Who we are…

SSD Garden Services began operating in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, in 2011.

The company was founded by Dave Shah, a passionate and talented gardener after moving to Kirkcudbright with his wife and son in mid 2011. His son, Sam, joined the company in 2014, going on to gain broad experience in all things garden maintenance.

SSD Garden Services quickly gained notoriety in the local area for their commitment to providing a “friendly, honest and reliable” service. This resounding review has followed the company consistently ever since.

In late 2017, Sam moved to Leeds to pursue a career in health and safety, leaving Dave to continue the cause alone. Fortunately, whilst Dave is now planning semi-retirement, Sam simply couldn’t stay away - returning to Kirkcudbright with his partner in 2023.

The company is now flourishing once more with a new lease of life, expanding its services as well as its area of operations.

SSD Garden Services now operate throughout the Stewartry area, providing professional garden maintenance, landscaping services and external maintenance to any and all who need a helping hand.

  • A man wearing black trousers and a black fleece, with a blue shirt visible underneath is stood on a black-and-white striped mat placed on the ground in front of a large rose bush. The man is smiling to the camera.

    Dave Shah

    FOUNDER

    The man with the passion for plants.

    Dave originally worked in secondary education, teaching geography and music until eventually leaving to work a maintenance role.

    Throughout this latter period, Dave travelled far and wide, frequenting the far East, including exploring his family roots in Pakistan.

    Moving to the Scottish countryside was a longstanding dream for Dave, and was achieved in 2011, when he moved to Kirkcudbright with his wife and son.

    To hit the ground running, Dave added to his decades of experience as a hobby gardener, studying horticulture at Myerscough College. This education proved effective, allowing him to kickstart a fantastic garden maintenance company that has been going strong ever since.

  • A close-up selfie of a man on a beach, smiling at the camera. He has a ginger beard, and is wearing a black jumper, navy blue coat, and a light blue beanie.

    Sam Cook

    PARTNER

    Sam initially began with the company in 2014, helping Dave out on the weekends in between his studies.

    Over time, this snowballed into full time work, until Sam moved to Leeds in 2017 to pursue a career in health and safety.

    In time, Sam soon found himself back in the maintenance industry - this time in education. Quickly learning the ropes and gaining a wide array of skills in various trades, Sam eventually went on to become a Facilities Manager.

    After visiting Kirkcudbright with his partner consistently over the years since he moved, Sam quickly realised how much he missed Kirkcudbright. Luckily, his partner had always dreamed of living in the countryside, and so the couple moved back in 2023.

    With Sam’s new depth of knowledge in joinery, building and general maintenance, added to his years of gardening experience, his return has spurred a new lease of life for SSD Garden Services.