Grant means orchard plan able to take root in city after High Life Highland secured £16,127 in funding for the project from the Inverness Common Good Fund
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A new orchard is to be created at Inverness Botanic Gardens after High Life Highland secured £16,127 in funding for the project from the Inverness Common Good Fund.
Work on the Apples for All project – which will also go under its Gaelic title, Ubhlan dha na h-uile – is due to begin before the end of this month.
The community orchard will be planted up both within and around the perimeter of the popular city gardens with a mix of Scottish heritage apple, plum and pear trees.
It will be maintained and developed by Inverness Botanic Gardens staff and volunteers from the GROW project for adults with learning disabilities.
Local community groups and schools will also be invited to get involved.
The aim is to promote local, sustainable and healthy eating, provide access to gardens for people who do not have any and healthy living and skills development opportunities for GROW members alongside local young people and community volunteers.
The grant award, agreed by members of Highland Council’s Inverness city committee, will cover the purchase of the trees themselves as well as stakes, temporary fencing to protect the saplings, gates, interpretation panels and signs and an apple press.
It is also hoped to create new seating areas within the orchard that will allow people the chance to sit and talk with others, as a way of combatting loneliness and enhancing overall community mental health.
High Life Highland chief executive Steve Walsh said: “I am delighted that this application has been successful.
“It is refreshing to receive some good news just now and the Apples for All project is one which will stand the test of time, providing an area to be enjoyed by visitors to the gardens for generations to come.”
He added: “This is an exciting addition to Inverness Botanic Gardens and will embed the gardens further into the local community as a place to visit and enjoy and ultimately have a chance to taste some freshly pressed juice from fruit grown virtually on your doorstep.”
Organisers are hoping to run fruit tree and fruit-related community workshops, such as introductions to tree care. They are also planning cooking and juicing days that will be open to everyone when the trees bear fruit.
As part of their funding application, the common good fund the team behind the project stated: “People will be encouraged to pick apples for their own use, or be part of workshops learning to make juice, pies, and vinegar.”
