A visit to Firth Community Garden, Finstown is a pleasure at any time of the year. In early September there is still warmth in the air and soil. The shelter of this magnificent garden allows plants to flower, leaves to start to turn and berries to form, creating an extraordinary palette of colour.

The garden area located behind the Firth Church in Heddle Road, was donated by the Firth family and officially opened in 2002. It received funding support from Orkney Islands Council through the Community Development Fund, the Scottish Government, and it is one of the thousands of projects in Orkney which benefited from EU funding.

The planting is inspired by its designer Jocky Wood, and all the people involved in its maintenance, who keep this garden such a joy to walk through, deserve the utmost praise.

For those with mobility issues there is a small parking area within the park but there is something special about walking up Heddle Hill and from the bustle of the public road entering the peace of this space.

There are formal areas and wild areas to explore. Seats and paths to take as you explore the different sections of the garden. In September the garden was buzzing with insect life and bird song. For every gardener a visit here will provide inspiration for your own gardening.

Fiona Grahame