We're bringing a disused garden back to life, creating a town-centre community growing space that brings people together, increases food security, and reduces our carbon footprint.
Estimated Price
70000
The Rockfield Garden is leased and run by Oban Communities Trust, a Community Benefit Society run by and for its members and the wider community.
We are transforming a disused, previously cultivated food production area into a vibrant and inclusive community growing space, but need funding to realise our vision. This project is rooted in a growing community movement: over the past year, more than 1,100 volunteer hours have been contributed at The Rockfield Garden. The momentum is clear—and this garden will be a living, growing symbol of community action.
The space, located behind The Rockfield Centre, was previously used to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers for the former McTavish's Kitchens, but has since lain derelict.
What will your project do?Over the last 12 months our volunteer gardeners have spent over 1,100 hours on Phase 1, preparing the space for cultivation. We are now seeking funding for Phase 2, which will initiate food production and support both experienced and novice growers, fostering strong community involvement.
Installing fencing and handrails to ensure safety and accessibility
Building raised beds and flexible growing spaces for communal and individual use
Constructing a weatherproof meeting shelter and a secure tool shed.
Providing tools, gardening equipment, seeds, compost, and plants.
Developing a community composting system to promote circular growing practices.
Installing bee hives, chicken coops, and a community orchard
Offering a varied programme of community engagement and educational growing activities, including informal social gardening drop-ins, volunteer action days, and community education, delivered through themed workshops on topics such as composting, fruit growing, propagation, nature-friendly gardening, and maximising yields.
Why is your project needed? Oban currently has no large scale food growing provision, and local residents lack accessible opportunities to grow, learn, and contribute. As a rural town we are also heavily reliant on imported food, reducing local food resilience and creating disproportionately high food mile loadings. This project will:
Provide the community with growing space, tools, and support to grow food locally.
Encourage healthier lifestyles and increased social connection through shared, hands-on activity
Respond to the pressing need for increased food resilience in the face of climate change and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Help diversify the town’s food sources, reducing reliance on imported produce and associated transport emissions.
Create a learning hub to build knowledge and practical skills in sustainable food growing, composting, and ecological gardening
Offer a mix of communal and some individually managed plots, providing flexibility to suit different needs and abilities.
Enhance community cohesion and empowerment through participation, ownership, and shared outcomes.
Contribute to the Rockfield Centre's mission to reduce its carbon footprint and provide wholesome, healthy, affordable community meals.
What positive changes will your project bring about? The Rockfield Garden will deliver wide-ranging benefits across environmental, social, and educational areas:
Environmental Impact: With an estimated growing area of 1,400m², there is potential to produce 2,000–3,000kg of fruit and vegetables annually. This local production could reduce food miles and cut an estimated 3–4 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.
Food Resilience: In light of climate change and global food supply threats, local food production is a vital adaptation strategy. Growing food locally in Oban will contribute to community-level food security and resilience.
Health and Wellbeing: Access to growing spaces and outdoor activities supports mental and physical wellbeing. Gardening fosters regular physical activity, better nutrition, and emotional connection to nature.
Learning and Empowerment: Hands-on education will equip participants with valuable skills in food production, sustainability, and ecological stewardship.
Community Cohesion: The project will bring together people of all ages and backgrounds, strengthening social bonds, reducing isolation, and building a sense of place and purpose.
Sustainability: By incorporating composting and circular practices, such as seed saving, the garden will serve as a practical example of sustainable community living. By transforming this underused land into a thriving garden, we’re not just growing food—we’re growing community, resilience, and shared futures.
How long will your project run for?
This is a long-term project that is ticking along in Phase 1, but requires substantial funding to move to Phase 2. Once funded, we anticipate c. 1 year to do the required structural works. The funding requirementis flexible. We anticipate the total works requiring c. 70k, including staff time, but would gladly accept smaller amounts of funding which would allow us to complete the project in a modular fashion.
