Ancient orchard reinstated

Two apple trees of the type originally grown by the monks at Arbroath Abbey in the 12th century were planted in the Abbey graveyard on Thursday morning.

He says: "The Oslin was grown by the monks at Arbroath Abbey, and although rumours persist that some still grow in Arbroath, they appear to have died out. The Applegate, a street which leads off Arbroath's High Street is where the orchard to the Abbey would have been, and the monks may have used them for dessert as well as cooking and making cider.

"This project brings back the Oslin to Arbroath Abbey, with which it was closely linked. An alternative name for the apple was the Arbroath Pippin, and I'm pleased that we are able to restore this variety to its original setting."

The tree-planting project was led by the Arbroath Abbey World Heritage Campaign and the trees were purchased by Angus Council

Pictured: Cllr David Fairweather; Mrs Patricia Millar, Chairman Royal Burgh of Arbroath Community Council; Cllr Jim Millar, convener of Neighbourhood Services and Chairman of the Arbroath Abbey World Heritage Campaign; Harry Ritchie, Arbroath Abbey World Heritage Campaign. Convener of Angus Council's neighbourhood services committee, Jim Millar, performing the planting ceremony.