AYR’S River Garden at Aunchincruive is to have an apple day to celebrate Scotland’s favourite fruit.

The first public Apple Day will include pressing apples, plans sales, hands-on bulb planting, home-baking and guided walks as gardeners look to make use of the near 80 apple trees at the garden.

The event will take place on Saturday, October 26 and will be free entry.

Last year a bumper crop of apples went to waste for lack of a press, but organisers have told how they have a two pressers and apple scatters to mince up the apples to make fresh juice that the public can sample, thanks to the help of Scottish Smallholders’ Association.

Head Gardeniser Chris Jones said: “We have nearly 80 apple trees and we just want some use for them in a way that the public can engage with and so that people can understand what can be done with them and just have so much fun.”

She explained that the alcohol and drug recovery charity IFDAS which owns the garden are working to renovate it.

The garden on the grounds of Auchincruive boasts two orchards, one full of commercial apple varieties for students at the old Scottish Agricultural college and a second orchard of Scottish varieties of apples including a rare collection that even the national collection in Kent does not have - Threave Castle and Steynors Surprise.

Ms Jones added: “There will be lots of lovely apples and activities for people to do, for every age group.

“Dogs are welcome and there are plans to go ahead whatever the weather with dry polytunnels and potting sheds to house the public as well as the greenhouses where coffees, teas and home-baking with an apple theme will be served.”

Questions? Ring Chris Jones on 07936416600.