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EVENTS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24

  • A family-friendly morning of garden-themed activities at Breadalbane campus library. Celebrating the renewal of the little library garden  - make your own mini herb garden, themed Bookbug session for under 5s, storytelling, crafts and activity sheets. You can also help yourself to cuttings from the herbs growing in the herb corner. Information will also be available about the Perthshire Seed Library. Free, donations welcome, no need to book.

  • Biodynamic Garden Camserney open day and tea making using herbs from the garden that you can pick yourself – learn about this project’s biodynamic agriculture and community ethos and celebrate its 10th year. Breath and movement sessions plus tea in the garden at 10.30am; talk on biodynamic gardening and tea in the garden at noon. Veg and plants for sale.  Booking at www.biodynamiccamserney.com. Donations of between £5 and £10 invited.

  • Tombreck Farm tour with tea and cake, Lawers, 2pm-4pm – see the workings of this farm which produces meat, fruit, vegetables, eggs and also has goats, horses, ducks, bees, a wee farm shop, and find out about the flax trial. Produce to buy. Tours and tea free, but book using Eventbrite link.

  • Aberfeldy Manifesto coffee morning, Aberfeldy Town Hall, 11am-12.30pm – for people interested in revitalising the amazing work of Dr Yellowlees and his Aberfeldy Manifesto, created 50 years ago, which advocated growing more food in and for our community, and protecting the environment of the area. Free, no need to book.

 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25

  • Soil to Slice – a collaboration between Little Trochry veg farm and Luigis Pizzeria to celebrate good food. Includes food, drink, entertainment and tours. Entry £5, details and booking at www.littletrochry.co.uk

  • Found food – foraging: what to pick and what to do with it?' join Charlotte Flower for a seasonal foraging walk around Aberfeldy, pick goodies and then Charlotte will show how to process and preserve the foods found. 2pm to 5pm, £10, booking via Eventbrite link.

 

MONDAY, AUGUST 26

  • Errichel open morning, 10am. Visit this local small scale farm with ethically reared, native rare-breed livestock -  Shetland cows, Shetland sheep, Large Black pigs, a variety of poultry and ponies, and the orchard, and find out about our ‘slow food, farm to fork’ ethos. The walk and talk is about 90 minutes and covers some uneven ground.  Good footwear and clothing for outdoors (waterproof and a warm layer) essential. Free to attend, booking via (0)1887 820850 +44 (0)7974 171 699 or enquiries@errichel.co.uk

  • Screening of Fungi: The Web of Life and Q&A with biologist and author Merlin Sheldrake at the Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy, 7pm. Much of life on Earth is connected by a vast, hidden network that we are only just beginning to understand. Out of sight, between the world of plants and animals, another world exists-the kingdom of fungi.. Tickets from £6.50, booking via birkscinema.co.uk/films-events/films/fungi-web-of-life

 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27

  • Fungi foray, Grandtully, 10am to 2pm – enjoy a walk through the woods with expert Duncan Pepper to find and identify fungi in our area. Tickets £5, book via Eventbrite link. Tea and coffee provided, but bring your own lunch.

  • Eating wild – is it healthy? Charlotte Flower will talk about eating only wild foraged food as a participant of the Wildbiome project last year. Takes place at Handam shop, Aberfeldy, 7.30pm. Includes a few wild food tasters and refreshments. Tickets £5, via Eventbrite link.

 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST28

  • How to grow the perfect potato – a workshop with John Marshall from the Royal Highland Educational Trust. An interactive session on growing a crop of potatoes – covers heritage and modern varieties, the future, soil and more. Takes place Aberfeldy town hall, 2pm to 4pm. Free but booking via the Eventbrite link.

  • Community gardening open chat, 11am, Glen Lyon Coffee Shop, Aberfeldy. For people interested in growing or wanting to learn how to grow. No booking required, free.

  • Seed saving introduction - have you ever considered where the seed inside your seed packets come from? Or are you interested in increasing the resilience, adaptability and biodiversity in your garden? Join us for an introduction to seed saving with Scotland's only commercial vegetable seed producer Seeds of Scotland. Little Trochry Farm, 10am to 2pm, tickets from £65, includes seasonal farm lunch. Book at www.littletrochry.co.uk

  • Heart of Scotland Herb Society is holding a ‘Herbs: Health: Happiness stall in The Square, Aberfeldy, 1pm to 3pm. Meet ‘The Herbies’ for a chat, useful information, recipes, plants and other fun. Live music from Edis Bowden and his local ukulele band. No booking required.

  • Cultivating oyster mushrooms workshop - join expert mushroom producer Lou Fearns for a workshop on how to grow mushrooms inside.  Learn about the wonderful oyster mushroom and create your own kit to grow at home. 6pm to 8pm, Blackhaugh community farm, Spittalfields. £20, book via the Eventbrite link.

  • The potato: it’s journey from the Andes to Aberfeldy, with John Marshall from Royal Highland Educational Trust. Tracking the potato through time and sharing my lifetime potato experiences around the world from a Perthshire farm to the Andes taking in three years of the Chelsea Flower Show. Aberfeldy town hall, 7.30pm, free but booking via the Eventbrite link.

 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29

  • The Field tour, Dunkeld , 11am - come and learn about this highly productive community garden from those involved. Free, booking required via Eventbrite link.

  • Food for People and Planet – a local perspective speakers event. Find out more about the Aberfeldy Manifesto, a food plan written in 1974 by Dr Yellowlees, and local experts will discuss what the global issues surrounding food growing and producing means to us as a community and what we can do to eat well. Aberfeldy Town hall, 7.30pm, free but booking via the Eventbrite link.

 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

  • Little Trochry open day and farm walk – 10am to 3pm, no booking required, teas and cake available.

  • Fungi foray - join local fungi expert Lilla Valatr for a walk to identify fungi in the Aberfeldy area.  11am to 1.30pm, £5, book via Eventbrite link

  • Film night at The Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy – screenings of two documentaries Hungry for Change and Food for Thought, followed by a Q&A with local experts. 7.30pm, tickets from £6.50, booking via The Birks Cinema

 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31

  • Blackhaugh Community Farm open day and market - farm produce, food, crafts and farm tour. Spittalfields, 11am to 2pm, no need to book.

  • Tombreck market garden volunteer session, Lawers – a hands-on way to learn about the agro-ecological way to build healthy soil and produce great veg. Plus after building up an appetite, you can sample a curry made from farm veggies. Tasks can be adapted to abilities. Bring your own gardening gloves, wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Free, 2pm to 4pm, booking via the Eventbrite link.

  • Weed free gardening – an introduction to the no-dig method. 10am-1pm, Blackhaugh Community Farm. Join the Taybank Growers Co-operative for a workshop that will introduce you to no-dig gardening and explain why this is good for soil life and plant health. Tickets £15, book via Eventbrite.

  • Biodynamic Garden Camserney open day and tea making using herbs from the garden that you can pick yourself – learn about this project’s biodynamic agriculture and community ethos and celebrate its 10th year. Breath and movement sessions plus tea in the garden at 10.30am; talk on biodynamic gardening and tea in the garden at noon. Veg and plants for sale.  Booking at www.biodynamiccamserney.com. Donations of between £5 and £10 invited.

  • Community feast – local food BBQ plus music,quiz and games at Ailean Chraggan Hotel, Weem. £15, book via the Eventbrite link.

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

  • Farmers’ market in Aberfeldy, 10am to 2pm

  • Errichel open morning, 10am. Visit this local small scale farm with ethically reared, native rare-breed livestock -  Shetland cows, Shetland sheep, Large Black pigs, a variety of poultry and ponies, and the orchard, and find out about our ‘slow food, farm to fork’ ethos. The walk and talk is about 90 minutes and covers some uneven ground.  Good footwear and clothing for outdoors (waterproof and a warm layer) essential. Free to attend, booking via (0)1887 820850 +44 (0)7974 171 699 or enquiries@errichel.co.uk

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VENUES

A number of commercial and community enterprises as well as hobbyist growers have kindly agreed to show people around their gardens and farms

 

ABERFELDY

  • Errichel Farm, Crieff Road, PH15 2EL: Saturday to Tuesday, August 24 to 27, 10am to 4pm, and Friday to Sunday August 30 to September 1, 10am to 4pm. Cattle, pigs, sheep, orchard, poultry. Parking, toilets, shop. Uneven ground and some steps to the orchard, but there are areas in the main gardens and some animals that can be accessed by wheelchair/mobility aid users. enquiries@errichel.co.uk

  • Mains of Murthly Farm, PH15 2EA: Thursday August 29,10am to noon. Fruit, beehives and sheep, berry picking and tasting. Footpaths accessible to prams and wheelchairs. Parking in farmyard, bus stops 1.5 miles from farm, toilets at Spirit of the Wood. Working farm so under-16s to be supervised. Please call Nicky in advance for meeting place and time - 07734486960

  • Anna and Tom Sibbald, Hawthorn Cottage, Old Crieff Road, PH15 2DZ: Saturdays August 24 and 31, 2pm to 5pm, and Monday August 26, 10am to 5pm. Private garden with raised veg beds and fruit trees. Parking at the top of Old Crieff Road, past the cottage hospital. Look out for Open Gate banners as sat nav can take you to the wrong location. 91 bus stops near by. Accessible to wheelchair users although some slopes. 

  • Emma Burtles, Sylvan, Urlar Road, PH15 2ET: Thursday and Friday, August 29 and 30, 1pm to 3pm. Private garden with veg and fruit. Parking and toilet available, 10 minutes walk from town centre for people arriving by bus. Accessible to wheelchair users. 07881 991176

  • Hannah Knight, Strathlea, Taybridge Terrace, PH15 2BS: Friday, August 30, 10am to noon. Private garden with pond, mini orchard and mini allotment. Short walk from town centre for bus users or on-street parking. Toilet available. A few steps and gravel path, but it is possible for wheelchair users to access with help. 07400194848

  • Margaret Thomas, Tighnabruaich, Taybridge Terrace, PH15 2BS: Saturday and Sunday, August 24 and 25, 11am to 6pm. Private garden with polytunnel, greenhouse,  raised beds and a beehive. On-street parking, walking distance of buses and town centre, toilet available. Accessible to wheelchair users although gravel drive and step to access the toilet. 01887 829710 or 07484 722752

  • Colin Carmicheal, Selma, Old Crieff Road, PH15 2DH: Thursday August 29, 10am to 2pm. Private garden with fruit and veg. On-street parking, bus passes front door. Slopes and steps, not accessible to wheelchair users. 07762424792​​

  • Susie Lumsden, 30a Chapel Street: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday August 26, 28 and 31, 2pm to 5pm. Driveway container vegetable gardening. Bus stops nearby, on-street parking, accessible access. 07779 411119

 

GRANDTULLY

  • Grandtully Primary School, PH9 0PL: Tuesday August 27, 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Outdoor classroom with fruit trees, herb planters and wildlife area. Parking behind Grandtully hall, near bus stop, toilets available, accessible to wheelchair users. 01887822499

  • Ballintaggart Farm, Grandtully, PH9 0PX: Wednesday August 28, 10am to 4pm. Kitchen garden, orchard and hens. Parking and toilets available. The farm is not level, email charlotte@ballintaggart.com to discuss accessibility

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​DULL~CAMSERNEY~KELTNEYBURN

  • Imogen Karas, White Gables, PH15 2JJ (between Dull and Coshieville): Thursday August 29, 10am to 4pm; and Friday and Saturday, August 30 and 31, 2pm to 5pm.Or by appointment 07885 313177. Come and see our new hebcrub. Indoor and outdoor vegetables, using the no-dig method. Toilets and parking available. Steep bank so please be careful, not accessible to wheelchair users

  • Camserney community garden: every day from Sunday August 25 to Sunday September 1, 10am to 4pm. Community garden currently being restored. Parking for about 3 cars, turn off to Camserney Farm, just after crossing the Camserney Burn on the B846 west of Aberfeldy. Dogs on leads, children to be supervised. Mostly accessible, but there are trip hazards and steep slopes. Breadalbanecg@hotmail.com

  • Balhomais Farm, PH15 2JE: every day apart from Sunday September 1, 9am until late. Mixed farm, harvesting from field will be taking place. Parking available, 91 bus passes the entrance, or there is a lovely walk along the River Tay from Aberfeldy – pass through the gate after the Farleyer fishing hut, follow the sign pointing to the path down to the veg sheds. Veg shed open, cash and card. Mainly flat ground, but off-road. 07768 873865

  • Audrey Litterick and Andrew Walker, Dalnashian, Keltneyburn, PH15 2LQ: Any day expect Tuesday by appointment 07895 178865. Private fruit and veg garden. Parking for one vehicle. Garden located just under half a mile west of the Smithy Gallery. Not accessible to wheelchair users

 

​KENMORE~LAWERS

  • Kenmore Primary School, PH15 2HL: Thursday August 29, 1.30pm to 3pm. Small school garden with raised veg boxes and a polytunnel. Parking and toilets available. Steep slope, uneven ground. 01887822430

  • Wendy and Willy Graham, 1 The Courtyard, Tombreck Farm, Lawers, PH15 2PB. Saturday August 24, 2pm until 4pm. Private garden with small polytunnel, greenhouse and raised beds. Parking available at top of track or in courtyard near farm shop. Toilet available. Garden accessible to wheelchair users. 07791330428

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​DUNKELD~SPITTALFIELD

  • The Orchard, Dunkeld: open access at all times, community orchard (apples, plums and soft fruits) free to pick your own. dunkeldbirnamorchard@gmail.com

  • Blackhaugh Community Farm, Spittalfield, off the B9099: open every day 11am to 4pm. A community managed 43 acre farm with a self-guided trail. blackhaughcommunityfarm@gmail.com

 

Tours, talks and tastings: food growers open gates to visitors all around Highland Perthshire

Food growers are due to open their gates to visitors in August as part of Highland Perthshire’s very first Open Gate Festival. Organised by Aberfeldy’s Healthiest Town project, the festival aims to encourage people to eat more local, healthy food by showcasing the best of what is being produced in the area.

 

Dozens of growers and producers have signed up to the 10-day festival – from farms and professional market gardens to foragers and hobbyists – to open their gates to people for tours, talks and tastings (scroll down for a list of all the Open Gate venues and times and dates of openings).

 

Running from August 23 to September 1, there will also be lots of events, including workshops on growing mushrooms, foraging and preserving food, a community feast and two film nights (scroll down for a list of all the Open Gate events and booking details). There will be specific workshops and farm visits for schools. 

 

Aberfeldy resident Emma Burtles, who is spearheading getting this event off the ground, said: “Part of Healthiest Town’s campaign is about inspiring people to eat better, real food. We are becoming more aware about how our food choices impact our overall wellbeing and the importance of eating a diet rich in plants.

 

“In this area we are so lucky to have an abundance of great produce – for instance, one of the specialities at Tombreck Market Garden in Lawers is the flower and herb salads, which contain about eight different plants in each bag, including some many of us wouldn’t necessarily know as edible, such as purslane, calendula and nasturtium.

 

“Little Trochry Farm, Dunkeld, specialises in growing heritage vegetables from ancient seed types, which give different, wonderful flavours, textures and colours to the usual types found in supermarkets.

 

“Open Gate is about showing that off, encouraging us to eat more of what we grow here, enticing people with exciting recipes and hopefully even motivate more of us to grow our own or get involved in community food projects.”

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Explore the full list of Open Gate venues and events below.

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