THE flickering wings of a green-veined white butterfly catches the sunlight as it works its way along a flower bed at the Tillicoultry Community Garden.

The sheltered, sunny aspect of this garden makes it an ideal spot for butterflies, aided by the continual procession of emerging flowers throughout the year, which ensures an abundance of nectar.

I wander further on, and by a brilliant red poppy, a small cluster of marmalade hoverflies has gathered.

This really is a wonderful place to visit, and earlier the same week, I had caught up with Eleanor Nicolson, one of the volunteers looking after the garden, who was busy planning the Tillicoultry Garden Open Day, which will be held this Saturday, August 10, from 10am to 1pm.

She told me that it promises to be a great family event, with there being a diverse range of stalls, fun and games to enjoy.

Attractions include displays from the Butterfly Conservation Trust, Transition, SSPCA, British Trust for Ornithology, Rock Garden Society, Gartinny Nursery, Men’s Shed, The Conservation Volunteers, and Lush handmade cosmetics.

These displays will provide visitors with the opportunity to experience floral art, as well as creating plant pots with paper, making plant milk, recycling wood and metal, and identifying birds. There will also be quizzes, and book and plant sales.

“The general theme for the open day is enjoying nature and upcycling redundant materials for use in the home and garden,” Eleanor said.

The garden has been shaped with wildlife very much in mind, including a ‘bug hotel’ where all kinds of mini-beasts can shelter, bird feeders and the planting of a variety of native plant species such as crab apples and dog roses.

The garden, which belongs to Tillicoultry Parish Church, is a great testament to the dedication of a small band of volunteers who carefully tend it as a valuable amenity for the local community.

The Tillicoultry Community Garden Open Day, Saturday 10 August, 10am to 1pm. Admission is free.