A floral tribute to cancer victims has bloomed into life for the first time, despite the best efforts of vandals who repeatedly laid waste to the plot.
Daffodils have sprouted at Tomintoul’s new “field of hope”, brightening up the rural Moray spot and offering a place for poignant reflection.
The plants were bedded in October, but in January it emerged that “joy-riders” had made a habit of driving over the patch and churning up the earth.
Devastated volunteers arrived at the spot one morning to find dozens of bulbs strewn across the road, and said they faced an “anxious wait” to see how many of the 8,000 plants would blossom.
Tomintoul couple Mike and Des Budd, who both lost parents to cancer, were the driving force behind the initiative.
And they have now spoken of their relief as the bulk of the daffodils have blossomed and transformed the spot along the Lecht road.
Mr Budd said: “Some of the bulbs did get trashed by people driving over them, and that did cause us a lot of concern.
“But since then we have put stones around the edge of the plot, which would wreck the tyres of any car going over them, and they seem to have worked.
“There are a few gaps where the damage was done, and the daffodils haven’t come up, so we will replant there.
“We’ve also now put up some picnic tables so it really is a lovely place to sit and have a think about loved ones who are no longer with us.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead helped launch the memorial and yesterday commended the organisers on their efforts.
He said: “It is looking wonderful and provides a very bright welcome for visitors and locals alike as they arrive in the village.
“Mr and Mrs Budd, and the many volunteers who helped out, deserve huge credit for coming up with such a lovely and poignant tribute to everyone who has come into contact with cancer in one way or another.
“There have been some challenges along the way, but everyone has rallied round to ensure the daffodils have been able to blossom.”