Holyrood Apple Day brings together schools, community groups and orchard enthusiasts from across Scotland to enjoy the display of 100s of Scottish heritage apple varieties which grow well here. It offered the chance to taste apple juice and Edinburgh’s new cider – Morningcider – made with Edinburgh’s finest local apples (writes JAMES McGINTY).
Scottish Heritage Fruit Trees are a Social Enterprise, committed to improving the environment of Scotland, and the health and wellbeing of the people. John Hancox, Director of Scottish Fruit Trees, has been an enthusiast for fruit growing since childhood, and believes everyone should have the the pleasure of planting, harvesting and eating fruit fresh from the tree.
John has done a huge amount to encourage the resurgence of fruit growing across Scotland. John Hancox also developed the Fruitful Schools and Commonwealth Orchard projects, to help develop community food growing in Scotland. John Hancox is also a member of the Scottish Governments Grow Your Own Working Group and has given evidence to the Scottish Parliament on the health and community benefits of fruit growing.
How they work?
They sell Scottish and heritage fruit trees. These can be to individual gardeners, schools, community groups, and also to businesses, farmer and landowners or really anyone wanting to grow fruit.
Does fruit grow in Scotland? YES!
Scotland has a long tradition of fruit growing, dating back to Medieval times, when pears and other fruit were planted by churches and abbeys. There is currently an upsurge in interest in fruit growing and development of school orchards, and community orchards for the benefit of the wider community, as well as farms and landowners realising the commercial demand for Scottish grown fruit.
Growing fruit in Scotland has a long history, and many of the diseases of apples – such as Codling moth do not affect Scotland. So long as suitable varieties are chosen you should have no problem in growing fruit here.
For more information, and prices, please visit:
http://www.scottishfruittrees.
Pictures: James McGinty
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