Osgood Mackenzie facts for kids

Osgood Hanbury Mackenzie (born 1842, died 1922) was a Scottish landowner. He is famous for creating the beautiful Inverewe Garden near Poolewe in Wester Ross, Scotland.

Early Life and Family Roots

Osgood Mackenzie was born on May 13, 1842, in a place called Chateau de Talhouet, in Brittany, France. His father was Sir Francis Mackenzie, a Scottish Baronet and the 12th laird of Gairloch. The Clan Mackenzie was a powerful family from the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. They became well-known in the 1400s. Osgood's mother, Mary, came from Essex in England.

Osgood's father passed away when Osgood was very young. He was taught at home, which was common for families like his. He learned to speak both English and Scottish Gaelic.

Creating a Famous Garden

In 1862, when Osgood was about 20 years old, he bought a large piece of land called the Inverewe and Kernsary estate. It was about 12,000 acres (4,856 hectares) in size. On this land, he built a large house in the Scottish Baronial style. But his biggest project was creating a garden.

Osgood started by planting many trees, like native and Scandinavian pines. These trees helped protect the garden from strong winds. He also built a walled garden and made lovely paths through the woods. Within 40 years, he had created one of the best collections of plants in Scotland. These plants came from many different parts of the world, both from the Northern and Southern parts of the Earth.

Osgood also wrote a book called A Hundred Years in the Highlands. It was published in 1921. The book doesn't talk much about his gardening. Instead, it shares interesting stories about life in the Scottish Highlands during his time and even his grandfather's time.

His Family

On June 26, 1877, Osgood Mackenzie married Minna Amy. They had one daughter named Mary, who was often called Mairi. Mary later married twice. Osgood and his wife later separated when their daughter was still a child.

Legacy of Inverewe Garden

Osgood Mackenzie passed away on April 15, 1922. His daughter, Mary, inherited the Inverewe estate and its famous garden.

Mary did not have any children. After her second husband died, she started talking with the National Trust for Scotland in 1950. The National Trust for Scotland is an organization that protects important places and natural beauty in Scotland. In 1952, Mary gave the Inverewe Garden to the National Trust for Scotland. She also gave them money to help take care of the garden in the future. Thanks to her, many people can still visit and enjoy Osgood's amazing garden today.

See also

• Inverewe Garden