Drumderg

Based in Highland Perthshire, the community of Kirkmichael wanted to create a space for growing food, learning, connecting, and spending time in nature. After the land was donated to the charity by the Amory family of Glenfernate and funding was secured, around 20 volunteers helped to develop the site.

One of the first tasks was constructing a deer fence. A large polytunnel soon followed along with vegetable beds, a dedicated area for the primary schoolchildren with raised beds and a shed, a potting/tool shed, and a large welfare shed.

One of the first volunteers created a beautiful wildflower garden, now producing a stunning display of colour each year that is loved by pollinators and visitors alike. They attend the garden most days and say that it brings them “peace and tranquillity.”

The committed garden community works together to maintain the space and has grown an impressive amount of fresh produce over the past two years. This is shared with volunteers and offered to the wider community through a cart outside the village shop in exchange for donations.

Two volunteers also run sessions for the 30 primary schoolchildren, helping them learn about growing food and exploring nature. Jo Slater, Chair of Kirkmichael Community Garden says “it is lovely to see them racing each other to the garden on a Friday afternoon, full of smiles and enthusiasm. They have had great success with vegetables; there is always huge excitement when digging for tatties, which the children describe as “like finding gold!”

The community celebrated with an official opening day in April 2025. Jo Slater said, “it’s a brilliant achievement by all our volunteers, the progress made in just a couple of years is incredible, we really hope the garden continues to bring happiness to all the people, animals, and plants that use it for generations to come.”