About the Foundation
The Finnis Scott Foundation was established under the Will of Lady Montagu Douglas Scott (Valerie Finnis) in 2006.
The Trustees can make grants for any charitable purpose, but their present policy is to focus grant-making on the areas of horticulture and plant sciences, as well as the exhibition, conservation and study of art. By so doing, they acknowledge the two enduring preoccupations, art collecting and gardening, of Sir David Montagu Douglas Scott, K.C.M.G., O.B.E. (1887-1986) and his wife, Valerie Finnis V.M.H. (1924-2006).
Our history
Sir David Scott was a career diplomat. His hobbies were collecting British paintings and gardening. In the course of a long life (he died when he was 99), he became a highly regarded collector who built up an important collection.
He retired from the Foreign Office in 1947 and spent his retirement at the Dower House, one wing of Boughton House, near Kettering, Northamptonshire. Here he created a beautiful tree and shrub garden with the aid of his first wife, Dorothy. After her death, he married the well-known alpine gardener and garden photographer, Valerie Finnis, and they continued to develop the garden.
Sir David bequeathed his art collection to Valerie. It was her wish that, on her death, the collection be sold and the proceeds used for charitable purposes.