PICTURES: ‘Wonderful’ turnout for coronation tree planting at Culbokie Green
Close to 50 members of the Black Isle community turned out to celebrate a ceremonial tree planting at Culbokie Green on Friday May 10.
The special one-hour ceremony, organised by Culbokie Community Trust, culminated in the unveiling of a newly planted hawthorn tree and plaque to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III.
Culbokie Community Trust chair Paul Wadge welcomed attendees before Becky Richmond of the Black Isle Partnership spoke about the vision for the Black Isle.
The official unveiling of the coronation tree and plaque was then carried out by Lord-Lieutenant of Ross Cromarty, Mrs Joanie Whiteford.
A prayer of dedication and blessing followed, led by Rev Carol Rattenbury of the Church of Scotland, before Mr Wadge closed the ceremony.
Mr Wadge said: “We couldn’t have had better weather with the recent rains being replaced by sunshine and some welcome warmth. All of the feedback that we’ve received has been extremely positive both about the event and the development of Culbokie Green.
“It’s wonderful that the work of creating Culbokie Green has resulted in Culbokie being selected as the site for the Coronation Tree for Ross and Cromarty.
“Being invited to host the event in celebration of the coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III, can only help in raising the profile of Culbokie and of the work we are doing to develop this previously unused area of land in the centre of the village.
“We hope this will help us in securing future funding to take the development of ‘The Space’ (a mixed-use building with office space and treatment rooms) and the Café to fruition.”
Lord Lieutenant Whiteford commented: “In celebration of His Majesty King Charles III Coronation, a tree was gifted to each Lieutenancy area. I chose Culbokie Green as the ideal location for the Ross and Cromarty tree due to the exceptional efforts of everyone involved in creating something very special for the village.
“I hope it will be appreciated by future generations as both the tree and the wider development matures to its full potential.”
Black Isle councillor Sarah Atkin said: “It was a fabulous Friday down on Culbokie Green for the unveiling of the Ross and Cromarty coronation tree and plaque. It was also great to meet her deputy, Angus, and catch up with others too.
“Well done to Culbokie Community Trust and the community for what they’ve achieved - and will continue to create - in this space.”
Youngsters from Black Isle Youth Development were also in attendance, closing out the day with a piping performance from Fortrose Academy pupils Adam Urquhart and Gregor Phillips.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We were delighted to be invited along to the unveiling ceremony of the coronation tree and plaque for Ross and Cromarty celebrating the coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III
“Our biggest thanks to Adam and Gregor, our bagpipers who did an amazing job of entertaining everyone. A great afternoon was spent with Mrs Joanie Whiteford, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, Angus and all of the Culbokie Community Trust and attendees.”
