay in 1966, and shaped through decades of collaboration with skilled craftspeople, gardeners, and fellow artists it is a radical and singular place – a bold expression of artistic       integrity and independent thought. 60 years since its founding, Little Sparta is recognised as a site of national and international significance. 

Working with Benjamin Tindall Architects, the Little Sparta Trust has developed proposals for the careful evolution of the site, including the conservation of artworks and buildings alongside improvements to visitor facilities and interpretation.

Initial projects include the development of the Temple of Apollo as a space for exhibitions, talks, readings and screenings, alongside accommodation for visiting artists. Plans also include the restoration of Ian Hamilton Finlay’s cottage and the Temple of Philemon and Baucis, supporting a future programme of education, research and creative activity.

Looking ahead, the Trust will develop new interpretation across the garden, expand learning and research programmes, and create opportunities for artists, students and visitors to engage with Finlay’s legacy. Digital initiatives and community programmes will further extend access, ensuring that Little Sparta continues to reach audiences both locally and internationally.

Chair of the Little Sparta Board, Magnus Linklater explained, “Our future programme will support artists and other creative practitioners, foster learning and discovery for all ages, provide training in traditional skills such as stone-carving and calligraphy, and enable research and international study. Improved access measures, digital resources, and virtual events will ensure that everyone, including those unable to visit in person, can enjoy the site. The garden will also become a valued resource for local communities, offering projects, events, and collaborations, alongside volunteering, training, and paid opportunities that support the local economy”

Little Sparta is increasingly vulnerable to weather, age, and even modest levels of visitation. These pressures create conservation challenges across the garden, its buildings, and artworks. Without action now, the physical fabric of the site will be placed under increasing strain, and the garden’s unique character, artistic integrity, and public value will be at risk.

Funds are still being raised to ensure the project reaches its full fruition.

Magnus Linklater  added, “Together, we can protect and celebrate Little Sparta as a dynamic cultural resource for Scotland and an internationally recognised centre for creativity and learning. We are about to embark on a major fundraising campaign to further ensure this. Your support – through donations, volunteering, or participation in our programmes – will help make this vision a reality.  Every contribution, large or small, strengthens our ability to preserve and share this extraordinary artwork for generations to come”

Simon Thurley, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “Little Sparta is a place of imagination and international significance, and we are delighted to support the acquisition of the Temple of Apollo to help secure its future for everyone. Bringing this important building into the care of the Trust will safeguard a vital part of Ian Hamilton Finlay’s legacy, improve access for visitors, artists and communities, and ensure this extraordinary garden continues to inspire, educate and be enjoyed by the public for generations to come. The Memorial Fund exists to save the UK’s most outstanding heritage and make it publicly accessible, in memory of those who have given their lives for the UK. Since 1980 we have supported nearly 1,500 acquisitions and we are delighted to count Little Sparta as part of the growing and timeless collection of UK heritage that belongs to all of us forever.”

Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said: “Little Sparta is an extraordinary artistic creation, a fusion of artist Ian Hamilton Finlay’s sculpture, poetry and vision set within the Pentland Hills. We are delighted to support the acquisition of the Temple of Apollo, a powerful work of art in its own right and an integral part of the site and the garden’s history. Thanks to the generosity of our National Art Pass members and supporters, this funding will help secure the future of Little Sparta, ensuring it can continue to inspire visitors for generations to come.”