Blair Castle, Culross
An oak sapling presented to ScotAsh by Scottish Cabinet Minister John Swinney has been given a new home in the leafy gardens of the Scottish Mining Convalescent Trust's premises at Blair Castle, Culross.
ScotAsh Sales & Quality Manager Chris Bennett hands over the oak sapling to Blair Castle's General Manager Roberta Black
ScotAsh, based at Longannet Power Station, Kincardine-on-Forth, manufactures environmentally friendly construction products from power station ash. The company lifted two out of the 18 Big Tick Awards handed out at Scottish Business in the Community's celebration dinner earlier this month (June), for Eco-Efficiency and Marketplace Innovation. As well as the customary scrolls, ScotAsh was given an oak sapling by Mr Swinney.
ScotAsh's Sales & Quality Manager Chris Bennett said: "Last year the oak tree we received from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales after winning our national Business in the Community Award for Marketplace Innovation, was donated to the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan.
"This year we wanted to once again find a suitable home for our oak tree within the local community. Blair Castle's gardens are beautifully kept and will provide the perfect environment for our sapling to thrive and grow."
The Scottish Mining Convalescent Trust's premises have been providing a sanctuary for convalescing miners, ex-miners and their families since 1927. Originally providing accommodation for 16 people, extensions added over the years now allow Blair Castle to take around 70 people at any one time.
The refurbished West Wing, re-named in memory of late MP Rachel Squires, was officially opened by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2006.
Today, Blair Castle is no longer funded by the coal industry, but relies on its own investments, fund-raising and charitable giving. Around 700 people stay at the home each year, to convalesce, for respite care or simply for a short break.
General Manager Roberta Black said: "We're very pleased that ScotAsh chose Blair Castle as the home for their Business in the Community sapling. The oak will be planted in front of the house to replace a very old tree that was blown over in storms earlier this year."
She added: "The tree will be in very good company. We have an oak in our grounds that is reputed to be one of the oldest in Scotland."
The tree is not the only link between Blair Castle and ScotAsh. The Scottish Mining Convalescent Trust has just commissioned its own wind turbine - and the base just happens to contain environmentally friendly cement from ScotAsh!
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