Colin studied horticulture at the West of Scotland Agricultural College. He then worked in the Savill and Valley Gardens in Windsor Great Park before being appointed as Head Gardener to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother at Royal Lodge Windsor. Colin then moved to RHS Garden Wisley, firstly as a Superintendent before being appointed Curator in 2010. Colin is a passionate plantsman with a keen interest in garden design and has appeared on radio and television gardening programmes and is in demand as a guest speaker. Colin is also the immediate past President of the Scottish Rock Garden Club and is currently a trustee for Scotland’s Garden Scheme for whom he opens his garden annually as well as a trustee for The Caledonian Horticultural Society.