by Anne MacLennan
ReRoot is organising visits to places where people are producing food in Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh over the summer and autumn to see what is happening around the area, to share ideas and to encourage each other. It will mainly be touring growing spaces, but may also include some livestock. Work groups of whoever is interested and available, will help out with tasks related to food growing.
The first visit, on Saturday 20th June, was to Jo and Alistair’s croft in Lower Breakish. This is a well thought-out and organised space – or series of spaces. There was a conservatory full of thriving tomatoes, peppers and melon. We saw herb beds, raised beds of vegetables, polytunnel, fruit cage, and fruit trees. We admired the organised composting system and heard about challenges such as deer hopping over the deer fence to get at apples, and sawfly chewing up gooseberry leaves. The visit finished with a chat over a cuppa and nibbles.
The initial work group descended on Krystal’s garden in Broadford on 27th June to clear overgrown ground in preparation for planting vegetables and fruit bushes.
There is to be another visit to Lower Breakish on 4th July (please email ReRoot@tightgorm.scot for confirmation) and then to Portree Allotments, on 21st July with plans for West Coast Organics (Roag), Cosaig Growers (Glenelg), Raasay’s Walled Garden, Fìor Sgeir garden (Tokavaig), and Dunflashadder Cottage Croft (Edinbane) in August and September.
ReRoot is also organising a film screening and discussion at An Crùbh about the climate and nature crisis. See other post.
Get in touch if you would like to come on a visit or work group. ReRoot@tighgorm.scot