Tayvallich Initiative

06/08/2026

A fun afternoon at the Community Garden and Orchard (the sun 🌞 came out!) … great to see the fruit trees coming along and the veg growing … and which ones won prizes at the Tayvallich Flower Show last week. And good to have a chat about plans for the coming months.

04/08/2026

Hello!

Some very lovely people have been working hard to create the Tayvallich Community Garden and Orchard and are having a get together on Thursday (6th August) afternoon at 4pm. We would love you to come and join us to see what we have been up to, come and help out -- and tea and cake will obviously be enjoyed too!

If you are interested in helping out and can't make it on Thursday, give me an email or text and we can show you around another time!

The orchard is up the gravel road at Carsaig farm, just below Tor Mhor -- google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ttDmZYQ5rLUwN8VK6 Please walk or cycle if you are able as the road up is not great for cars.

If you need directions or help to get there, please give me a text on 07810186484.

See you there, Sally and Ulla :)

28/07/2026

Tayvallich Initiative had a table at the Gala Day on Saturday — and a competition to see who could pull the most Himalayan balsam stems in a minute! Plus there were photos and updates on the Community Rangers’ work on walks, benches and skunk cabbage removal

16/07/2026

Work Party Wednesday 22nd July 10am - Let’s get the Himalayan Balsam!

We are having another go at clearing the rest of the Himalayan Balsam from the community land down the side of old Carsaig road and on the marsh where there are some lovely marsh fritillary butterflies and fabulous flora.

Over the last couple of years we have really manged to have a big impact, and less and less is there every year. Soon we can move onto the hall hillside ...

Please wear sturdy footwear and bring gardening gloves!

See you there

Sal 🙂

29/06/2026

It was a dreich Sunday but a successful pulling of Himalayan balsam plants before they flower and go to seed. Far fewer plants than a year ago, with smaller patches; good progress. “It’s like fishing, but more fun,” said Thorkil as everyone got wet in the rain.

24/06/2026

There is also a picnic table on the Old Carsaig Road near the gate at the west of the track (on the blue path), and one at the top of Cnoc Leis (on the red path)

22/06/2026

Himalayan Balsam Removal
Sunday 28th June at 3pm
Meet outside Tayvallich Shop and Café

Come along and help pull up these introduced plants before they go to seed

07/06/2026

Wellies and waders were called for at a work party on Wednesday when TI volunteers splashed down to help eradicate an unwelcome visitor from the burn running across the water meadow on the Community Land. Skunk cabbage (_Lysichiton americanus_) is native to western North America and grows in wet ground and on pond and river edges. Its large yellow flowers give off a stink of rotting meat to lure pollinating flies, hence its name. Since its introduction in to the UK, it has spread in our waterways, where it out-competes native plants and can block the watercourse.

Skunk cabbage is on the invasive/introduced plants list and banned from sale; it must not be planted or allowed to escape in to the wild.

02/06/2026

28/05/2026

This walk is unfortunately cancelled due to forecast of rain (hard to believe that the weather will change from this lovely hot and sunny spell!)