Valerie Finnis

Who was Valerie Finnis?

Valerie Finnis was a well-known British photographer and gardener. She was born in Crowborough, Sussex, daughter of a naval officer, Steriker Finnis, and gardener Constance Finnis. She attended Hayes Court school in Kent and Downe House school in Berkshire. In 1968 she met retired diplomat and plantsman David Scott whom she married in 1970 and with whom she lived, gardening together until his death in 1986. In 1990 she set up the Merlin Trust, named after David Scott's son Merlin who was killed in the second world war, aged 22. The Merlin Trust assists young horticulturists to travel and gain experience.