It is half-term and I am just back from a lovely weekend visiting friends in Aberdeen. We took a trip to Hazelhead Park on a beautiful sunny day. Spring was in the air, the birds were singing and the crocus’s were in bloom. The park was buzzing with activity. I took note of how happy everyone was. They were chatting between one another and smiling and everyone was so relaxed. Green Health in action.
Last week I had the opportunity to visit “The Plock” in Kyle of Lochalsh. A peninsula West of the town that has recently been taken into to community ownership by the Kyle of Lochalsh Development Trust. They have great ambitions to create health & wellbeing opportunities and build on the existing footpath networks and viewing points in the future. There are long term aims to create a pitch-n-putt golf course and a viking village, creating a really great place for locals and tourists to access.
On the day I visited, Development Officer, Joanna Wawrzyczek, gave me a guided tour and we saw seals and evidence of otters feeding on crabs in the area. There were many people out using the space.
Photo of a outdoor notice board made of wooden boards with a landscape behind it. The noticeboard features details of an area called “The Plock”, a part of Kyle’s Community Parkland 
Photo of Development Officer, Joanna Wawrzyczek standing beside a stone pathway in a rural outdoor area. A nearby wooden sign has the text ‘To the Meadow and Shore’ engraved on it. 
Photo of a moss and grass area with the remains of a crab, possibly consumed by a sea bird. 
Photo of rocks along a seashore. In the far distance, some seals are enjoying calm weather. 
Photos of three small boats in a calm bay. One is a sail boat, one is a rib with an outboard engine. The other is a small motor boat but looks unused. 
Photo of a stone plinth overlooking a road bridge and surrounding waters. The plinth features a metal sign with an embossed view of the cullins in the background and the text ‘Plock of Kyle’.
We discovered that both Joanna and I were Zoology graduates from Aberdeen University (though many years apart). Joanna then went on to do a Masters in Ecosystems Services at Edinburgh University. This is a concept I remember studying over 20 years ago and a reminder, once more, that the concept of Green Health is not a new one – though perhaps crossing into the mainstream more – which is a good thing.
More information on the plans at “The Plock” can be found on the Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust website.
Green Health Partnership Developments:
- We are now creating a fantastic library of Green Health photographs on our Flickr account.
- We have a sub-page created on the Highland Community Partnership website which contains our partnership minutes and papers.
- Mapping of Green Health activities across Highland is getting underway.
- Our Logo is in development.
- Plans are forming for a Green Health Week 22nd- 29th April 2019.