Unfortunately it doesn’t look as if we’ll have any meetings this year but there is good news on the gardening front with garden centres due to open on 6th April.
So we can start planning our new borders and tubs and pots displays.
I thought, in the spirit of the COPS Conference in Glasgow later this year, we could consider making our gardens much more eco friendly as well as growing more of our own food, as a pleasurable way of contributing to the climate cause.
As an easy starter, we could leave our grass longer or not cut it all and see how many wild flowers appear.
That’s a much more eco friendly approach than using astroturf if you don’t like cutting grass!
This would be great for insect life which we need for pollination of everything.
For the spring, common bulbs are life-savers for insects - snowdrops, crocuses, grape hyacinths, bluebells, then hellebores , primroses, oxlips and shrubs like mahonia and flowering currant. We must not forget fruit trees and their blossom.
We could also concentrate on adding bee and butterfly friendly plants to our tubs using peat free compost. In general, single simple flowers are better for bees to access the pollen, so you could avoid the newer double varieties of things like marigolds and petunias- bees like the paler flowers. Busy Lizzies, nasturtiums, cosmos, and french marigolds are attractive to bees.
I think we all know about buddleias and butterflies but there are many more border plants to consider, such as wallflower, sedums, salvias, lavender, monarda, catmint, geraniums, echinacea, asters, scabious, foxgloves, verbena bonariensis, dahlias - single or semi double are best, Annuals such as snapdragons, nicotiana, cornflower, calendula, and cosmos are very bee friendly as are herbs such as chives, borage and oregano, which also have pretty flowers.
Perhaps the editor would allow us to share gardening tips in a column in the Bridge so we can all learn what works locally. Maybe we could start with growing our own vegetables as I know there are lots of local experts!
Meanwhile happy gardening!
Jan Silburn
Coronavirus Emergency - Our Community Responds
Special editions of the Bridge have been published, featuring contact and support information. New - find out what services our essential local businesses are able to offer on our Online High Street
Dunkeld and Birnam Horti Club
Featured Stories
A9 Dualling Updates
Go to downloads
The next A9 Community Group meetings will be on Thursday 29th April and Thursday 27th May (also... Read more
Spring Forward If You Live In The PH8 Area
Community Matters – we need you!
It’s been a long winter. More than a year of restrictions on normal life... Read more
April Nature Notes from Loch of the Lowes
At present, Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve are closed due to Covid 19 restrictions.
The staff... Read more
Birnam Arts - an Update & Plans for Re-opening
Following the latest Scottish Government announcement, I am pleased to confirm that Birnam Arts plans to re-open in the week... Read more
Dunkeld Community Archive
The Dunkeld Community Archive plans to reopen on Monday, 26 April. Opening hours will be Monday to Friday, 10am to... Read more
Royal School of Dunkeld Our Lockdown Book
To mark a unique year, the pupils at the Royal School of Dunkeld have put together Our Lockdown Book, together... Read more
Regular Columns
Editorial
30-03-2021 Regular Columns
I asked the boys what would persuade them to fill in the PH8 survey about the future of our community... Read more
Notes from a Councillor
30-03-2021 Regular Columns
Hands up all those who were delighted to hear this week’s announcement that some of the Covid restrictions are set... Read more
Thought for the Month
30-03-2021 Regular Columns
Every year, Christians try to follow, in our imaginations, the journey Jesus makes to Jerusalem, the cross and beyond. The... Read more
Editorial
10-02-2021 Regular Columns
It’s interesting to see how much news we have despite the lockdown. When I started putting The Bridge together, I... Read more
Thought for the Month
10-02-2021 Regular Columns
“There is a tendency for us to flee from the wild silence and the wild dark, to pack up our... Read more
Notes from a Councillor
10-02-2021 Regular Columns
Great personal news yesterday as my Mum received her Covid vaccination. 81 years young and part of the 99% of... Read more
Editorial
26-11-2020 Regular Columns
Chaos reigns here at Meikle Logie Farmhouse with the arrival of wee puppy Sandy. She has turned the kitchen upside... Read more
Thought for the Month
26-11-2020 Regular Columns
How often do we hear ‘and surely that’s what Christmas is all about!’ It’s for the children, it’s family time... Read more
Notes from a Councillor
26-11-2020 Regular Columns
As far as strange years go, 2020 has to rank amongst the strangest in my life time!
After my horrendous... Read more
Editorial
29-10-2020 Regular Columns
If you had asked me a year ago what ‘Zoom’ was I would have said that it’s a three coloured... Read more
Thought for the Month
29-10-2020 Regular Columns
During our present experience of living and dealing with a Pandemic, people express many and diverse reactions as to what... Read more
Notes from a Councillor
29-10-2020 Regular Columns
Still In Lockdown 7 Months On
Who would have thought the corona virus would still be affecting our lives. We... Read more
Editorial
30-09-2020 Regular Columns
So, dear readers, welcome back to the ‘new normal’ Bridge? Does this mean we’ve to the other side of the... Read more
Thought for the Month
30-09-2020 Regular Columns
“Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles... Read more
Notes from a Councillor
30-09-2020 Regular Columns
Well life is so different from the last time I wrote an article for the Bridge around the turn of... Read more
Community News Items
Community Council News and Minutes
This page contains minutes and other items of interest from the Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council, from January ... Read more
In Situ Climbing
We are In Situ Climbing, a climbing and mountaineering shop, trading in Dunkeld for over 4 years. We’ve spent the las... Read more
Community Council Matters
If you would like to contact the Community Council you can do so by emailing: dbcc.correspondence@gmail.com or email ... Read more
Proactive Housekeeper/PA Seeks Live-In P…
Organised, super-flexible, proactive housekeeper/PA seeks live-in position in Perthshire
Extensive experience wi... Read more
Lock it or Lose it!
Following the break in at Laggan Wolf Trax and The Wee Bike Hub, Laggan and the theft of 12 Mountain Bikes Police Sco... Read more
The Meeting Place
Meeting Place and Duchess Anne Lunches suspended until further notice.
Please note that the Meeting Place nor th... Read more
Planning Applications - Dunkeld House Ho…
Perth & Kinross Council www.pkc.gov.uk
Dunkeld House Hotel Planning Application - 14 Self Catering Cottages... Read more
Dear Editor - Safe Access Across The Tay
Dear Editor
There has been a lot of talk about an alternative crossing for the Tay given the dangers posed by he... Read more
Three Churches Charity Shop
We hope to welcome back our volunteers and customers as soon as Covid restrictions allow.
Opening hours Wednesda... Read more
Messy Church - Messy Easter Event
Plans are being made for a ‘Messy Easter Event’ via zoom on Easter morning at 9.30am.
Usually we would have an E... Read more
Men's Breakfast
The men’s breakfast has been meeting weekly by zoom on Wednesday mornings at 9am. Obviously the bacon rolls are not s... Read more
Fellowship Group
Over the period of Lent, the regular Fellowship group has taken a break and instead there has been an ecumenical Lent... Read more
Church Services
From the end of March it is going to be possible for public worship to take place again. The Church of Scotland congr... Read more
Support Worker Vacancy at the Corbenic C…
Exciting new vacancies at the Corbenic Community.
News From Craigvinean Surgery
Regular update from Craigvinean Surgery.
Doctors Surgery
ur Doctors Surgery will be open as normal wi... Read more
Balsam Pulling
It’s official - It’s all about climate change and ecosystem conservation. Check out the Nature Scot website. https://... Read more
Lockdown Quiz - Answers
Many thanks once again to the Nicoll family for the local quiz.
Please see answers to the questions posed in the... Read more
Dunkeld & Birnam - A Climate Friendl…
Let’s make Dunkeld and Birnam a Climate Friendly Community!
Get inspired by the Horti’s column and share your id... Read more
Dunkeld and Birnam Horti Club
Unfortunately it doesn’t look as if we’ll have any meetings this year but there is good news on the gardening front w... Read more
Dunkeld and Birnam Climate Café
Our Climate Cafe brings people together to talk about what action we can all take to prevent climate change.
Ev... Read more
Stronger Communities Update - 22nd Febru…
This week’s update is filled with a variety of interesting learning opportunities from cyber resilience to understand... Read more
West Stormont Woodland Group Press Relea…
Community Consultation: Have your say on plans to bring two Perthshire woodlands into Community Ownership.
... Read moreA Vision for the 2020s - Your Community …
There’s a strong sense the world will be much changed when Covid restrictions finally recede. “Getting back to normal... Read more
Dunkeld And Birnam Community Growing SCI…
At the present time we have suspended all sales from the gate because of the Covid restrictions and the current spell... Read more
International Award for Deaf, Daft and D…
In 2017 I set off across the Outer Hebrides of Scotland with my ditsy mare Connie and my deaf dog Pip. The quest was ... Read more
Niel Gow Memorial
The memorial to fiddler Niel Gow was installed in Little Dunkeld on Thursday 10th December, at a location on the Birn... Read more
West Stormont Woodland Group Update …
Working with local people to bring Taymount Wood and Five Mile Wood into Community Ownership. Click read more for lat... Read more
Painted Rocks Are Local Gems
Lockdown, opening up, tier 2, tier 3, restrictions to face, guidelines to follow… one way we’ve stayed healthy, socia... Read more
Good Quality Toys Needed For Re-Gifting
For the first time in 8 years there won’t be a Santa Day Toy Fair. However we are asking the community to donate toys... Read more
Manager Of The Scottish Deli In Dunkeld …
In More Ways Than One... Six years ago, The Scottish Deli manager Jane Saba from Dunkeld stepped into the role of ret... Read more
Candlelit Late Night Christmas Shopping
Friday 11th December, 4pm to 8pm. Dunkeld’s Atholl Street as you’ve never seen it before! We’ve tried to conjure up t... Read more
Battle of Dunkeld Marked
The 330th anniversary of the Battle of Dunkeld was marked by two local residents last month.
Morag McMartin laid... Read more
Unwelcome Visitors
Our traditional warm welcome is not extended to grey squirrels and it’s time to show them the (trap) door.
In th... Read more
Community Action Plan
Over recent years, many communities across Scotland have decided to develop a Community Action Plan which refle... Read more
Letter from Lord-Lieutenant for Perth an…
Dear all
I write as Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Perth and Kinross and on behalf of the Queen to express my... Read more
PH8 Coronavirus Group
What we’ve delivered and what happens next:
From the germ of an idea in the week before lockdown to a large mult... Read more
Sport & Active
Dunkeld and Birnam has a wide variety of sport clubs and activity groups which welcome participants of all abilities... Read more
The "Horti" Continues to Bring…
New pictures to bring spring into your home. With thanks to Erin, Christine, Jan and Moira.
For many... Read more
Happy 110th Birthday to Jessie Sinclair
Ahead of the date Scheme Manager Briony McDonald (left) put out a message to the PH8 Community that she was after a m... Read more
Highland Perthshire Communities Land Tru…
2020 AGM and Open Meeting
John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, was at Dùn Coillich commun... Read more
The Dunkeld Deer Management Forum
The aims of the Dunkeld Deer Management Forum (DDMF) are:
To collaborate as responsible professionals in meeti... Read moreDunkeld And Birnam - Scotland’s First Wa…
Dunkeld and Birnam has been officially recognised as Scotland’s first water efficient village after collectively savi... Read more
Not Another Tick Box Exercise! Ticks And…
As we move into summer, it is important to be aware of the risk of ticks and transmission of Lyme Disease.
Anec... Read more
What Has Been Going On At The Guide Hall…
Since November a small miracle has been happening at Dunkeld Guide Hall, turning the building into a resource fit for... Read more
Birnam Oak Receives Support From Lancash…
Pupils from a Lancashire Secondary School rallied round to raise funds for the historic Birnam Oak. The tree is the l... Read more
New sculpture in the Cathedral
On August 19th. a new carving in the Cathedral was unveiled and dedicated. It has been placed on the north wall under... Read more
Poets Corner - October
Noo' Simmer Dim has slipped awa,
And Nicht's are drawing in;
Tis Nature's time tae draw a braith,
Afo... Read more
Balsam Pullers Making A Difference
Dunkeld and Birnam Balsam Pullers
The Monday morning group have been pulling this non-native invasive pla... Read more
Dunkeld & Birnam UnPlugged 2018
Get ready for Unplugged 2018, 2nd – 9th September 2018!
Click here to visit the Dunkeld & Birnam Unplugged w... Read more
Tools With A Mission
Thank you, all of our members and friends, who have given generously to this cause. This year we have collected bags ... Read more
Bible Society
Thank you so much for all your donations for the Bible Society. I have recently been able to send £56 collected in St... Read more
A9 Co-Creative News
Outcome of A9 Co-Creative Stage 5 vote
The results of the “Big Decide” voting (between 23rd June and 2nd July) ... Read more
Making it Happen in and around Dunkeld
Volunteers who have been “making it happen” in the Dunkeld area were celebrated at an volunteer appreciation evening ... Read more
Arts News
Linocutting Workshops with Linda Farquharson
New Linocut Workshop Dates
Contact linda@linocut.co.uk or call 01350 723330 to arrange a time & date.
All Covid safe... Read more
Artist in Residence at Birnam Arts
Late last year we released a call to the arts community with an invitation to apply for our first studio-access... Read more
Dalguise Meditation Group
People come to meditation for different reasons. Sometimes they are going through a particularly difficult or worrying time, looking for... Read more
Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition
We would like to thank the Griffin and Calliacher Community Fund for their support in helping to fund a new... Read more
Titles by Talented Locals - The Birnam Reader
Visit The Birnam Reader in Station Road, Birnam to view/purchase copies of the books or request a special signing.
Opening... Read more
Join Just Singin’ in Fun Evenings of Song
Now that the days are starting to draw out and there’s a hint of springtime on the horizon, why not... Read more
Do You Have A Broonie Living Near You?
Is there an unsettled spirit roaming your neighbourhood or perhaps a witch performed their dark arts nearby? Have you ever... Read more
A History of Birnam Arts
We’re appealing to all our local community for any memorabilia – stories, photographs, or anything you think might be relevant... Read more
Birnam Arts Events
Birnam Arts has an amazing ongoing programme of one off performances, exhibitions and workshops. Just use the scroll bars to... Read more
Young Roving Reporter
Young Roving Reporter
01-12-2017 Young Roving Reporter
On Tuesday two of our Citizenship Groups, The Eco Explorers and The Outsiders, went to find out about tree felling... Read more
Royal School Of Dunkeld Marks 450 Years
23-02-2017 Young Roving Reporter
The dark February evenings have been brighter than usual for residents of Dunkeld and Birnam. Throughout the month, The Royal... Read more
This term the whole school is learning about tourism in Dunkeld & Birnam
23-09-2014 Young Roving Reporter
The classes are learning in different ways to promote tourism where we live. Nursery, P1, P1/2 and P2/3 are looking... Read more
DANGEROUS CORNER
01-11-2013 Young Roving Reporter
Congratulations to Aidan, this month's winner of a crisp £10 note.
On the road opposite... Read more
Skate Park Update
01-07-2013 Young Roving Reporter
Thanks to everyone who has been supporting the idea of having a skate and bike park in Dunkeld & Birnam... Read more
Well Done Callum Ross
01-07-2013 Young Roving Reporter
Hi everyone, Rivendell Care Services, Birnam, where my mum works decided to have a prize raffle for Alzheimer Scotland, as its such a great... Read more
Ski-ing Trip
08-04-2013 Young Roving Reporter
At the Royal School of Dunkeld all the P6s got to go on a ski-ing trip to Glenshee for two... Read more
Rumor Round Up
08-04-2013 Young Roving Reporter
Some of you will have read my article a while back talking about a possible skate park.
I mentioned about getting... Read more
Skate Park?
25-06-2012 Young Roving Reporter
It would be great if a skate park could be built in Dunkeld or Birnam – somewhere we could walk... Read more
Dunkeld and Birnam Brownies PGL Trip
25-06-2012 Young Roving Reporter
Dunkeld and Birnam Brownies went on a exciting trip to pgl in Dalguise and stayed for two... Read more
Sport & Active
Dunkeld and Birnam Bowling Club
30-03-2021 Sport & Active
The Bowling Club is planning to open this season in line with guidance.
We are looking for ANY new members... Read more
Dunkeld and Birnam Sports and Leisure Hub
18-08-2020 Sport & Active
Future Usage Masterplan
Phasing:
Phase 1: Refurbish tennis courts and add basketball hoop and netball court (complete)
Phase 2: Build... Read more
Annual “Robbie” presentation to Royal School of Dunkeld
26-11-2019 Sport & Active
On 30th September the school held a special assembly at which Kate Stansfield, Robbie Melvin’s mum, presented this year’s cheque... Read more
Tennis Club to Re-Open
29-08-2019 Sport & Active
From Friday 29th May 2020 Dunkeld and Birnam Tennis Club will be open for members to play in accordance with... Read more
Recreation Club Votes To Transfer Assets To Sports And Leisure Hub
29-01-2019 Sport & Active
On 13th January 2019 the members of the Dunkeld & Birnam Recreation Club voted by 36 votes to 6 to... Read more
Muckin’ good 2019 Event Programme
29-01-2019 Sport & Active
Muckmedden, Perthshire’s self-styled purveyors of ‘muckin’ good mountain bike events, have announced an exciting line-up for 2019 that includes the... Read more
Ospreys Meet Their Match at the Blairgowrie Festival
25-08-2018 Sport & Active
Veteran rugby team, Dunkeld Ospreys, visited Blairgowrie for their biggest and most enjoyable fixture of the season. This oldies game... Read more
WalkIN’Perthshire
09-05-2018 Sport & Active
If you would like to try Nordic Walking and join our fun friendly Adventure Walks or Workout Walks please contact... Read more
New Basketball Hoop at the Rec Club
09-05-2018 Sport & Active
The new basketball hoop at the Rec Club is getting plenty of use.
The Rec Club are delighted to announce... Read more
New Path and Bike Pump Track at Royal School of Dunkeld
01-12-2017 Sport & Active
The school is pleased to announce a very exciting new development in the playground. We have just completed the construction... Read more
Remembering Robbie
27-10-2017 Sport & Active
On Friday 29th September the Royal School of Dunkeld again remembered former pupil Robbie Melvin who died in a tragic... Read more
Dunkeld & Birnam Veteran Football
31-08-2017 Sport & Active
On 18 August, a hearty squad of Dunkeld & Birnam veteran (mostly) footballers headed the short distance for an 11-a-side... Read more
Highland Perthshire Ladies Football Club
01-07-2017 Sport & Active
Highland Perthshire Ladies Football Club welcomes any new players in the area who would like to join us for training... Read more
Welcome to the Sports Hub!
26-05-2016 Sport & Active
Our aims are simple - but great...
1: To transform the lives of people in the villages and surrounding areas through... Read more
Community Council News
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