The Neighbouring Orchard is a new project for Art Walk Porty – an art festival based in Portobello, a coastal suburb of Edinburgh. The project was launched in May 2020 and will create a network of socially distanced apple trees in front gardens and shared gardens, linking together different neighbourhoods and communities. At a time when we are physically distant from each other we look to planting trees as a way to forge links with people in neighbouring streets and suburbs. This individually planted, socially distant orchard will be rooted in community and as the trees grow, bud, blossom and fruit we will look forward to a time when we can gather together to enjoy the harvests.
The trees will be planted in front gardens or shared gardens, ensuring that they are visible to the wider community, acting as markers for people on daily walks, seen from bus windows and from other household's windows. The apple varieties we are offering each have a historic link to the area, having previously been grown in local orchards in the 19th Century. The Neighbouring Orchard trees will form a network across individual gardens, linked together by bees and other pollinators who will fly between them.
To register interest
We have been thrilled with the response to this project. All available trees for our first phase have now been allocated. However, if you would like to put your name down for a future tree, we are looking to extend the project to have more trees available from later in the year. Please do email with a short description of your available garden space and its location to appletrees@artwalkporty.co.uk.
Project Background
The Neighbouring Orchard is a continuation of artist Annie Lord's residency with Art Walk Porty. In 2019 she researched historic orchards in the area including a walled orchard in Portobello in the late 19th Century and the grounds of Pinkie House, Musselburgh. The apple varieties planted as part of The Neighbouring Orchard were once grown in these and other local orchards. The new apple trees will link back to past orchards, mark our present experience and look forward to future growth.
The Neighbouring Orchard is supported by the National Lottery Awards for All.