Community Growing Space

Bringing alive
Mary’s Land

A local lady, Mary MacDougall very kindly bequeathed some land to the community in 2022. The land has great views over Carsaig Bay and towards Jura. A group of keen volunteers have created a growing group, and the part of the land is also being grazed seasonally by a local farmer. The growing group is fondly called ‘Mary’s Magnificent Members’ in memory of Mary and her magnificent vegetable garden that she spent many joyful years tending. She was also very generous in sharing her produce.

In 2024 funding was awarded to the growing group from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Vibrant & Living Spaces Grant, which has allowed us to buy fruit trees, tools, storage, native trees, hedging, and protection from deer.

 

Mary’s Magnificent Members have planted a community orchard, native hedging and shrubs, started a vegetable growing patch and hope to create some ponds, a herb garden and a native flower garden for the bees.

The orchard is young now but, in a few years, you should be able to spot the quince from the apple and the plum from the mulberry and collect enough to make a yummy crumble.

Come and spot the hazel, blackthorn, holly, dog rose, foxgloves and primroses as we try and grow some hedging to protect the orchard from the winds and to enrich the craggy areas with native shrubs and flowers.

Mary’s Magnificent Members is open to all who would be interested in getting involved or helping out. If you’re up on holiday or live locally or not so locally and fancy a bit of community fun, come along and see what we are up to. The meet-ups can be quite ad hoc but give Sal a text on 07810 186 484 or email info@tayvallichinitiative.org and we’ll let you know when meet-ups are planned.

If you want to just pop up and take a look, or enjoy the views from the benches and seats on the site, please be mindful of the grazing animals and neighbouring local chickens so keep dogs under close control or on a lead. It is a common dog-walking route and we ask that you clean up after your dog so that it continues to be a lovely walking area for all. We look forward to welcoming you.

Further Information

Look out for updates on Tayvallich Initiative social media sites and Tayvallich Community social media sites, and on here too!

Join Us

Anyone living in the Tayvallich peninsula can join Tayvallich Initiative as an Ordinary Member, and other individuals and organisations are welcome to join as Associate Members. We welcome new members and those wishing to get more involved. If you wish to become a member of Tayvallich Initiative, please click the button here to download & complete our membership forms.
The Articles of Association of TI are available by clicking the link below.
Please email info@tayvallichinitiative.org with any questions.