National award for ‘immaculately clean’ Speyside town

Dufftown won premier Scottish award in 2013 – now they’ve added a national prize.

Years of hard work has paid off for gardening volunteers in Dufftown as their community scored a major success in the Britain in Bloom Awards.

The Royal Horticulture Society judges were clearly impressed by what they saw earlier this year as they gifted the town with their silver guilt award.

A variety of planting and variation in colour were features that most impressed the judges, who also commented on the overall cleanliness of the Speyside town.

“Just being invited to take part was exciting for us,” Anne Fraser of Dufftown in Bloom said, adding: “We were lucky in Dufftown that we have a very active volunteer community and there are a large number of clubs and groups who all complement each others work.

“We discovered just how much work is taking place by the unsung heroes and these groups who, like us, just quietly get on with the task in hand and let the results show for themselves.”

Dufftown was invited to enter the large village category following success in the Keep Scotland Beautiful competition in 2013.

A judging panel arrived in the town during July and August when they met community representatives.

RHS Judges Jim Goodwin and Nigel Bishop also highlighted the work put in by local distilleries, saying: “It appears that many support the campaign and this was complemented by the local distilleries with their wonderful displays.

“Good heritage was evident and the whole town was immaculately clean – good hospitality and a warm Scottish welcome left us wanting to return.”

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