Cittaslow Activities and Events
This section of the website aims to provide information about some of the on-going activities and events in Perth and Kinross that link into the aspirations and principles of Cittaslow.
THE CARSE OF GOWRIE HERITAGE ORCHARDS PROJECT
In Scotland there are traditionally two main areas of commercial orchard planting: the Clyde Valley and the Carse of Gowrie, which is a low lying area beside the River Tay between Perth and Dundee.
Many heritage apple varieties in Scotland originate from Perthshire and Angus, including the Bloody Ploughman, Oslin, Hood’s Supreme, Lass o’ Gowrie, and the Tower of Glamis. Whereas the Clyde Valley orchards are predominately a product of commercial jam-making in the Victorian era, the Carse of Gowrie orchards started as part of the farms and granges owned by Medieval abbeys and later contributed to food production for the burgeoning towns and cities in the area.
At least two-thirds of all traditional orchards have been lost in Britain over the past four decades. There is an urgent need to safeguard the existing orchards in the Carse and to make them commercially viable.
With the resurgence of interest in orchards, the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership undertook a research project to survey the location, condition and extent of orchards in the Carse. From this, a Traditional Orchards Action Plan has been drawn up to improve the condition of local orchards, raise awareness of their importance and develop new markets for their produce.
This Action Plan also aims to:
“Establish a network of community and school orchards throughout Tayside to keep the local cultural tradition alive, to highlight local food and health options, and to encourage the planting of Scottish origin ‘heritage’ (fruit) trees.”
It is hoped that this project will lead to: regular events that highlight the local orchards; the creation of trails that link orchards and local food based businesses with visitor accommodation, eating places and villages; and stronger links with healthy eating projects in local schools and communities.
One of the first events to be held through this project will be an Orchard Festival, which will take place between 18 – 26 October 2008. One of the highlights of this Festival will be a Fruit Weekend at Glendoick Garden Centre on the Carse of Gowrie on 18 & 19 October 2008.
Please keep checking this website for further details of these events.
