A NEW orchard and trees have been planted at Culbokie Green right in the centre of the village.

Youngsters from the Culbokie Primary School were helped by their teacher and volunteers from the community to place them in the ground on Thursday (March 10).

The orchard has 16 new fruit trees – including eating and cooking apples, pears, plums and cherries – and other trees include birch, alder, rowan and field maple.

All the planting work and tools was funded by the Highland Coastal Communities Fund.

The new orchard and trees are part of a design that has been drawn up for the area by the Culbokie Community Trust (CCT) in consultation with the wider community.

Richard Fyfe, the CCT chairman, said “It’s really wonderful to see Culbokie Green coming to life after so many years of hard work to secure the land for the community.

"We hope that the children who plant these trees will help us take care of them as they grow and, in the not too distant future they, and everyone else in the village, will be able to enjoy the apples, pears, cherries and plums that they produce.”

The idea behind Culbokie Green is that, what was just a short time ago abandoned agricultural land will become a fantastic community resource where people can enjoy the outdoors, meet, play, socialise, gather, learn and relax.

The orchard will provide a focal point for the community to come together to celebrate and share local food. Other new facilities on the green will include a natural play area for children, outdoor table tennis, wildflower meadows, paths and seating and a timber shelter for a range of community activities.

When it is complete it is hoped it will be literally buzzing as people come to enjoy the area and as bees and other wildlife start to move in as the meadows and trees mature.

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