Butterflies key to new farm look

Wasteland at Gorgie City Farm is to be transformed into a bee and butterfly reserve.

A lottery grant of 8757 will allow staff and volunteers to create new habitats for threatened species and to raise awareness of conservation issues among visitors.

Community garden project assistant Emma Burnett said the plot would be given a whole new lease of life. "We have a corner of the farm which is at the moment just a really horrible-looking plot, but it will be transformed completely. At the moment it's quite a steep slope, so it will be terraced so people can walk around and look at the things we've planted.

"We'll be planting lots of different wild flowers and will also be building boxes and various different things for the bees and things to live in."

She said the farm's volunteers would help to design and plant the area over the coming year. "We'll hopefully also be working with schools, nurseries and youth groups, letting people know about the importance of bees and butterflies, and letting them know that bees are declining at the moment. We really need them for pollination for lots of different plants so if we didn't have them we could lose a lot of flowers, and people need them for their vegetable gardens, so there are lots of different benefits. We want to try and let people know about that while having fun."

Butterfly species which zoo staff hope to attract to the area include the peacock, pictured left, red admiral, small tortoiseshell, large white, small white, and the orange tip.

The farm is one of six projects benefiting from the Big Lottery's Community Wildlife fund. Also celebrating is The Central Scotland Forest Trust, which received 10,000 towards its plan to turn Harperrig Reservoir in West Lothian into a local nature reserve. The money will be used to create public footpaths and instal information boards for visitors.

The trust's sustainable development officer, Gillian Barrie, said: "We are delighted to receive this funding as it will enable us to improve access to this special local place and enable more people to enjoy the setting and wilderness Harperrig Reservoir offers."

The Wheatfield Community Backgreen Association, based just off Gorgie Road, also benefited from the fund, receiving 3000 to extend its community garden.