0:00:05 > 0:00:08Well, George, here we are on Loch Laide.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10- Idyllic.- Aye.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- But the locals call it "Latch-ay". - Oh, right.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16It's part of the Abriachan Forest wetland area,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19and it's a stunning little Highland loch.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21And it's a wee puddle compared with over the hill
0:00:21 > 0:00:26- here in the Great Glen, Loch Ness. - Nessie. Monster country.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28But this is a very important habitat, isn't it?
0:00:28 > 0:00:31It's wonderful in itself, but it has the attendant wetlands
0:00:31 > 0:00:33all round and a wonderful selection of plants.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- Well, all ready I've seen sneezewort.- Yes.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39And I've seen the blue scabious, Devil's-bit scabious.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41- Absolutely splendid plants. - Very, very diverse.
0:00:41 > 0:00:46It's just a most delightful place. It almost makes you feel poetic.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Can I just read you some lines of poetry?
0:00:49 > 0:00:53"Light, heather bells may tremble then, but they are far away,
0:00:53 > 0:00:58"Woodlark may sing from sandy fern, - the Sun may hear this lay,
0:00:58 > 0:01:03"Runnels may kiss the grass on shelves and shallows clear..."
0:01:03 > 0:01:06- Now...- Isn't that gorgeous? - Isn't that good?- Who did write that?
0:01:06 > 0:01:09That was Keats. Now, Keats wrote that after having visited Burns country
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- and, of course, Burns is your wee favourite!- Yes, indeed.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- And, surprisingly, he had words to say as well.- Right.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20In Lines on the Fall of Fyers, near Loch Ness, he wrote,
0:01:20 > 0:01:22"As deep recoiling surges foam below,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26"Prone down the rock the whitening sheet descends,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29"Still thro' the gap the struggling river toils,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32"And still, below, the horrid cauldron boils."
0:01:32 > 0:01:36God, that's... It's quite spooky and inspirational, isn't it?
0:01:36 > 0:01:40- It's one of these atmospheric stuff. - That's why we're here!
0:01:40 > 0:01:45We're heading over to Moniack Mhor to the Writers' Centre,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49where they come and are inspired by the land and the countryside
0:01:49 > 0:01:51and, no doubt, the people they meet,
0:01:51 > 0:01:56for a little garden that will just add to the facility.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59I don't see how anybody seeing countryside like this, Jim,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02would not release the lines that are in their soul.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05I mean, it's so inspirational, isn't it?
0:02:07 > 0:02:09- Just give us a wee bit of fishing. - All right.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29This is probably one of the most recognisable locations in Scotland
0:02:29 > 0:02:32and definitely one of the most picturesque.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Artists of all disciplines make the pilgrimage here
0:02:35 > 0:02:37to Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness to find a muse,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41even if she is lurking deep beneath the waters of the loch.
0:02:43 > 0:02:44What was that?!
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Well, a good few hundred feet up from Loch Ness and, wow,
0:02:52 > 0:02:56what an amazing view we have here, is the wonderful,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59ancient woodland and this rambling pathway.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05This is what I was heading for.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07It's called a shieling.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Isn't it absolutely amazing, with this heather roof?
0:03:09 > 0:03:13It's an ancient, usually seasonal dwelling
0:03:13 > 0:03:15and a stopping place for the local women
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and the children cos they used to bring the cattle up here to graze.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23It's a perfect place for them to gather together, take shelter
0:03:23 > 0:03:25and to tell and listen to stories.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36People have been inspired to write and tell stories here too,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38but for a little less long.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41The hills to the south-west is Strathfarrar
0:03:41 > 0:03:42and the north is Ben Wyvis.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44It's a stunning sight
0:03:44 > 0:03:47and you can well imagine why this landscape inspires and motivates,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51and this is the entrance to the new community garden at Moniack Mhor.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53It's nearly 1,000 feet above sea level, which makes it
0:03:53 > 0:03:56the highest community garden that we've been involved with.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59And it will have huge climate and exposure challenges,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02but the community here are keen to create an inspirational garden
0:04:02 > 0:04:04and we're here to help and to tell that story.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Since coming on site here, I have heard a whole range
0:04:16 > 0:04:19of different voices from all over the world,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22but I've found Sandra McCrae who is a local.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Tell us all about this site, Sandra.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28Well, my grandfather took over farming here in 1908
0:04:28 > 0:04:30and then my father after that,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32so, really, they farmed here for over 60 years.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- Yes.- And it was a very happy childhood. We farmed here.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39We grew potatoes, turnips and hay.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40Now, what about the gardening?
0:04:40 > 0:04:42What was able to be grown in the garden?
0:04:42 > 0:04:45At the back of the cottage here there was a lovely garden. Lots of fruit.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49Gooseberries, blackcurrants, apple trees and also caraway seed.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- Really?!- Which we used to use for baking.- We should remind ourselves...
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Well, I need reminding - we are nearly 1,000 feet above sea level.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- That's right.- Severe winters, but it shows what can be done.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- Yes, it does. - Brilliant, thanks for that.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13Kit Fraser is a co-founder of the centre. Now, Kit, why here?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Well, we certainly didn't choose here for the buildings
0:05:16 > 0:05:19because that used to be a cow barn.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20We chose it for the landscape.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23The Highlands is all about beauty.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27It's beauty that inspires words and what's great about this garden is,
0:05:27 > 0:05:31yes, we had the background, but now we've got the foreground.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34And Rachel Humphries is the centre director and project manager.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Rachel, what do you do here?
0:05:36 > 0:05:39We run residential creative writing courses
0:05:39 > 0:05:42and we can welcome up to 2,000 writers through our doors
0:05:42 > 0:05:45every year and these people could come from all over the world.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47We also work with school groups
0:05:47 > 0:05:50and other local charitable organisations.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52What do you want the garden to do?
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Well, we're in a really lucky position
0:05:54 > 0:05:58because we have two very distinct communities that we're involved in.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59We've got the writing community
0:05:59 > 0:06:01and the local geographical community
0:06:01 > 0:06:04and what we want to do is create a really inspiring garden
0:06:04 > 0:06:07that we can bring these two groups together
0:06:07 > 0:06:11and connect them and use the space for events and as a meeting space.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Now, Alistair initially came on a writing course here
0:06:25 > 0:06:27and then was asked to come up with a concept for the garden.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31- So, what were your thoughts?- I found it a very inspirational place.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34You're way up in the mountains, here, and a part of the Highlands,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37but you're only 15 miles from the centre of Inverness.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39It's also a centre of creativity and learning,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41so I wanted to bring the two concepts together,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45bringing people into the landscape in a sort of outdoor learning space.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47OK. And Kirsty is the designer,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49so how did you put that thought process
0:06:49 > 0:06:50into an actual physical garden?
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Well, Alistair and I got together and hatched up a plan.
0:06:54 > 0:06:55So, we're here.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57So we've got various design elements.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59We've got the wonderful story-telling circle
0:06:59 > 0:07:00we can see behind us.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03You've got the steps that lead you into the landscape.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07You've got the traditional cottage garden with herbaceous borders
0:07:07 > 0:07:08and fruit and vegetables.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11You've got the pond area with various marginal plants.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14And you've got the wonderful patio entrance way.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- It'll be a great welcome to the site.- It's great, yeah.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19My job is to look at the connectivity,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21look at it holistically
0:07:21 > 0:07:23and look at the connectivity and flow of the garden.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Very much like the landscape - you've got all these amazing features
0:07:28 > 0:07:29but if they didn't connect and flow
0:07:29 > 0:07:31you wouldn't have all these beautiful shapes.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33And what about the planting,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- cos it's quite an exposed site here, isn't it?- Absolutely, yeah.
0:07:36 > 0:07:37We've got lots of little personalities.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40We've got alpine planting, herbaceous planting,
0:07:40 > 0:07:42we've got sunny, sheltered areas
0:07:42 > 0:07:44and we've got some real roughie-toughies
0:07:44 > 0:07:45for the more exposed areas.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47You're 1,000 feet up here,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49so we'll see what will survive in the Highland winter.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52I think it's just trial and error, really.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Now, someone who'll know exactly what will grow in this garden
0:07:54 > 0:07:57is Don Davidson, who's been gardening his nursery at Abriachan
0:07:57 > 0:08:00for over 30 years, and Carole has been to take a view.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Well, what a view you have here, Don. It's amazing.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18But you have to be a bit of a mountain goat.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22Yes, well, the loch down there is at 50 feet above sea level.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Our back gate is at 300 feet,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26so there's quite a difference in between.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30You know it when you've walked up and down a few times.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Yes, make sure you take your gardening tools with you.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34- Don't forget anything.- Indeed, yes.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36But this is a slightly different climate, really,
0:08:36 > 0:08:41than the community garden, so some plants here wouldn't survive there.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45No. The dahlia here, for instance, and the gazanias.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49I mean, we're sort of considered in the banana belt of Abriachan,
0:08:49 > 0:08:51whereas Moniack Mhor is up in the tundra.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Yes.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Now, I love the big thistles here,
0:08:55 > 0:08:59cos they make such a focal point to this view here.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02They are hardy, but would they do OK?
0:09:02 > 0:09:05They would do all right temperature-wise,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07but the wind would batter them around a bit.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09I mean, even down here we stake them
0:09:09 > 0:09:12and I think even with staking there they'd get battered around.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Now, you are supplying most of the plants for the garden.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Yes, we are.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Let's go and have a look at some of them further up the garden.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Plenty of choice herbaceous plants here
0:09:26 > 0:09:29and they're a bit more compact, aren't they, Don?
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Yes, they are. There are several hostas going up to Moniack.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- Also, some crocosmias. - That's a lovely variety. What is it?
0:09:37 > 0:09:39That's one called 'Okavango'.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41There are several in this African series,
0:09:41 > 0:09:45but they're a little bit too tender for going up to Moniack.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48But we have a lot of different crocosmias
0:09:48 > 0:09:50and we're putting up some of the hardier ones.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Well, it gives a nice bit of late colour, just like this, too.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56That is a beauty. Which one is it?
0:09:56 > 0:10:00That's Anemone 'Pamina' and is one of the shorter varieties,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03which, again, will hopefully withstand the wind.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06And what about colour for the springtime?
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Things like the pulmonarias, maybe?
0:10:08 > 0:10:10Yes, that's a rather nice pulmonaria there.
0:10:10 > 0:10:16It's called 'Blake's Silver' and it also contrasts with the shiny,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19silver leaves of Brunnera 'Looking Glass'.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Well, Don, we're going even smaller here with the alpines
0:10:28 > 0:10:31and this persicaria, that's good ground cover, isn't it?
0:10:31 > 0:10:32Yes, it is.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36It's Persicaria vacciniifolia and it's got these lovely candles
0:10:36 > 0:10:40of pink flowers, which come out at this time of year, which is good.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- They last for quite a long time, don't they?- They do, yes.
0:10:43 > 0:10:44What else are we going to take up there?
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Well, we've got the encrusted saxifrages,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50which form nice, low mounds.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52They're nice and firm, aren't they?
0:10:52 > 0:10:54And they don't mind being covered by the snow.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Is that little sea holly going?
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Yes, that's Eryngium bourgatii 'Graham Stuart Thomas'.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03I think that is really stunning.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08So, the way to go seems to be small, compact, sturdy and hardy.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Hopefully, that will work up there, yes.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21So, Malcolm, I believe it's down to you that we're actually even here.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Yes, indeed.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26It's a wonderful place to come for lighting, but the whole garden
0:11:26 > 0:11:30was pretty dull so we thought the Beechgrove might improve it,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32- give us some ideas.- So what was this bit like before, then?
0:11:32 > 0:11:35It was dull gravel. Grass came down to it.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36You don't get a nice edge on anything,
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- so it was OK but not particularly welcoming.- No, not as an entrance.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- Not as an entrance.- I love this wall that now curves round the building.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- That's gorgeous. - Yes, it really enhances...
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Originally, the wall was just going over the beginning, there,
0:11:49 > 0:11:53but those students who were actually on the dry-stone dyking course
0:11:53 > 0:11:54actually extended it further.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- Did they get carried away? - They got carried away.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- We put a curve in. It just made it all the better.- It does.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Of course, you've got planting round the edge now,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03so that's going to sort of clothe the building a bit, isn't it?
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Yeah, it's going to take away the plainness of the building.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- They're busy putting up the trellises.- Some plants...
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Some plants. We have honeysuckle, we have clematis at that side.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14That's going to be nice, cos you've got colour and perfume.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15Yes, we certainly have.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18And as Don was saying earlier about the planting - short, compact
0:12:18 > 0:12:21and these alpines in this little planting pocket are just perfect.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- Everything about it will just make it so welcoming.- I think so!
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Now, then, Kelsey, this building looks as if
0:12:30 > 0:12:32it's been for a long time. What was it?
0:12:32 > 0:12:34It was a steading before it was redone,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36so this was where the cattle stayed.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39OK. I'm very conscious that we've also actually moved round
0:12:39 > 0:12:43to the south side of the building, which means shelter.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44Ideal for this job.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Absolutely. It's also a suntrap so it's perfect for growing herbs.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52- Yes, and quite a nice range. - Yes, we've got sage and mint, fennel.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- Very big fennel this year. - This is a Writers' Centre?
0:12:56 > 0:12:57- That's right.- Why?
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Well, we also have the writers cook their own food,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02so this is a fantastic way to teach them how to use fresh herbs
0:13:02 > 0:13:04in their cooking but also a bit about sustainability.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Yes, so you're actually feeding the brain and feeding the tum-tum.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- That's right.- Excellent!
0:13:16 > 0:13:18I've found some real willing helpers here.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20They're on a creative writing course
0:13:20 > 0:13:23and they're all the way from Canada and, well,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25it must be nice to be outside, I think.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27And we've got these plants that are going to be
0:13:27 > 0:13:28going around the pond.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33And busy working here we've got Kathy and Fiona.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35They're planting up some of the marginal plants
0:13:35 > 0:13:38and they actually came from Beechgrove, those plants there.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41Now, Brian, it's pretty obvious to me you're taking photographs.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- You're actually keeping a record. - I am, yes.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- And you've been documenting this from when?- The end of May.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48So you must have seen a big, big change.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- I've seen a huge difference, yes. - Absolutely brilliant.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Now, this pond is going to be a major feature
0:13:54 > 0:13:56and it has been a major task.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58I've got to thank our James and Callum,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01because they've worked really hard on this,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04just to actually shape it. They've even hit a bit of bedrock.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- And, Charlie, you're local to the area.- Yes.- You have a pond yourself.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- That's right. - And what have you got for us here?
0:14:10 > 0:14:11Well, I brought along a few plants
0:14:11 > 0:14:13because I wasn't sure what you might need.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16So I brought along some specimens and I'll bring more tomorrow.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Right, this is bogbean and that would be great.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21We could certainly use that in the pond.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23This is a thing I call creeping jenny.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Yes, Lysimachia nummularia is the Latin name
0:14:26 > 0:14:29and that is wonderful too. That is good.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32You can sometimes plant that in the border as well as in a moist area.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Well, it tends to grow up the side of the pond quite nicely.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37It'll be perfect. A perfect foil.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46I've come round to the back of the Writers' Centre
0:14:46 > 0:14:49and looking at what is one of the most spectacular views.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53But, of course, it's exposed round here and plants hate that.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56We've created a rock garden and between the rocks we've planted
0:14:56 > 0:15:00things which are going to really enjoy the shelter of the rocks.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01Little rock garden plants.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Things like rock roses, gentians, heathers,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07little dwarf rhododendrons, things of that sort.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09But us humans don't like exposure either,
0:15:09 > 0:15:11so come and have a look at this.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17George, tell me about this. This is a fantastic structure.
0:15:18 > 0:15:25This is a circular seated area for people to read or recite
0:15:25 > 0:15:29and you've got a bit of shelter from the wind because of the
0:15:29 > 0:15:34dry-stone wall and there'll be a seat right the way round here.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- We'd be down about this level?- Yes.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38You sit down there and a nice fire pit
0:15:38 > 0:15:40in the middle for a bit of warmth.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42The wall will continue all the way around here
0:15:42 > 0:15:45and it'll give protection from the north-west.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47But this is being done not just by you.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50I mean, you're a master craftsman. You've got this band of volunteers!
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Fantastic volunteers.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55They've been here for six sessions of two days,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58working on the circle and other walls here
0:15:58 > 0:16:00and they've been doing a fantastic job.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Now, they have to take their time
0:16:02 > 0:16:04cos this is going to last for a long time, isn't it?
0:16:04 > 0:16:08I think it'll be here long after we've gone and, hopefully,
0:16:08 > 0:16:10the centre will still be here for a long, long time
0:16:10 > 0:16:13and people will be appreciating the wall and the shelter it brings.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17They will sit here and they will look over this magnificent view.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- It's a fantastic view, isn't it? Absolutely.- And watch the sunset.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Well, from the established herb garden to a new one.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30But I assure you this is only a temporary measure,
0:16:30 > 0:16:31because on this site
0:16:31 > 0:16:34is to be built a polytunnel and, by jingo,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36it's going to have to be well battened down,
0:16:36 > 0:16:38because you can see there's very little shelter,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41but it does mean they will be able to extend their season.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Well, is it possible in this part of the world?
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Carole went to see Ellis McFadzean. Just wait till you see this.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55So, Ellis, do you find the polytunnel really useful?
0:16:55 > 0:16:58It is, aye. We were trying to extend the growing season
0:16:58 > 0:17:02and keep plants in slightly warmer and out of the wind.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04My goodness! I didn't expect this.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07It's only half a polytunnel. How did that happen?
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Well, this half faces to the south.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12There was a commercial polytunnel here
0:17:12 > 0:17:16and the heavy snows of winter 2010 collapsed it,
0:17:16 > 0:17:20so we built a rigid structure, storage for garden bits and pieces
0:17:20 > 0:17:23and a polytunnel onto the south side.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24Now, you say "we",
0:17:24 > 0:17:27but I mean you do have a slight advantage cos you're very handy.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29You are a bit of a sort of builder to trade, aren't you?
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Well, not a builder but in the country
0:17:31 > 0:17:34you have to turn your hand to various bits and pieces so, yeah.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38So it works well for you. What about the temperature and ventilation?
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Well, we've got a door at either end,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42which works very well with ventilation.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45And then the plants themselves, I mean you've got so many courgettes.
0:17:45 > 0:17:46What do you do with them?
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Well, Fiona makes a lot of jam.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Marrow and apple jam and we use the largest courgettes for that.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- Marrow and apple?- It tastes like honey, for all the world like honey.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Sounds really interesting to me. And then it's great with your onions.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00I mean, have you just lifted those for drying off?
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- Yeah, they've just been lifted. - Well, you've got a good crop.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Are you thinking about growing things over the wintertime?
0:18:06 > 0:18:09That would be the ideal, because it's a big space to sit doing nothing.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11OK, well, I've got one or two ideas for you.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14I've noticed as well that you've got some strawberries.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17I have brought a few more strawberry plants for you.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- Jim loves the variety sonata.- Right.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24That is good for an early crop, you know, in the springtime,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26because, obviously, it's getting warmer here.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29But for sowing crops at the moment,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32although this is spring onions, they are quite hardy
0:18:32 > 0:18:35and you could sow these now and get a much earlier crop.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39What about some of the Japanese stir-fry vegetables? Mizuna?
0:18:39 > 0:18:40I haven't tried those, no.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41It's a bit like a lettuce,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44but if you do stir-fry it it's really crispy.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Tatsoi is another one that you could try. And broad beans.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49Oh, right, yeah.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51So start these off now and then you'll get an early crop.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Well, you've obviously been really successful
0:18:53 > 0:18:55and I'm sure this will extend the season for you.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Excellent. That'll be lovely.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01So, Steve, you're the designer of this fantastic building.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Tell me a wee bit about the construction of it.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Well, the main consideration is to maximise the use of local materials
0:19:07 > 0:19:10like this larch that came from a local community woodland.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11This rock came from a local quarry.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Straw came from just south of Inverness.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17And the other thing was to use what's sometimes called sacred geometry,
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- which is the form, to enhance creativity using growth.- OK.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Because something like this lovely cauliflower
0:19:24 > 0:19:26has what are called Fibonacci spirals in them
0:19:26 > 0:19:29and these are actually the same as designed in the shape
0:19:29 > 0:19:32of the building and the spirals are reflected in the roof, here.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34So we have a polarity between two opposing spirals,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37hopefully creating energy which will enhance creativity.
0:19:37 > 0:19:38Well, that sounds...
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Story-telling and everything else this building will get used for.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44That sounds brilliant. Well, it's definitely a very fitting place
0:19:44 > 0:19:47for Jim, Carole and George to hear what's the story
0:19:47 > 0:19:49in some of the local plants.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Well, now, Kathy, you've been buzzing away there, busy.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53Let's just stop and answer a question.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55What's the problem you've got?
0:19:55 > 0:19:58We've got a really big problem with docken leaves in our garden,
0:19:58 > 0:20:00just like the ones down here.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- Now, you know, of course, that they are perennials.- Yes.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05And they've got roots that go very, very deep.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09And one way to do it is to use a chemical called glyphosate,
0:20:09 > 0:20:13which will kill them on the spot and right down to the bottom.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14If you don't want to use a chemical,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16then I'm afraid you're in for a lot of hard work.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19You just have to keep digging them out.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23You know, one of the ways that some people do it in a vegetable plot
0:20:23 > 0:20:25is they will agree to sort of fallow a piece
0:20:25 > 0:20:29and cover it with very thick, black polythene or an old carpet
0:20:29 > 0:20:32and actually starve it out, because if the leaves can't get light,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34the plant will die.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Well, I'm a bit worried about my cucumber plants.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41I've had a really good harvest from them, but on the stem,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44at the point from which the fruit comes,
0:20:44 > 0:20:46I'm finding white, hairy mould.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- Are they still cropping OK for you? - Still cropping, still flowering.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52It's probably a sort of mildew that's coming in.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55What about the moisture with the plant itself?
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Where are you keeping them?
0:20:57 > 0:21:02They're in a conservatory and the moisture does vary.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Simply because sometimes, if we're away at a weekend,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- they don't get watered. - Yeah, so...
0:21:07 > 0:21:09But generally they're quite well looked after.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11OK, but if they do get a bit dry,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and I think this is quite interesting,
0:21:13 > 0:21:15if you get mildews and fungal problems,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- very often it's to do with dryness rather than getting too wet.- OK.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21So make sure you keep them well watered.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25Well, we have a serious problem with our damson tree.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Each year it comes into full leaf
0:21:28 > 0:21:33and then the leaves just all curl up and we can't find what's doing it.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35You've got a plum aphid.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36They feed on the back of the leaf,
0:21:36 > 0:21:41so what you have to do is get a number of bird feeders,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43and put them into the tree and what will happen is
0:21:43 > 0:21:45that the blue tits in particular
0:21:45 > 0:21:47will come and feed on the bird feeders
0:21:47 > 0:21:49but they'll go and sit on the damson tree.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53And what they do is they'll run about in the tree,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56or hop about, and they'll find the eggs of the aphids.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07It's amazing the difference that a few miles, a bit of shelter
0:22:07 > 0:22:10and a few hundred feet down can make.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Dougie and Sue Paterson's garden is packed with colour,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16including many shades of green.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- So foliage is really quite important to you.- Yes, it is.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22I find that as much as I love flowers
0:22:22 > 0:22:25and all the perfumes that you get off them,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- they can be short-lived.- Mmm.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Whereas foliage you have all the time and this area here I've got
0:22:31 > 0:22:37the golden metasequoia and the golden foliage against the purple cotinus.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- It's a nice combination, isn't it? - It is. It's lovely.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44The cotinus is almost opaque when the sun shines
0:22:44 > 0:22:48and then on front of it here, I've got the prunus "Marbled White".
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- I don't know that form.- It's a laurel. It makes a super hedge.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55It does. And you've got it all packed together,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59- so it's fairly low maintenance. - Very low maintenance.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Yes, yes, I can actually scoot round the garden in about a day.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- Well, that's really brilliant cos it's quite a size.- Yes.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Talking about keeping down the maintenance,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08the conifers are great for that, aren't they?
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Yes, the conifers are really good. You can pack them so tight together
0:23:11 > 0:23:13and you don't need to weed in amongst them.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17And, again, you've got that contrast of foliage cover, haven't you?
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Yes, again, you've got your yellows, greens, purples.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22This is quite a contrast, though.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23Yes, a traditional herb wheel.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Somebody had a load of old bricks and I thought,
0:23:26 > 0:23:27"Right, let's try a herb wheel with bricks",
0:23:27 > 0:23:29and it's actually worked quite well.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31And the runner beans are doing really well.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33- It's a good year, isn't it? - A good year, yes.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Actually, this year I've even managed some basil outside.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- Which is amazing, isn't it? - Amazing up here, yes.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40And then that perfume from the lily.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Yes, I like pots of lilies about the garden.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45They don't need the same watering as bedding
0:23:45 > 0:23:47and they look after themselves a lot more.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00We've come right up to the house now and I can hear water
0:24:00 > 0:24:01and I think that's great.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Yes, I love to hear water in the garden,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06especially while we're sitting here on the terrace
0:24:06 > 0:24:08and we can look down on the water lilies.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10And they're looking good at the moment with the flowers,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- aren't they? - They've done well this year.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15I think this is a great combination of potted plants, here.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19Yes, I think the blue agapanthus and the limelight hydrangea,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21lovely combination.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23I have to keep the agapanthus in a pot,
0:24:23 > 0:24:25cos it doesn't like being outside in my garden.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27- OK, so you bring that in in the wintertime?- Yes.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Whereas the hydrangea limelight, it's hardy, isn't it?
0:24:30 > 0:24:31Yes, it's fine.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34It stays in a pot all year round and when you're sitting on the deck
0:24:34 > 0:24:39here on a dusky evening you'd almost think there was light shining on it.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Yeah, I think it is a brilliant plant to have in your garden.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45And then the terracing, is this a fairly recent introduction?
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Yes, it's just an idea I had. I've done this one a few years ago,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52with just flower planting for when we're sitting here
0:24:52 > 0:24:57and then the bottom one is hostas and gravel and it just took me
0:24:57 > 0:24:58a day to build it.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- You make it sound easy. You obviously love it.- I love my garden.
0:25:01 > 0:25:02Brilliant.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Meanwhile, back in the garden, things are really coming on.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24This little cottage has been crying out for a border
0:25:24 > 0:25:28and now it's got one. I love this yellow centaury. It's gorgeous.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Very natural-style planting. A real cottage garden.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34This lovely little astilbe here, fluffy, pink flowers.
0:25:34 > 0:25:35Round the back are all the edibles.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38There's redcurrants, gooseberries and some strawberries.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Now, then, when we arrived, Malcolm, you were drilling these holes
0:25:47 > 0:25:50for the trees with a compressor and a big drill.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52- Are we on the bedrock, here? - Just about, here.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58- But it's the right place for the trees.- We hope so!- Yes, yeah.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Well, we've got double stakes for strength
0:26:01 > 0:26:03and we've got them well secured.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06And as long as this base and the root ball is secured as well,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09they should be OK. But I'll tell you something,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12it's a mixed blessing the soil is really quite dry,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15because it makes it easy to work with.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18But these trees are going to need a real soaking,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21because the root ball's beginning to dry out as well.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23We'll do a bit of praying for rain for the weekend.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25JIM LAUGHS
0:26:30 > 0:26:33As you come down from the main road you come through wild countryside
0:26:33 > 0:26:37until, all of a sudden, you hit the calm of the cultivated,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39only, on a day like this, it's not very calm.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41We've had to cultivate this soil.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44We've had to add organic matter and really loosen it up.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48We've planted the plants and thank goodness for all these volunteers.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Now we're going to water it.
0:26:50 > 0:26:51Keep our fingers crossed.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59What a major transformation we have to this area.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01We've got the dry riverbed,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04the pond and all the planting going in and, well,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07that water level, it's still got to go up about three inches
0:27:07 > 0:27:10so you won't see those baskets at the end of the day.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12And I have no doubt that this is going to be
0:27:12 > 0:27:15one of the main focal points of the garden here.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Well, this has been a fantastic community project.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33They've transformed an open space into something that is
0:27:33 > 0:27:37- full of many, many destinations. - I think it's truly inspirational.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40The amount of plants that have gone in, the range of plants and I think
0:27:40 > 0:27:43it's one of highest community gardens that we've been to.
0:27:43 > 0:27:44- It is.- Might well be.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Means it's really exposed, very windy,
0:27:47 > 0:27:48so I'm going to say to you all,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52please, please water in those plants for a long time.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54The ground is very dry. I'd pick up on the same thing.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Apart from one or two of the borders where the plants in there
0:27:57 > 0:28:00have had a little bit of farmyard manure in them,
0:28:00 > 0:28:01absolutely wonderful,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03there's quite a lot of these plants have had no fertiliser.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Come the spring, they'll need a bit of encouragement
0:28:06 > 0:28:08so as well as the water, they need some fertiliser.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10I know, but what a fantastic community.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12You've been brilliant to work with.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14We have had a lovely time, haven't we?
0:28:14 > 0:28:16And the catering and the home baking, which has...
0:28:16 > 0:28:17- Yes, it has.- Mmm!- Quite right.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20We're taking over! It's been brilliant.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23And it's their 20th anniversary this year,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26so a great way to celebrate, isn't it? It's super.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28So next week, we're back in the garden,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31but until then, from all of us here at Moniack Mhor Writers' Centre...
0:28:31 > 0:28:34ALL CHEER
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd