Enthusiastic orchard lovers based in the Clyde Valley.
Clyde Valley Orchards Cooperative is a group of enthusiastic orchard lovers and owners based in the Clyde Valley around Lanark.
The cooperative’s aim is to retain, maintain and replant the historic orchards of our area in a way that is relevant to the needs of this beautiful part of Scotland. The history of fruit growing in this area goes back many hundreds of years and through our work we aim to ensure that future generations will enjoy the blossom, fruit and unique landscape that has been part of our heritage for many decades to come.
Clyde Valley Orchards Cooperative are a group of enthusiastic orchard lovers and owners based in the Clyde Valley around Lanark. The cooperative’s aim is to retain, maintain and replant the historic orchards of our area in a way that is relevant to the needs of this beautiful part of Scotland. The history of fruit growing in this area goes back many hundreds of years and through our work we aim to ensure that future generations will enjoy the blossom, fruit and unique landscape that has been part of our heritage for many decades to come.
The Clyde Valley and its Orchards are an important part of our local landscape. They have seen the development of new varieties of fruit, been the source of new foods, drinks, songs and stories, and provided an income for many small and large local businesses. They have changed dramatically from their early monastic beginnings to become Scotland’s leading commercial fruit producing area in the 19th century. Since then, the markets for local fruit have slowly declined and today the orchards are in danger of being lost from our countryside. As orchards become a less common component of the landscape and many stand neglected or under-utilised, more questions are being asked about what we are losing. These orchards provide an important bank of fruit and knowledge at a time when local produce and variety is starting to be valued in new contexts. The orchards are an important feature of our landscape and provide an important resource at a time when local produce is starting to be valued by consumers.
Clyde Valley Orchards initiatives…
…planted over 2000 fruit trees in the local area – reviving old orchards and creating a new community one at Kirkfieldbank.
Set up a small production operation to process local apples to sell as juice.
Supply juice to various small outlets around the Clyde Valley.
Participate and support local ‘event’ days within the locality.
Facilitate a range of free training programmes connected with the growing and maintenance of trees/orchards.
Deliver educational talks to local community groups and schools.
Find ways to partner local groups, e.g. CCI, South Lanarkshire Beekeepers.
Contributed to local food banks during lockdown.
The importance of community.
Local people and local organisations are vital to the long term survival of orchards in the Clyde Valley. The Clyde Valley Orchard Cooperation want to hear from orchard owners as well as the wider community on how they see the orchards in the coming decades and what they would like to see done.