Welcome to Colintraive Village Hall
Community Garden
Colintraive Community Garden
Colintraive Community Garden
The garden is open to everyone and can be accessed from the car park at the rear of the village hall
The area on which the garden now stands, a major part the Meal Mill operation of years past had long since become derelict and overgrown. Previously it had contained the blacksmith’s garden and various buildings as well as the lade and mill pond which provided the water for the mill.
Trees, bushes and undergrowth had to be cleared. Earth was moved with the help of a digger and landscaped to form the garden you see today. Paths were constructed, planting areas dug out, walls and fences built - all in twelve weeks.
The design of the garden and the choice of plants and their positioning was facilitated by a very capable team from the BBC Beechgrove Garden who came to the garden in August 2003. The planting, including shrubs, bushes, pond and herbaceous plants and bulbs, were selected with careful consideration to the local area and environment being at the same time bold and sensitive. Many native species can be found.
The area on which the garden now stands, a major part the Meal Mill operation of years past had long since become derelict and overgrown. Previously it had contained the blacksmith’s garden and various buildings as well as the lade and mill pond which provided the water for the mill.
Trees, bushes and undergrowth had to be cleared. Earth was moved with the help of a digger and landscaped to form the garden you see today. Paths were constructed, planting areas dug out, walls and fences built - all in twelve weeks.
The design of the garden and the choice of plants and their positioning was facilitated by a very capable team from the BBC Beechgrove Garden who came to the garden in August 2003. The planting, including shrubs, bushes, pond and herbaceous plants and bulbs, were selected with careful consideration to the local area and environment being at the same time bold and sensitive. Many native species can be found.
The gate to the left opens on to a well maintained path that leads up a gentle slope. To the left is the Milton Burn. The gentle sound of the burn can change dramatically after heavy rain when it becomes a spectacular series of cascades over its rocky bed.
As the path continues it opens out leading round to a large pond on the right. Planting in this area includes acer, assorted azaleas, viburnum and cotoneaster all underplanted with ground cover plants. The pond margins include areas of bog to encourage wildlife and in the spring frogspawn is in abundance.
On the higher level, again easily accessible, is a grassy area with a children’s playhouse and sandpit.
The top left corner of the garden has gated access to a viewing platform which allows the visitor to watch the water as the burn is forced through a narrow gully. This is where the water for the pond is collected and channeled through the garden.
There is no doubt that the community takes great pride in the garden. Work parties are regularly organised to maintain this beautiful space.
There is a donations box at the gate
