Largs: Viking Garden Open Day attracts visitors from across Scotland

The garden's volunteers helped co-ordinate the big day, on Saturday, which was blessed with glorious sunshine.

Viking garden volunteers Alistair and Morag (Image: Newsquest)

Head volunteer Colin Golightly said: "It has been absolutely brilliant - we have had people from five different station gardens as far as Linlithgow and Cardross visiting. It is all about sharing ideas. We had about 25 people from other stations and an equal number of volunteers and members of the Largs public who are always keen to get into the gardens.

"The sunshine was a big help and it has just been wonderful with people who are interested in gardening.

Largs Organic Gardens secretary Colin Golightly was delighted with successful day (Image: Newsquest)

"Over the years the garden has evolved very well and was shown to its advantage thanks to the weather and is something for the community to be proud of.

"The community payback team were also here on Saturday morning and the gardens wouldn't be the way they are without their help."

Areas across North Ayrshire have been transformed by people carrying out unpaid work as part of community payback orders. People carrying out community payback orders have been held to account and supported to reconnect and contribute to their communities.

And visitors to the Viking Garden were then shown around the likes of Douglas Park, which has also been a big boost in recent years thanks to community volunteers - or went for an ice cream at Nardini's - as the area received a local tourism boost.

They were most appreciative of the visit - and took to social media afterwards to praise Largs and what it had to offer.

One visitor said: "What an amazing set up at Largs Railway Station - well done to all the volunteers. The sun was shining, there was a Viking boat, a giant Thistle and a chess board, what more you could ask for?"

And another who enjoyed the day said: "Largs has an absolutely beautiful Viking Garden - the volunteers have done an absolutely amazing job."

The community garden was launched in 2017 after donations from North Ayrshire Council and Magnox at Hunterston, while Largs boatbuilding lecturer Martin Hughes and his team from the Maritime Museum and the apprentices recreated the prow of the Viking ship which used to stand outside the Viking Cinema in Largs - and is the centrepiece of the attraction.