Thousands will flock to Dundee for feast of food, flowers and fun

Figures from MasterChef and Beechgrove Garden among this year’s line-up

Thousands of visitors will make their way to Dundee this weekend after the 31st Dundee Flower and Food Festival opened at Camperdown Park.

Gardening enthusiasts have the chance to see Carole Baxter and George Anderson from the Beechgrove Garden, while MasterChef winners and finalists Gary MacLean, Jilly McCord, Jamie Scott and Dean Banks will cater for foodies.

Children’s activities, such as Bumble Buddies and Ultra Dance, take place throughout the weekend.

This year’s event is focusing particularly on climate change including an emphasis on reducing food waste and how effective meal planning and sustainable shopping can help tackle the problem.

The Love Food – Hate Waste initiative gives attendees practical advice on how to make the most of their food while saving money, with Zero Waste Scotland assisting over the course of the weekend.

Iain Gulland, chief executive at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “There are lots of simple steps people from in and around Dundee can take to protect our environment.”

An array of flowers is on display as one of Scotland’s biggest horticultural competitions was judged.

This year’s show includes a dozen plate-sized begonia flowers in the Scottish Begonia Society’s 12 Board British Championship.

Other marquees contain craft items, model boats, beekeeping stalls and more.

With this year’s Oor Wullie Bucket Trail coming to an end only last week, visitors to Camperdown are being given a chance to see again some of the original Oor Wullie statues, which proved popular with youngsters when the first trail was created in 2016.

A tombola at the van is raising funds for the ARCHIE Foundation.

At the Poppy Scotland van people can try out a virtual reality headset, allowing visitors to become immersed in the experiences of people who served their country in decades gone by.

There was also live music by school bands throughout yesterday.

Councillor Anne Rendall, Dundee City Council’s convener of neighbourhood services, said: “It’s great to see the hard work being put in to the festival paying off.

“The festival is larger than ever so the support from everyone who has made it possible has never been more important.”

The festival is larger than ever so the support from everyone who has made it possible has never been more important. COUNCILLOR ANNE RENDALL

Picture: Kris Miller. Cookery demonstrations taking place yesterday.