A community garden described an 'oasis of calm' has been officially opened following the transformation of a patch of land next to an Inverness supermarket.

It has taken two years of hard work by volunteers and offenders on community payback orders to create Holm Grown next to the Tesco store in Dores Road.

The end results were celebrated with its official opening by Inverness MP Drew Hendry and Esme Martin, a pupil at Holm Nursery.

• Community food growing project to celebrate transformation

• Watch: Holm Grown in Inverness takes root in the community

• Preparing the ground for growing plan

Murray McCheyne, chairman of Holm Community Council, said it had been a wonderful experience seeing the garden come together over the last two years.

"The amount of support and assistance we have had from so many local business and volunteers has been just superb," he said.

"It has been truly remarkable.

"Of special note is the help we’ve had from the community service team of Highland Council.

"Seeing the project tangibly benefit from those fulfilling community payback orders has definitely been a 'win, win'. Those guys are fantastic."

He said donations included compost from Munros Nurseries and Scotbark, and equipment and labour from Willie Matheson, Calum Fraser, Scotbuild, Brandon Landscaping and Northern Recycling Solutions.

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Mr McCheyne said week in, week out, a team of dedicated volunteers had tended the garden, helping with the digging, building, planting, watering, weeding and other things that come with a garden.

"The end result of that hard work is there now for all to see – a tranquil space for all to enjoy," he said.

"A more unseen element of it, but perhaps for me the best part of all, is having seen friendships formed.

"Holm Grown is about a group of volunteers coming together to benefit the wider area. In doing so not only have they helped provide an amazing community space but they have had lots of laughs as we have got to know each other as well as a strong sense of personal satisfaction from all that has been achieved."

Among those attending the opening were Inverness Ness-side councillors Alasdair Christie and Jackie Hendry.

Visitors were invited to leave comments in a book to mark the occasion.

"I've loved visiting the garden over the last couple of months and seeing things grow (The verbena! The runner beans! The fennel! it's all amazing!) - it's been a little oasis of calm during quite a busy stressful time," said one woman.

Another said: "What a lovely space and community effort. I love passing through and enjoying the peace. Well done everyone."

One visitor described it as a brilliant enterprise, adding: "Young folks can get an idea of how food is grown."

Holm Grown hopes to host seed swaps and plant share events and "how to" sessions in the future.

Volunteers gather each Tuesday from 6pm-8pm.

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