Events

A superb effort over the weekend. The memorial tree garden came into being on Saturday with glades of native silver birch, oak, rowan and hazel planted out. The boundary between the haws and the orchard was filled with blackthorn, hazel and hawthorn. Round two today did not disappoint with a huge turnout to help mulch, lay bark chip paths, plant hazel , oak, silver birch on the boundary with the centenary walk, Ronnie and Jimmy planted more fruit trees and the epic environmental art installation that is the willow weave dead hedge blossomed.

Orchard Event March 2026

Thanks to everyone who came along to help clear the communal plot at the allotments this morning before building the new compost bay area. Lots of lovely home baking, teas and coffees. Well done all, space is looking great!

Compost Bay Building

More about the Bridge of Allan Allotment Association Community Orchard Tree Planting event

It was the dream of plot holder Ronnie Don to develop a Community Orchard and Garden as an additional part of the allotment site. The ‘seed grant’ paid for a consultation with John Hancox of Scottish Fruit Trees and an introductory pack of heritage fruit trees, including the ‘Stirling Castle’ apple tree.

As the bare root tree planting season was rapidly coming to an end, it was vital that the first trees were planted by the end of March. Queue the 11th Bridge of Allan Scout Group who were more than happy to lend a hand to plant the first 8 trees and at least 30 willow cuttings to create the boundary of the orchard. Blessed with a warm and sunny Sunday, gazebo in place, the community and Scouts arrived in number to assist. Butterfly Conservation provided posters and leaflets, application forms to join the Association were at the ready (membership is free for anyone living in the Stirling area) and a large box of apples awaited the eager volunteers once the planting was complete. Plot holders Sandy Leathley, Jimmy Don and Jim Cullen provided planting guidance for the scouts. The Stirling Observer sent a photographer to record what proved to be a very successful event.

Thanks, must be extended to FEL, John Hancox at Scottish Fruit Trees, Butterfly Conservation, the 11th Bridge of Allan Scouts, plot holders and the wider community who supported the event. The Bridge of Allan Allotment Association is delighted to be able to give back to the local community by developing the orchard and are grateful to everyone in the community who supported the petition back at the beginning of this journey.

It is planned that the remaining 192 fruit trees will be planted later this year. The 11th Bridge of Allan Scouts have offered to assist both with planting and providing a marquee which will allow the event to include a community BBQ.

Meantime, workshop events with Butterfly Conservation are in the planning for during the summer months.

The future is looking bright for the Bridge of Allan Allotment Association and Community Orchard.

Today we organised a butterfly identification workshop with Butterfly Conservation in the Community orchard/ garden. It was a glorious day and those arriving early helped move some of the woodchip we had donated by Lowlnd Trees from the orchard area into the community greenhouse/ polytunnel, the construction and fitting of which is now fully completed and looking great. It was warm enough to enjoy al fresco lunch. Children and some of the not so young enjoyed running around the orchard areas with nets trapping insects and Alice Kenny from Buterfly Conservation provided expert identification. She also provided leaflets and posters and plugs of wild flowers and plants that participants could grow on in their own gardens to attract butterflies and moths. A great day was had by all and many thanks to Jen and Alice for organising the workshop and the good weather to go with it

Butterfly ID workshop

Step by step build of community greenhouse/polytunnel framework. Thanks to all who volunteered and assisted and to Jennifer Clarke for organising the event and the refreshments and treats and the photographs. Great that the weather was conducive: dry bright and mild.

Allotment greenhouse construction