Orchard pruning workshop injects new skills to community

Children from Allan’s Nursery joined 10 volunteers at the community orchard on Gowan Hill in Stirling today, Friday 20 March 2026, to learn new skills and reconnect with the heritage of the city.

Community engagement led by Stirling Council uncovered the desire from residents to get involved in more green space projects.  The community orchard has sadly been under-used in recent years and many of the trees were in need of pruning.

We delivered the skills training as part of the Our Heritage, Our Future project to support community groups to explore, celebrate and care for their local heritage.

During the skills training session participants learnt how to care for fruit trees and improve and encourage more diverse biodiversity to the community orchard.

Lisa Snedden, Our Heritage, Our Future Coordinator said: “It has been great to work in partnership with the community learning and development team at Stirling Council to deliver this skills workshop with members of the local community.

“By helping local people develop new practical skills and encouraging them to interact with nature and their local heritage we hope that this workshop will kick start a focus on food growing, community gardening and events at the orchard and around the city as we look to the future.”

Stirling Council was delighted to work in partnership with us to provide an opportunity for local residents to get involved in green space projects, highlighted as a priority during recent community engagement.

The council hopes this activity may lead to the establishment of a community group focused on food growing, gardening, and events in the orchard. Residents are encouraged to get in touch with the council if they wish to get involved, are interested in re-establishing community councils for the Mercat Cross and city centre, or find out more about this or other local projects please contact: Gisèle Hall, Community Development Officer, hallg@stirling.gov.uk

Our Heritage, Our Future is made possible with funding from Historic Environment Scotland and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.