Community

There is plenty of evidence from initiatives around the country to show that local people can be a driving force in restoring and utilising our old orchards. In terms of their social value, orchards can be excellent spaces for outdoor learning for children and adults, can be a place for celebrating local heritage at events such as an Apple Day, they can bring people together to help resolve problems, and to explore and develop new enterprises.

Fruit tree planting at Braidwood Primary School

Here in the Clyde Valley, we still have some way to go before these benefits are realised. However, there are a number of orchard owners looking for help in management of their orchards, there are people with a good deal of knowledge about fruit trees, and a number of local schools are keen to become involved.