Alness, on the shores of the Cromarty Firth in northern Scotland, has a heritage of floral displays and the town won many awards between 1997 and 2007. Winter is certainly not the most picturesque time to visit, yet the small town has its charms and is a pleasant place to visit. It’s a slight anachronism, though, that a town which was so obviously keen on maintaining a high standard is slowly becoming slightly shabby, with the usual array of chemists, pubs and cheap shops lining the car-laden main street. One wonders why, with so many awards and commendations until 2007, what happened to curtain the town’s enthusiasm over the last five years.
Pictured:
Bank Of Scotland Special Award (undated); Scotland in Bloom Premier Award 1997; Britain in Bloom Winner 1998; Premiere Award Reserve Scotland 1999; Scotland in Bloom Winner 1999; World in Bloom Winner 1999; Nations in Bloom Finalist 2000; Scotland in Bloom Winner 2000; Permanent Landscaping 2001; Scotland in Bloom Winner 2001; Cleanliness Award 2002; R.H.S. Gold Medal 2002; R.H.S. Outstanding Contribution 2002; Scotland in Bloom Winner 2002; A.I.P.H. Award for Horticulture 2003; B.S.I.B 2004 Horticultural Excellence; Britain in Bloom Winner 2004; Scotland in Bloom Premier Award 2004; Britain in Bloom Winner 2006; R.H.S. Gold Medal 2006; Scotland in Bloom Winner 2006.
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