Alness in Bloom

Our Town

Alness is situated in Easter Ross on the shores of the Cromarty Firth. Originally a small rural community, Alness expanded rapidly during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s as a result of major industrial development, particularly the establishment of the aluminium smelter at Invergordon, (now closed and dismantled) and oil-related projects around the Cromarty Firth.

The pace of change that people have experienced in Alness over the last twenty five years has been unique compared to other areas of Scotland and the United Kingdom.

In response to these changes and the employment opportunities created by the exploitation of the areas natural resources, the population of Alness rose from 3000 in 1971 to over 6000 by 1981. Alness had become a boom town.

The voluntary sector grew with the expansion of the town and this in turn formed a community spirit which is second to none in the Highlands.

The main organisations are the Community Council, the largest in the Highlands; the Community Association, now a thriving company limited by guarantee, with charitable status; the Alness Business Association and the Alness Initiative.

Since 1997 when Alness first entered the Scotland in Bloom Competition the town has had considerable success in Floral competitions. We have won the Scottish small town award seven times, British small town award three times and the Beautiful Scotland in Bloom Premier Award three times and winners in the Nations and World in Bloom competitions. As a result of our success and the publicity created by these awards, Alness has become the shopping centre for Easter Ross. With new car parks, clean High Street and environmental improvements giving all year round colour, the High Street is now bustling with shoppers. Businesses now report increased summer trade with many visitors calling in to the town to see the flowers. All the major cruise liners visiting nearby Invergordon, now include Alness on their day trip bus routes.

Alness in Bloom Achievements

1997

• Scotland in Bloom Best Small Town
• Scotland in Bloom Premier Award Winner

1998

• Scotland in Bloom Best Small Town
• Scotland in Bloom Premier Award Winner
• Britain in Bloom Best Small Town Award

• Scotland in Bloom Best Small Town
• Scotland in Bloom Premier Reserve Award Winner
• Nations in Bloom Winner; World in Bloom Winner

2000

• Scotland in Bloom Best Small Town
• Scotland in Bloom Premier Award Winner
• Britain in Bloom Best Small Town Award
• Nations in Bloom Finalist
• Tidy Britain Group Trophy
• Bank of Scotland Special Project Award

• Scotland in Bloom Best Small Town
• Scotland in Bloom Premier Reserve Award Winner
• First David Welch Memorial Trophy

2002

• Scotland in Bloom Best Small Town Award
• Scotland in Bloom Premier Reserve Award Winner
• Britain in Bloom Best Small Town Award
• RHS Gold Medal; Scotland in Bloom Cleanliness Award
• Two RHS Outstanding Contribution Awards
• Scotland in Bloom Permanent Landscaping Award

2003

• Entente Florale Silver Winner
• Dynamic Place Awards Team Winner

2004

• Britain In Bloom Best Small Town Award:RHS Gold Medal;
• Scotland in Bloom Premier Award Bank of Scotland Rose Bowl
• Scotland in Bloom Best Small Town Award.
• Scotland in Bloom Award for Horticultural Excellence.
• Britain in Bloom Runners up in Horticultural Award

2006

• Champion of Champions Britain in Bloom: RHS Gold Medal
• Scotland in Bloom Premier Award Bank of Scotland Rose Bowl
• Scotland in Bloom Best Small Town Award
• Scotland in Bloom Award for Horticultural Excellence
• Scotland in Bloom David Welsh Memorial Trophy

2007

• Scotland in Bloom Best Small Town Award
• Britain in Bloom RHS Gold Medal Award
• Outstanding Person Award for personal contribution to National Britain in Bloom Campaign - Christel McIntosh.