A “FLOATING garden” has started its tour of the Scottish canal network, travelling from Glasgow to Edinburgh before planting itself at The Kelpies from July to September.
The Floating Garden forms part of Dandelion, a creative programme aimed at “demonstrating the power of collective action through an ambitious ‘grow your own’ initiative”.
The Floating Garden is one of 13 “Unexpected Gardens” created by Dandelion across the country.
Catherine Topley, chief executive of Scottish Canals, said: “This event celebrates the vibrancy of our waterways, which are as important to Scotland today as they were when they were built 200 years ago, and Dandelion continues our tradition of welcoming fantastic events both to and next to the water.”
The garden comprises of a floating allotment, a performance stage and a floating ecosystem cleaning the water as it goes.
Other vessels will join the tour decorated to create a flotilla of floating gardens that will stop at 10 communities.
The performance stage, the “Lochrin” workboat, is usually operated by the Lowland Canals Volunteer Group to maintain the canals.
Dandelion has borrowed the craft and repurposed it as a home for the “Dandelion Singers”, Iona Fyfe and Evie Waddell.
They will both perform harvest songs from different cultures in a variety of languages.
The Floating Garden will pass through the below locations, stopping at 5-7pm each evening, before docking at the Helix, Falkirk.
• 20 June: Hamiltonhill Claypits (Glasgow)
• 21 June: Lambhill Stables (1pm)
• 21 June: Cadder Bridge, Bishopbriggs
• 22 June: Southbank Marina, Kirkintilloch
• 23 June: Auchinstarry Marina, Kilsyth
• 24 June: Bonnybridge Lift Bridge
• 28 June: Manse Road Basin, Linlithgow
• 29 June: Port Buchan, Broxburn
• 30 June: Ronny Rusack Bridge, Ratho
• 1 July: Leamington Lift Bridge, Edinburgh Central
• 9 July - 11 September: The Floating Garden: The Kelpies
The Floating Garden will include a shed to keep important gardening supplies in, and will have six raised beds made from re-usable “pallet collars”.
Seasonal vegetables will be grown in these alongside pollinator-friendly flowers to attract insects.
The barge also has “Grow Cubes” – a form of vertical farming whereby LED grow lights are used to boost growth in the plants.
Dandelion Festivals director Neil Butler said: “We’re so excited to launch our Floating Garden as it sets off from Glasgow and embarks on its journey to Edinburgh.
“With a number of stops along the way, we hope as many people as possible get the chance to enjoy it, picking up free plants to join us in a summer of growing, ahead of the Harvest celebration in September.”
The Floating Garden programme was commissioned by EventScotland and funded by the Scottish Government.
For more information on Dandelion, visit: https://dandelion.scot/
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