ARMOURY PARK PROJECT
Pitlochry in Blooms biggest project to date has been the Armour Park. This was a massive redevelopment of a derelict and unused railway yard. The project began as a potential litter pick with local school children and from a small acorn of an idea grew into a massive oak, which took 6 long years to complete. The project turned an area of waste ground into a pleasant public park and picnic area with sculptures and picnic tables. it sits on one of the main walking Tourist routes into Pitlochry between the West End Car Park and the Dam & Salmon Ladder, so it is highly visible.
We were the first voluntary group in Scotland to receive European Regional Development Funding and the park was officially opened in December 2002 by John Swinney MSP.
WILDLIFE GARDEN PROJECT
The Wildlife Garden was officially opened on Midsummer's Day, Monday 21st June 1999 by Walter Gilmour of BBC Televisions " The Beechgrove Garden" and so celebrates its 17th anniversary in 2013. That ceremony was attended by our sponsor, Bell Blair Athol Distillery and SNH together with the Provost of Perth & Kinross Council and members of the Scottish Wildlife Trust who are our partners in the project.
Work to develop the garden has continued over the 14 years. The pond has undergone development and our efforts have been rewarded by the visit of a large Red Damsel Fly. Many Buddliea bushes, rescued from a derelict site have been planted in the Butterfly border, along with lupins. These will attract various butterflies and insects and also the Large Red Damselfly - Pyrrhosoma nymphula.
The provision of winter feed has greatly increased birdlife within the garden, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes . Great Tits and now Siskins have been present along with a pair of Mallards who regularly visit to devour our pond weed.
We continue under very difficult conditions to develop the meadow and have been pleased to see a great deal of self seeding in the raised border. The border provides a very colourful spring show. The Wildlife garden now provides a very colour and interest throughout the year from the first flowering of the snowdrops and wild daffodils until well after the early frosts of October and November.
The compost heap, fed wholly from the prunings and mowings within the garden is now providing compost for use in the more formal plantings within the PIB scheme.
In 2007 with the help of the SWT and Willie Grieves groundworks, we designed and built a minature "Ben LAwers" in memory of Meg Dunn who was the inspiration behind the Wildlife garden. A Bug Hunt took place during " Insect Week" in 2010. New interpretation boards went in 2011
In 2012 we received a grant to build a Bug Hotel. This was extremely successful and now sits pride of place in the wildlife garden.