Belford Gardens

WELCOMING GARDEN OF THANKS

Iain Ferguson

A garden created to welcome weary walkers into Fort William as they approach the end of the West Highland Way also now recognises the work of NHS staff who looked after people in Lochaber during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Appropriately situated in front of the Belford Hospital, work to create a haven of plants with a peaceful granite seating area began several years ago. Owner of a nearby guesthouse, Norrie MacLean, and volunteers from Fort William Town Team, worked hard to bring a layout conceived by local woman Maureen MacMaster to fruition. Although he now lives in Dundee, Norrie still regularly makes the journey back to tend the garden and add ongoing fi nishing touches.

Flowers, shrubs and trees were carefully selected and planted

around the main footpath and empty verge alongside the busy Belford Road, putting a living green curtain between walkers and vehicles.

A traditional archway was also erected bearing the friendly words ‘Welcome to Fort William’ with pedestrians being left in no doubt their presence is genuinely wanted.

At the end of August, a plaque was unveiled by Staff Nurse

Jasvir Robertson, watched by a group of fellow Belford Hospital staff , sponsors who contributed to the costs and representatives of Fort William Town Team whose volunteers have worked hard tidying, painting and tending plants when Covid restrictions were eased.

During this work, many passers-by stopped to talk, not only to ask questions about the plants, but also to observe just how much they appreciate the garden as they make their way to and from the town. It is also well used by out-patients, hospital visitors with time to spare and on nicer days staff take the opportunity for a quiet break amidst the vegetation with a cup of coff ee and sandwich.

The plaque is worded: ‘This plaque is dedicated to the hard-working men and women of the NHS who stood their ground and never faltered on the front lines during the pandemic of 2020. Your community thanks you’.

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