WATCH: Tractor delivery from Dingwall firm lightens the load for staff at world famous Wester Ross-based Inverewe Garden cared for by the National Trust for Scotland

A major new investment has been made at National Trust for Scotland’s Inverewe Garden and Estate, the Trust’s most northerly heritage garden.

A fleet of brand-new compact tractors was delivered to the Northwest Highland property this week, demonstrating the Trust’s ongoing commitment to preserving and maintaining the site for the future.

And this ‘special delivery’ has been very welcomed by the hard-working gardening team and indeed the whole of the Inverewe team!

Replacing the older existing fleet, the shiny blue garden tractors arrived on two vehicles, transported and supplied by local Rosshire company Ravenhill from its Dingwall premises. The new tractor upgrades provide the gardeners with better safety, comfort, power and increased productivity.

Martin Hughes, operations manager for Inverewe and Corrieshalloch Gorge, was delighted to receive the new fleet.

He explained: "Our existing fleet was over ten years old and badly needed replacing. Restructuring of our operations at Inverewe this winter has allowed me to invest further in the garden. This investment along with adding three new full time garden positions this year will give us an amazing platform to preserve and improve Inverewe garden for future generations."

The whole gardening team eagerly awaited the arrival of the new tractors on two vehicles driven by Ravenhill’s Gavin Kelt and Brian Smith, carefully unloaded and followed by a thorough training session for the team. The gardeners were all fascinated and excited with their new equipment and were keen to find out as much as they could about their new garden tractors.

Head Gardener Kevin Ball is thrilled with the new investment. He explains: "The new vehicles have double the horsepower of the previous compact tractors, which have been part exchanged. This will give us many more options in our care of Inverewe. Some of the main jobs will be pulling and transporting compost, soil, waste material around the grounds.’

Kevin added: "And one of the tractors is set up and licenced to go on the road which will give us more opportunities around the Inverewe estate."

Kevin’s gardening team is now made up of seven full time gardeners plus a garden intern for a six-month secondment, a forestry gardener and a seasonal gardener. He is also in the process of recruiting a gardener who will be responsible for propagating which will be a major addition to his busy team.

Martin Hughes summarises this exciting investment. "This is clearly demonstrating that the 'garden is everything' - with this very significant investment of £56,000 in equipment to make life much easier for our garden team!

"And we are sure visitors will appreciate the investment as this popular garden on the shores of Loch Ewe benefits from such heavy investment in both its staff and its equipment."

Best job in Highland gardening?

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