Munlochy Office Wildlife Garden
In 2003 the BTCV Inverness office garden in Munlochy became the focus of a makeover.
VO's and volunteers started out with establishing a basic garden which has evolved over the last few years.
The ground was cleared and work started on repairing the collapsing rear fence, a revetment was built on the edge of the patio, and a small pond installed. A small selection of plants were put in including Holly, Heathers and various herbs, and finally a layer of bark chippings was laid to help suppress the weeds. Vegetable patches, used by the residential VO's, were also laid out and edged with a path installed between them and the main garden.
Over time we have installed a beach hedge along the back fence, built steps up to the patio from the side ally and added a gate. Plants such as Buddleia, Berberous, Box and Clematis have been added, along with wildflowers.
In 2006 placements on our Youth programme designed and constructed a bench and chair for the garden, made from wood scraps left over from other projects. Our VO's, and midweek group have installed a turf roofed arbor, and changed the revetment to include steps leading up to it.
The transformation to date can be seen in the bottom photo.
The garden attracts a wide range of wildlife: Robins, blackbirds, jackdaws, sparrows, and bees. A range of butterflies including both small & large Cabbage whites, painted ladies, red admirals, peacocks, and tortoise shells and our pond has attracted pond skaters, diving beetles, newts, and even a Common hawker dragonfly.
The garden at Munlochy is constantly evolving and future plans include cobbling the path and patio area - using it as a training course for the Youth programme.