PICTURES: Incredible Edible Inverness adds landmark site by River Ness to its growing spaces in joint venture with Inverness Foodstuff
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A small area of land beneath an Inverness landmark is being put to productive use in a joint community growing venture.
Incredible Edible Inverness is collaborating with Inverness Foodstuff to grow fruit, herbs and vegetables at the Three Graces statues by the River Ness.
The plot is next to Ness Bank Church which runs the Foodstuff project providing meals for those who are homeless, vulnerable or financially disadvantaged.
The plan is to use the fresh produce grown by volunteers in some of the meals.
It is the latest venture by Incredible Edible Inverness which aims to establish vegetable and herb plots in spare sites around the city and to encourage people to take what they need while bringing communities together.
The group, formed last year, is the UK’s most northerly in the Incredible Edible Network which originated in the West Yorkshire town of Todmorden.
Helen Smith, a member of Incredible Edible Inverness, said the work at the Three Graces site is already drawing public interest.
"It is a public place so people are going past and see vegetables growing and maybe get the idea that they might try it at home, or there might be a space in the local area if they don’t have a garden which could be set up," she said.
"There is quite a lot of interest from folk who don’t have their own garden to grow things.
"People are interested in being able to pick something which is really fresh."
The group has taken over six riverside planters in front of Inverness Cathedral and is growing herbs and vegetables including mint, oregano, oriental leaves, kale, savoy cabbage, walking onions and golden beetroot plus a few strawberries and tomatoes.
It has also adopted a growing space in front of the Bishop’s Palace at Eden Court as well as setting up projects at the Cairn Medical Practice in Culduthel Road, Culloden Academy, Grant Street in Merkinch and other city sites.
"The aim is to get the message over it is there for people to help themselves," Mrs Smith said.
She said the project was also raising awareness of what can be grown in the Highlands.
"People are quite surprised at how much will grow well up here," she said.
"It is also raising awareness that it doesn’t have to be a big time-consuming thing – you can grow a lot in a small space."
She added the group is building up a bank of volunteers but is keen to hear from more people.
More details at www.incredibleedible.org.uk
Related story: Community food project keeps on growing
