Latest news with #CommunityGarden
Times
17 hours ago
- Times
These are my favourite almost-secret beauty spots in Scotland
The North Coast 500, a loop of about 500 miles from Inverness around the northern Highlands, may only be marking its tenth anniversary this year, but it's already become the stuff of legend. Eye-popping crowds, imposing campervans, magnificent traffic jams — those superlatives once used to describe the scenery now more commonly used with a side of weary overwhelm to tell tales of overtourism. Who would want to join such a scrum? Fortunately you don't have to, because after more than a decade of rootling around back roads, clanging on to car ferries and nosing along promising-looking tracks and trails, I've found plenty of tucked-away spots across Scotland. These are some of my favourites. This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Before the NC500 brought bucket-list tourism to the Highlands, the entire northwest was like this: deafening silence punctuated by seabird calls, a solitary single-track road slowly egging you on through ancient forest and across salt-sprayed moorland. Driving on to the Ardnamurchan peninsula on Scotland's west coast, you'll hug the coast of sinuous Loch Sunart, the Isle of Mull swinging in and out of view as you coil around chunky Ben Hiant and onwards to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse and Corrachadh Mòr, mainland Britain's westernmost craggy reach. It's worth pushing northwards to white-sand Sanna Bay for a bracing dip in turquoise waters, then stopping at West Ardnamurchan Community Garden's honesty shop for salad leaves and homemade sauces. Mingarry Park has contemporary bedrooms with private hot tubs, local venison for dinner and endlessly distracting mountain B&B doubles from £181 ( • Scotland travel guide At the far northern reaches of the Scottish mainland, the land seems taken over by water, pooled with lochs and sodden with bogland as the triangular wedge of Caithness and Sutherland extends into the North Sea. It's also often overtaken by NC500 road-trippers, rushing through on a loop that never veers too far from the coast. They're missing the real highlight: the UK's newest Unesco world heritage site, the Flow Country. These peatlands are like nowhere else on earth. Take the boardwalk through Forsinard Flows nature reserve and you'll see why, the colours underfoot shifting like an opal in the light as the wildlife darts out to meet you. You'll spot lizards, frogs and dragonflies plus birds aplenty and can climb the lookout tower for a hen harrier's view of it all. Forsinard Lodge has straightforward rooms a short amble from the nature B&B doubles from £115 ( Getting to Britain's most northerly inhabited island is an adventure in itself, leapfrogging via ferry from Shetland's mainland first to Yell, then on to Unst. Once you're here it's all big skies and broad landscapes, from creamy windswept beaches up to clifftop moorlands, with a generous scattering of Viking longhouses (at least 60) and even a spaceport licensed to send small rockets into orbit. For now, though, those skies are the preserve of the seabirds (puffins, gannets, guillemots) and dark enough by night to see the Milky Way or even the Mirrie Dancers from August to April (Shetlandic for the northern lights). One of Britain's most northerly country houses, Belmont House, has cosy bedrooms with a touch of Georgian grandeur, walled gardens and candlelit B&B doubles from £180 ( Calm waters dotted with tiny rock islands, romantic ancient castles and a climate gently warmed by the Gulf Stream make the Appin peninsula just north of Oban ideal holiday territory. Here you could paddleboard on tranquil Loch Linnhe, take the boat over to Castle Stalker for a tour with the family who own it or stroll the octagonal walled garden at Kinlochlaich, blooming with vivid rhododendrons and azaleas. My top pick, though, is the Isle of Lismore, which rises to barely more than hillock height between the peaks of Morvern and Mull. It's a cracking spot for gentle walks with mountain views, as listed in detail on the Walk Lismore website ( and in summer is carpeted in wildflowers. The Pierhouse on the shoreline in Port Appin has views from the beds over Loch Linnhe to Lismore and local seafood B&B doubles from £155 ( • 16 of the most beautiful places in Scotland Sometimes decline means preservation and Cromarty's lack of modern industrial success — not to mention its location just off the choked NC500 on the Black Isle near Inverness — has left it largely unmessed-with since its 18th-century heyday. That means plenty of grand Georgian merchants' houses and clustered fishermen's cottages, given a buzz in more recent years by the regular dolphin-spotting trips leaving from the harbour. These ply the sheltered Cromarty Firth in search of marine life, weaving around a quasi-parking lot of unused oil rigs that form an atmospheric backdrop. There's a buzzing arts scene here too, with exhibitions, live music and even sewing classes open to all at the Old Brewery, plus a seafront community cinema. Stay at the Factor's House B&B, its three bedrooms arranged around an almost 200-year-old home with views over the private gardens to the Cromarty Firth waters B&B doubles from £185 ( Despite being one of the best places in Europe to spot bottlenose dolphins, this slice of Scottish coastline near Inverness attracts a mere sprinkling of tourists. Why? You'll wonder as you winkle around in postcard-worthy villages that tumble down to ancient fishing harbours and burrow your toes into the sands of vast Findhorn beach. You'll want to visit Cullen for a bowl of the town's famous smoked haddock soup, Cullen skink, of course, plus cliff-clinging Findlater Castle; but if it's those dolphins you're after, among the best spots is Burghead, where the whitewashed visitor centre looks out over waters rich with marine life including dolphins, seals and whales. The former coaching inn, the Seafield Arms in Cullen, has stylish bedrooms with just-subtle-enough tartan decor, a lounge for whiskies beside the fire and easy strolls to the Room-only doubles from £150 ( • I love Scotland more than anywhere else. These are my 25 top stays The single-track road may initially lack promise: a ribbon of tarmac plunging along a furrow in the landscape. But persist through the steep-sided grey of Glen Valtos on Lewis's far west coast and eventually you'll emerge at the most incredible beach you've ever seen. A bold claim perhaps, but Uig Sands has that effect on people, generally rendered speechless by this expanse of golden sand, deposited and smoothed to a sheen between one set of hills and the next by the retreating Atlantic. You'll romp, you'll whoop, you'll write in the sand — then it's time to head to wee Abhainn Dearg Distillery for a dram of whisky, and to wait for an incredible sunset. Afterwards, continue enjoying the view from Uig Sands, a restaurant with rooms that stares out across the beach and serves seafood suppers fresh from the Room-only doubles from £120 ( Ripples of sand rush up to meet you before a delicate thud and a gentle spray of seawater herald your arrival into Barra on the world's only scheduled beach landing. The second-southernmost of the inhabited Outer Hebrides islands defies easy pigeonholing: is it remote because it's 60-odd miles west of the mainland, or accessible because it's a one-hour direct flight from Glasgow? Either way, it's a beauty — its shell-rich beaches backed by tufty machair grassland, its largest village, Castlebay, low-slung around a curved shoreline that protects the offshore medieval stronghold Kisimul Castle. Take a coastal hike to spot seals basking on the rocks of Seal Bay and view a rainbow of summer wildflowers blooming in the machair. The Castlebay hotel in the centre of the village has simple sea-view doubles, Barra seafood dinners and trad music in the B&B doubles from £125 ( If the waters off Coll were Mediterranean not Atlantic, the island would be overrun, and the price you pay for its tranquillity is that near-constant breeze keeping your jumper in place. Despite its exposed location to the west of Mull, though, Coll clocks up some of the highest sunshine hours in the UK, tempting visitors to the beach (there are more than 30), onto boat trips to look for basking sharks and out for corncrake-spotting strolls through the RSPB reserve. It's a Dark Sky island too, with virtually zero light pollution to detract from the stars, while dinner is taken seriously here and might feature local lobster and brown crab alongside Coll-reared Hebridean lamb. The Coll hotel is the hub of the community and has bright and breezy rooms, creel-caught seafood and free bikes for B&B doubles from £145 ( Where have we missed? Let us know about your favourite under-the-radar Scottish spots below
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mercer Co. Food Bank celebrates 4th annual Community Garden Kickoff
SHARON, Pa. (WKBN) — The Mercer County Food Bank celebrated its fourth annual Community Garden Kickoff on Saturday. The family-friendly event included rock painting, flower planting, games, storytime and hot dogs for lunch. The food bank started the community garden in 2021 through the Lots to Love Program, a partnership between the City of Sharon and Community Action Partnership of Mercer County. The garden has eight beds with different fruits and vegetables such as peppers, red raspberries, tomatoes, onions and garlic. People in the community can easily get the fresh produce. 'You can kind of see the neighbors behind us. They love having this here. they love the ability to take whatever they need, and honestly, on the volunteer and food bank side, it's just another way that we can give back. If we're not supporting our community and lifting up our community, then there is no community,' said Alexis Spence-Locke, development director for the food bank. The garden is on 4th Avenue in Sharon, across from the Buhl Club. Next Saturday, May 31, the food bank will have its Stuff the Truck event from 1 to 3 p.m. at D'Onofrio's Food Center in Hermitage. Tino DiCenso contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Experience 8 great community events in Sutton this Spring 2025
With Spring in Sutton comes a refreshing wave of community events that showcase all the charm and togetherness the town has to offer. Outdoor festivals, cultural celebrations and other activities are available for everyone during the warmer months. This spring in Sutton, here is a roundup of eight exceptional events that will help you connect with your neighbors and get the most out of the season. Sutton Spring Festival Sutton, known for its luxurious lifestyle, hotels, and casino gaming, attracts players around the world who love to enjoy at physical casinos or online ufc betting gaming sites. The town's annual Sutton Spring Festival kicks off the season on a high note. With a full day of activities for the whole family, the festival happens throughout the weekend. Held in Sutton Central Park, this popular tradition over the two days showcases local food vendors, craft stalls and live music by local talents. Children will have access to face painting, carnival games and a play area with inflatables. The festival ends with a community picnic, where residents can share meals, stories and enjoy the festival. The free event, which is running for both days, consistently draws more than 5,000 visitors, making it Sutton's biggest spring occasion. Community Garden Launch Day The Sutton Community Garden opens its gates for 2025 growing season on April 26. This special launch event invites gardeners of all experience levels to learn about sustainable growing techniques. Experts will lead workshops on spring planting, composting and garden planning throughout the day. Visitors are welcome to take home free seedlings. Starting at 9 AM through 3 PM, the event, held at the Community Garden on Elm Street, is ideal for getting your hands dirty and meeting new fellow gardening fans. Sutton Arts Walk Art lovers won't want to miss the Sutton Arts Walk, which takes place every Saturday in May month. Local galleries, studios and cafés open their doors to showcase works by neighborhood artists. Visitors can take a self-guided stroll through Sutton's historic downtown, pausing to enjoy exhibitions that range from paintings and sculptures to photography and mixed media installation. Many of the artists will be on hand to discuss their work, and some venues serve snacks and drinks. Maps for the Arts Walk are available at the Sutton Community Center and on the town website. Taste of Sutton Food Festival Foodies can experience the sweet and savory of Sutton's amazing culinary offerings. More than 30 local restaurants, bakeries, and specialty food producers will be on hand to serve up small plates and tastings at Sutton Fairgrounds. This year's festival features cooking demonstrations, a local chef competition and workshops exploring international cuisines. Sutton Heritage Day This Sutton Heritage Day event is educational and fun, celebrating Sutton's long history with historical reenactments, traditional crafts demonstrations and guided tours of historic buildings. Local historians will tell stories from Sutton's past and there will be live demonstrations of butter making, weaving, blacksmithing and more that bring history to life. The event runs around Sutton Historical Museum and Village Green with a small entry fee, all of which goes to preservation of the building. Spring into Fitness Community Field Day This health focused festival host's group exercise classes, sports competitions and fitness challenges for all ages and abilities. Local fitness instructors will conduct yoga, dance fitness and circuit training sessions over the course of the day. Kids can join in relay races, obstacle courses and age-appropriate sports events. Health professionals will be present to provide wellness information and brief health assessments. Sutton Spring Market For fans of shopping local, the Sutton Spring Market provides a treasure of handmade goods and locally crafted products. More than 50 vendors will line Main Street to sell everything from artisanal jewelry and apparel to home décor and gourmet food products. The market emphasizes sustainability, as many vendors offer earth-friendly goods and packaging. The festive vibe includes live acoustic music and food trucks. Multicultural Music Festival Finally, the spring event season wraps up with the Multicultural Music Festival on June 7-8 in Sutton Park. This multi-genre celebration of diversity features performances from various musical traditions around the world. Traditional folk dances and contemporary fusion music ensembles highlight Sutton's growing cultural diversity with a wide range of performances. Adding to the experience, there is also international food stalls. The festival will take place from noon until 8 PM each day, with all proceeds supporting local cultural and education projects. These springtime events are a wonderful way to experience what makes Sutton so special. So take your places and gather with fellow-residents to celebrate the season through food, art, music, history — and the joy of connecting with your neighbours outdoors.
Axios
12-03-2025
- General
- Axios
Composting for the Everglades: New project to benefit Miccosukee garden
Your food scraps could be used to help support the Everglades through a new partnership between the village of Pinecrest and the Miccosukee Tribe. Why it matters: Instead of dumping food waste into crowded landfills, which produce methane emissions, the Everglades Earth Cycle Project will expand Pinecrest's residential composting program and deliver nutrient-rich soil to the Miccosukee Tribe. Driving the news: The project, funded with a $400,000 federal grant and other contributions, calls for installing four new composting bins in Pinecrest and three around Miami-Dade County District 7. The initial phase of the program will supply compost to the Swampy Meadows Community Garden, which grows vegetables just outside the Miccosukee Indian School. Another proposal that's been floated is adding new soil to the Everglades' tree islands, though that would need tribal approval, says the Rev. Houston R. Cypress of the Love the Everglades Movement, a partner in the program. What they're saying: Cypress told reporters on an airboat ride through the Everglades last week that the tribe teaches "the essence of being in harmony with nature is giving back to it." With the Everglades Earth Cycle Project, "we're giving back clean and healthy soil; we're giving products that might eventually improve the water quality out here, but we're also giving directly back to local indigenous communities here," he said. How it works: Pinecrest already has two free public composting bins, one at the Pinecrest Public Library and another between the Community Center and Pinecrest Gardens. The new program, in partnership with Fertile Earth Worm Farm, will add seven more to the village and lower-income areas of District 7. You can compost food scraps, including prepared foods, meat and dairy, per Pinecrest's composting website. Also OK: food-soiled papers like pizza boxes, coffee filters and napkins. Plants, untreated wood and soil are compostable — but flowers aren't. Stunning stat: Since Pinecrest started its composting program in late 2023, it has created over 90,000 pounds of compost, per city spokesperson Michelle Hammontree. The bottom line: Hammontree said composting is a natural alternative to building another incinerator for Miami-Dade's trash. "You're taking the food waste, you're turning it into compost, you're putting it back into the environment — here it would be the Everglades — and then the Everglades is giving you clean water so you can continue living this life that we have."
