KNC is creating a new permanent floral feature at the Putting bed at the Leisure Park. Adopting a bed that Highland Council can no longer afford to maintain, KNC decided to give the bed an orienteering theme to mark 2015 when Nairn hosted the World Orienteering Championships. Interest in orienteering locally has grown since then, and there is a Taster course at the Leisure Park and along the Links for those who would like to give it a try, with maps available at James' Cafe and Nairn Leisure Centre.

KNC is making the bed into a permanent feature with all year round colour. The first stage of the project has been completed: the large centre pink granite stone was put in in June. Retired local businessman, Gerry Job, sourced and installed the stone.

Gerry & Michael Job installing the centre stone

Now a metal orienteering figure has been made by local artist blacksmith, Michael Job, and mounted on the stone and four beautifully dressed sandstones with metal lettering mark the four compass points. These were added to the bed today with the statue.

Michael Job aligning one of the compass points

The metal orienteering figure

The second part of the project, the perennial planting, will take place over the autumn and next spring; there will be a display panel telling the story of the bed and giving information about local orienteering facilities in Nairn; and a map of the paths for the partially sighted will be available at James'Cafe and Nairn Leisure Centre. Steve Smurthwaite, local orienteer and cartographer, is making the maps and Sight Action in Inverness will print them off.

This has been an ambitious project for KNC, but we hope that, once complete, it will make an attractive new feature at the entrance to the Leisure Park.