One of Moray’s most attractive holiday hotspots has been brightened up this summer.
The local authority’s lands and parks team recently have sown a variety of wildflower seeds along the esplanade overlooking the seafront at Lossiemouth.
The poppies, cornflower and corn marigold are now in bloom and are proving an eye-catching addition to the picturesque coastal town.
The council, which is having to make major budget cuts, revealed yesterday that it had invested only £20 in the improvements.
The local authority has stopped maintaining flower beds in recent years as a result of a spending squeeze, but created the colourful display as part of a “low-cost, low-maintenance” scheme organised by seed specialist Euroflor.
Moray Council’s assistant lands and parks officer, Grant Speed, said: “We were keen to see how the wildflower mixes would grow in the Scottish climate, and the esplanade display has the distinction of being the most northerly in the country.
“This has been very much a trial, and the flowers have been attracting a lot of attention and favourable comment.
“This type of display has advantages over the flower beds that we used to have in that it is low-cost, it takes only a few minutes to sow the seed and once the seed germinates the flowers take care of themselves.”
The blooms are also providing an environmental boost, by attracting bees and other insects.
Heldon and Laich councillor John Cowe said the arrangements were a welcome innovation.
Councillor Cowe said: “That is obviously a major consideration given the council’s financial position.
“Sowing wildflowers to brighten up their own areas is maybe something that local community groups could think about for next season.”