Newmachar and Kingseat Community Allotments

The organisation was set up in January 2021 as a response to a demand for allotment space and community gardens for residents of Newmachar, Kingseat and the local surrounding area, with a focus on food security for all. We are also working with Aberdeenshire Council Greenspace department, currently planning to plant native wild trees, fruit trees and bushes as well as bulbs and wild flowers on specified council-owned land within Newmachar village. We are converting an under-used community garden alongside the footpath to Kingseat to an orchard, with 8 apple trees planted so far.We have recently agreed with the owners of a local guest house to convert their disused paddock into a vegetable garden to our mutual benefit.  Volunteers from our group can grow food and in return supply a portion to the house, with the surplus available to the community. In addition, we will sow a wildflower border to support pollinators. Although not officially allotments, this constitutes a valuable growing space for the community – a promising start towards our ambition. We currently have over 30 official applicants for growing space, and are still working on finding land for permanent allotments. There is a national shortage and all current council plots are oversubscribed.