Braid garden to be haven for wildlife

A community wildlife garden is to be built in the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve after the city council Countryside Ranger Service received £50,000 in lottery funding.

The project, with which Friends of the Hermitage of Braid have been closely involved, will see the creation of a wildlife garden within the late 17th-century walled garden that slopes south from the restored “Doocot”.

It will provide native habitats for bumblebees, moths and butterflies and will also be used as an interpretation and model garden for visitors to enjoy and get involved in its upkeep.

The ranger service, which was given the funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, will also offer wildlife identification training to help record insects such as bumblebees and butterflies which will benefit greatly from the creation of the garden.