On 11th September, Holyrood hosted the 16th annual Apples Day, organised by John Hancox of Scottish Fruit Trees. The event brought together growers, educators, and conservationists to highlight the value of apples in Scotland’s schools, communities, and heritage.
Supporting School Orchards
John Hancox opened the day by reflecting on his work establishing orchards in schools since 2008, beginning in Dunkeld. He spoke about the long-term impact of these projects—how children return year after year to pick apples from trees they helped plant, building a lasting connection to nature and food growing. Apples, he noted, are especially well-suited to the school calendar, making them a practical and rewarding crop for educational settings.
Safeguarding Skills and Varieties
The event also served as a platform to raise awareness about the risk of losing traditional fruit-growing skills and heritage apple varieties. Under the Scottish Apple Project (SAP), efforts are underway to preserve these through education, planting initiatives, and community engagement.
Voices from the Next Generation
Pupils from Edinburgh Academy shared their experience of growing apples and producing juice in their school garden—a project that’s been running for over a decade. Their enthusiasm underscored the value of hands-on learning and the role of food growing in education.
Local Innovation and Heritage
John Birchmore from Sustainable West Linton presented a range of community initiatives, including:
- A heritage fruit project supported by the Borders Forestry Trust
His work highlights how local engagement and digital tools can support conservation and education.
- A “rent-a-tree” scheme and pick-your-own orchard
- A tree trail using QR codes to identify notable trees
National Trust for Scotland’s Role
Lewis Swales spoke about the National Trust for Scotland’s involvement in SAP and their ongoing work to protect heritage apple varieties. Their contribution is helping to ensure that Scotland’s fruit-growing traditions are not only preserved but actively revitalised.
We’re grateful to everyone who took part in this year’s Apples Day, and especially to John Hancox for his continued effort and diligence in hosting. With growing interest and support, we hope this event will continue to thrive in the years ahead.
