Salmond acts as park tour guide

Sep 2 2012

The First Minister has volunteered as a tour guide at a park in his hometown.

Alex Salmond spent 67 minutes showing people round Strichen Community Park in Aberdeenshire as he urged everyone to spend the same amount of time volunteering in their own communities.

The action came after the celebration of Nelson Mandela's 94th Birthday in July, when Mr Salmond pledged to carry out the work in honour of the 67 years of service given by the former South African leader to civil rights.

Mr Salmond said: "Nelson Mandela is today perhaps the most respected elder statesman in the world, having fought against Apartheid, dedicating himself to civil rights for 67 years of public life.

"On his 94th birthday, I invited Scots to commemorate his service by doing something to make the world a better place, starting with our own communities.

"It is important that young people are engaged, from a young age, in shaping our communities and are inspired to take pride in their local surroundings."

Hebbie Fowlie, director of the park, said: "We as the committee, and the volunteers of Strichen Community Park, are indebted to the help Alex has given us over the years, from the time the park was began to what it is now - an oasis in the village of Strichen.

"The Park is attracting many people from all over to use the facility, which is always maintained to a fantastic standard by the talented volunteers."