Volunteers thanked at grand opening of Rattray Community Garden

Date: Tuesday 1 July

Image courtesy of Clare McMicking / CraicNCommunications

Volunteers have been thanked at the official opening of Rattray Community Garden for their involvement in creating the new community space that aims to grow more food locally, improve gardening skills and reduce social isolation.

More than 100 people attended the open event, where they were able to enjoy tours of the garden, and find out more about the history of the garden and its development. There was also a chance to take home a posy in a pot, buy plants and gardenalia, and take part in a children’s treasure hunt, photography sessions and a raffle.

Rattray Community Garden, a Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) project, supports health and wellbeing, local food growing, the development of gardening skills and the reduction of social isolation.

The Garden was officially declared open by William Wilson, a trustee of BRDT and a former chair of Blairgowrie and Rattray in Bloom, who has been instrumental in the development of the space.

Speaking at the event, he said: “Blairgowrie and Rattray in Bloom started this journey back in 2019 when the land became available to purchase, and approached BRDT for help to secure the garden for the community.

“Funding applications to a number of grant-awarding bodies since then have enabled the Trust to acquire the space on behalf of the community, carry out building works, clear the site, install utilities, a greenhouse and paths.

“Hard-working, passionate and talented volunteers have created this garden from what was essentially then a building site, setting our and creating no-dig beds, building raised beds and planting and cultivating the wonderful array of vegetables and flowers we have here now – and everyone involved is to be applauded for that.

“The aim of this community garden is to bring people together to grow food and flowers and provide a welcoming space for everyone in the community, and I was absolutely delighted to declare Rattray Community Garden officially open.”

Linda Tait is chair of BRDT. She said: “It was wonderful to welcome so many members of our community to the official opening of Rattray Community Garden on what was a beautiful summer’s day.

“An incredible amount of volunteer time and effort has gone into developing this once near-derelict site into a fully functioning garden that is open to anyone interested in learning more about growing food and flowers, increasing biodiversity and nurturing the environment or simply enjoying the outdoors and the company of others and we are hugely grateful to everyone who has contributed to creating what is now a very special community space.”

Blairgowrie and Rattray in Bloom Honorary President Councillor Bob Brawn was at the grand opening. He commented: “I was very pleased to see so many people turn out for the official opening and it was marvellous to see how much work has been done to vastly improve the site over the last few years.

“Well done to everyone involved in creating this fantastic asset for the communities in both Blairgowrie and Rattray and in hosting such a great afternoon.”

Councillor Caroline Shiers was also at the opening. She said: “What an absolute oasis the Rattray Community Garden is. The volunteers have obviously worked so hard bringing the garden back to a beautiful and bountiful space. I can remember it in its previous state and the work undertaken is remarkable. 

“I love all the little spots where a bench has been placed to provide views over the garden and I hope all involved take time to sit and enjoy what has been created.” 

Rattray Community Garden is open to everyone in the community on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 10am and 1pm and provides an open space for people to come and relax, enjoy the garden or help out with the activities – everything from planting and weeding to harvesting and using the produce.

Based in what used to be a walled garden for Mount Ericht House, the garden has been home to award-winning environmental group Blairgowrie and Rattray in Bloom for a number of years.

The purchase and redevelopment of the community garden was highlighted as something local people wanted as part of the community action plan consultation exercise carried out in Blairgowrie and Rattray.

Since then, a team of volunteers has worked tirelessly to develop the site, and around £180,000 has been raised for the purchase and development of the garden.

The community garden has been supported by the Scottish Land Fund, the Mushroom Trust, the Scottish Government’s Shovel Ready fund administered by Development Trust Association Scotland, The Gannochy Trust, Perth and Kinross Council’s Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) fund and Green Living Fund, the Lintel Trust, the Jimmie Cairncross Charitable Trust, Blairgowrie and District Rotary Club, Blairgowrie Lyric Choir, Interplan Panel Systems, Blairgowrie-based Graham Environmental Services, Cunningham Carpets, the A Proctor Group, Blyth and Blyth Consulting Engineers, and the Friends of Rattray Community Garden.

To find out more about Rattray Community Garden, including how you can get involved in supporting

the work it is doing, follow the Facebook page by searching for ‘Rattray Community Garden’, visit the website at www.rattraycommunitygarden.org.uk or email info@rattraycommunitygarden.org.uk

For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on 07514 343 042 or media@brdt.org.uk

Supported by Rural Perth & Kinross Community-Led Local Development (RPK CLLD)

Local Action Group (LAG) with funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural Community-Led Local Development Fund 2024/25, part of the Scottish Rural Development

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