A Mearns community garden celebrating the “voyage of life” with a dramatic lighthouse has been praised by a church leader at its formal opening.
In an effort to draw visitors to the seaside town of Inverbervie, a group of volunteers decided to commission a series of public artworks with public participation.
And Brighter Bervie’s latest creation was applauded by the moderator of the Church of Scotland during an official visit to the A92 community.
The Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison and his wife Marion visited the former piece of waste ground beside Bervie Church in dazzling sunshine, where much of the planting has already started to bed in, and planted a commemorative tree.
The moderator said: “I’m not much of a gardener myself, but I do love a garden.
“And on as nice a day as this, it shows you what it will be like in the summer. It will be tremendous. We have a son in Aberdeen and will definitely come back to see how it’s getting on.”
Efforts to create a “pocket park” in the royal burgh’s heart were featured on the Beechgrove Garden TV series last year the only community garden to be included.
It was designed by Julian Dowle, a nationally recognised landscape artist who has won multiple gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show.
He became involved after Brighter Bervie members Tom and Liz Campbell visited one of his projects for the Salvation Army.
Mr Campbell explained: “Julian was very taken by the idea of designing our garden, which is entitled Voyage of Life. In some ways, Julian is its spiritual father.
“Hopefully many readers will be attracted to visit Bervie and appreciate the garden as it matures and becomes fully established.”
The centrepiece of the garden is a glittering lighthouse built by sculptor Debbie Ryan.
“What we wanted was a focal point to the garden,” she said.
“It wasn’t to be lit, so we had to use reflective glass to give the impression of a lit piece.
“It’s based on all the hard work of the volunteers of Bervie, and I think it’s a fantastic garden.”
The Morrisons were presented with bouquets from Bervie School Gardening Club.
Their visit coincided with the imminent retiral of parish minister the Rev Dennis Rose, who will perform his last christening in April.
Fresh work begins on the garden on March 1 and the group are looking for more volunteers.
Anyone interested can turn up on Tuesdays at 1.30pm and Thursdays and Saturdays at 10am.