2014 Apple Tree Greenhall, Blantyre by PVeverka
During a recent walk around Greenhall and through the Calder, my history enthusiast (and friend) Jim Brown pointed out to me that there was still fruit growing on the old Greenhall orchard. I’d walked past the location a hundred times, yet never stopped to appreciate that there were beautiful apple trees there.
There is a good marker for the exact spot. If you’re walking on the trail on the North side of the river between Greenhall and Milheugh, there is a small pedestrian wooden bridge crossing the small stream, directly underneath the viaduct pillars. I always think of it as the point where the Greenhall walk, becomes the Milheugh walk! To the North of the little bridge, is a clearing, that opens out with several fruit trees evident. The trees themselves looked like they had seen better days, but to my surprise, they were absolutely laden with eating apples (not the cooking kind, but proper large apples for eating). Green fruits hung from the tree, enticing
2014 Apple Tree in Greenhall Orchard, by PVeverka
us, which fell quite easily with a prod of the stick. Clearly September is the month for doing this. We had our pick and I have to say they were delicious, and beautifully fresh.
If there’s one thing walking around the Calder with Jim has taught me, it’s that I never need to prepare an advanced packed lunch!