The Scottish Bonsai Association (SBA) was founded in 1979 by four passionate bonsai enthusiasts: Ian Baillie, Craig Coussins, Jimmy Russell, and Hector Riddell. Their paths first crossed at the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society’s (RCHS) Spring Flower Show at Meadowbank Stadium in 1978, where Craig was exhibiting part of his personal collection. That shared moment of inspiration led to the formation of the SBA the following year.

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Jimmy Russell served as SBA Secretary well into the 1980s, while the other founders took on various roles to support the Association’s growth and evolution. Though Jimmy has sadly passed away, his contribution and spirit remain an enduring part of SBA’s legacy.

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From its earliest days, the SBA flourished, winning a Large Gold for its debut exhibit at the Royal Highland Show, and showcasing bonsai artistry at the Ayr Flower Show and the RCHS Spring and Autumn shows at Meadowbank Stadium.

Thanks to Craig Coussins’ connection with Bill Graham of Ayr, a pioneering figure in Scottish bonsai, Bill’s remarkable collection became the foundation of the National Bonsai Collection of Scotland, originally housed at Malleny Gardens in Balerno.

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While the SBA began in Edinburgh, it soon expanded to include groups in Ayr, Perth, Forth Valley (originally Stirling), Glasgow, Penicuik, and beyond. Today, the Association continues to foster connections with other bonsai groups across Scotland, such as Grampian Bonsai. as well as with bonsai organisations throughout the UK.

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