Zetland Kirk in Falkirk has picked up two prestigious Green Flag 'Best of the Best' awards.

Grangemouth's historic public park – and Green Flag Award holder – was the winner in both the Best Celebration Event, for the park's reopening, and the Best Climate Change Adaption at the UK-wide Best of the Best awards.

Zetland Park's grand re-opening, held on 28 August, 2022 celebrated the completion of the £2.5 million Heritage Lottery-funded restoration.

The awards ceremony, celebrating parks and green spaces across the UK, was held virtually on 15 November 2022.

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful presents Green Flag Awards, under license from Keep Britain Tidy, in recognition of the best parks and green spaces across Scotland.

All winners of the international award must demonstrate excellent management and environmental standards annually.

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Falkirk Council Leader, said: "The grand re-opening of Zetland Park was one of the highlights of the year for Falkirk Council. I was overjoyed to see the pride our park regeneration project has brought back to the people of Grangemouth.


"Winning Green Flag's Best Celebration Event category is a huge honour and will swell our community's hearts even further."

Councillor Iain Sinclair, Climate Change Portfolio Holder, added: "In the face of the Climate Emergency it's important that the council do all they can to mitigate the effects of climate change.

"Winning Green Flag's Best Climate Change Adaptation award will provide encouragement to go further in our response to the Climate Emergency."

The other Scottish award went to South Lanarkshire's Strathaven Park, which has been named in the top 10 People's Choice awards for the eighth year in a row.

Volunteers who care for the Scottish Borders' Wilton Lodge Park's Walled Garden were named Volunteer Team of the Year while Lisa Brydon, who works at the park, was crowned Employee of the Year.

Jamie Ormiston, Beaches & Parks Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "It is wonderful to see the staff and volunteers of some of Scotland's parks get the national recognition they deserve.

"There are many inspiring projects going on across the country to improve access to Scotland's green spaces and adapt to the climate emergency and it's a privilege to be able to celebrate just some of these through the Green Flag Award Best of the Best and People's Choice.

"We encourage anyone working or volunteering in a green space to consider the Green Flag Award as not only a way to highlight excellent standards but also gain advice and support from peers through the judging process."