A Speyside pensioner who maintains his late brother’s garden as a “labour of love” has been rewarded for his efforts after it was named as the best in its village.
Ronnie Shepherd began tending the plants and flowers at his brother George’s home in Rothes five years ago, after he died.
The 73-year-old had promised his older brother that should anything happen to him, he would care for the garden.
Mr Shepherd travels from Craigellachie every day and combines the work with visits to keep his 87-year-old sister-in-law Margaret company.
His endeavours to brighten up the Moray village have not gone unnoticed, as the garden has now been recognised as the best kept in Rothes for the second year running.
Mr Shepherd said: “I am fulfilling a promise I made to my brother before he died, he was a keen gardener and so am I.
“I’d rather have my brother, but it’s nice that I can keep his garden going for him now he’s gone.
“It’s a labour of love for me, George and his wife were both very good to me in years gone by and I believe the least you can do in life is return the favour.”
The retired fencing contractor now has the New Street garden bursting with colour, and also uses it to grow potatoes, onions and tomatoes.
He added: “We have some beautiful begonias that I think the judges must have been taken with this year, and the plum tree is laden with fruit.
“But I don’t do this for the sake of competition, first and foremost I enjoy doing it.
“If other people like seeing the garden, that is just a bonus.”
The Rothes Horticulture and Industrial Society also gave the New Street property the village’s best vegetable garden accolade.
Other prizes were awarded for the best hanging basket and best group of containers.
Mr Shepherd and the other prizewinners will gather for an awards ceremony during the society’s annual flower show at Grant Hall on Saturday, September 3.
