Thurso In Colour

George Mackay Brown called Thurso "small grey town by the sea" but there always has been colour if you know where to look.

 

Thurso always has had beautiful flowers provided by Highland Council tended by dedicated gardeners and voluntary groups. We are blessed still to have the colourful Sir John's Square which welcomes all to Thurso as they arrive by the A9, but other petalwork has dwindled over recent years partially because of lack of funding, partially because of lack of volunteers.

 

After the success of the Thurso Roses and other splashes of colour around town in an otherwise year, Alexander Glasgow has constituted a group. We plan to continue into 2022 and make it a bloomin' success, and are pursuing a number of funding opportunities.

 

But bouquets of donations always are welcome. They also give the donors a sense of ownership of the flowers planted. Our current projects include sourcing spring bulbs and cherry blossom trees and even a flower clock.

 

Any size of bouquet will help provide more plants.

 

All across Caithness and the Far North, visitors bring money into our communities. They stay in our hotels and B&Bs. They eat in our restaurants which serve wonderful food from both the salt and the glaur. They buy from our local shops.

 

They take home wonderful memories.

 

Much of our local economy is related directly to tourism, in one way or another.

 

If the sight which greets you as you arrive in an area are beautiful tubs, sumptuous beds, and verdant hanging baskets on buildings, car parks, and along the pavement, then you know you are somewhere which is well cared for, where the citizenry are happy, and what matters really matters.

 

It lifts their spirits and gives a feeling of wellbeing and happiness. The citizenry feels comfortable and safe and this in turn makes them want to stay and retain their seedcorn for future years.

 

Thurso is the second largest town on the NC500, and the largest north of Inverness. This gives tourists an opportunity to see the wonderful sights all across northern Scotland. But just as we should not be just a stop off point for Orkney, we should not be a turning point for the rest of the NC500.

 

We are blessed to live in a beautiful town and fantastic county, with fresh air, amazing brochs and cairns, fascinating history, open muirland, and rugged coastal walks.

 

Long white nights in summer. The dancing colours of the Northern Lights in winter.

 

Before Corona, this brought visitors to us in their droves. If we want them to return and stay here and to return year after year, we need to provide that little bit of additionality to make Thurso more appealing than anywhere they visit.

 

This is a little bit extra which increases the joy of living in a community.

 

It is not just about our visitors, making Thurso look amazing is great for everyone who lives here too. The floral displays really lift the spirits and make all of us smile.

 

That only can be a good thing, can it not?

 

All donations will be ring-fenced and local suppliers prioritized.