Not only was the park named in the top 10 People’s Choice awards by Keep Scotland Beautiful – for the ninth year in a row – James Armour was also named as joint winner of Employee of the Year.

James is the friendly, helpful, approachable face of the park. He is the only full-time employee in the park and is therefore the "go to" person for all park users, including the "friends" group, boating club, model railway group, tennis club members, local groups, dog walkers and many school and nursery groups that visit. 

His role includes summer maintenance tasks, grass cutting, flower displays, upkeep of path network, shrub and hedge pruning to winter grounds tasks, general pruning, splitting and replanting herbaceous beds. 

He also maintains the orchard and helps various groups with the food growing raised beds, offering advice and his time.  James also maintains the bowling green in the park, and lines the football pitches for every game. Alongside this, James cuts the putting green and tends the sensory garden and boating pond.

Provost Margaret Cooper said: “I walk my dog in the park all the time. And no matter what the weather I see James out every day, doing what he does best – making the park what it is today for locals and visitors alike.

“That hard work has now been acknowledged by others, not just his colleagues and friends who together make this park such a special place for us all to enjoy.

“I was delighted to further mark the achievement by James by initiating a civic award for him.

“So, thank you very much James for all that you do in the park – it is really very much appreciated by everyone.”

James said: “I was simply over the moon to hear that I had won the employee of the year award at the Best of the Best Green Flag Award Ceremony.

“For me, I am just doing my job. I just do my best to do a good job around the park.

“It is great when I am out working, and people stop me to say how pleased they are with the park. That really makes my day to hear that and think that maybe all my hard work is appreciated and makes people happy.”

Keep Scotland Beautiful present Green Flag Awards under license from Keep Britain Tidy. The award scheme supports park managers and communities to manage and improve green and open spaces and the Green Flag was presented to almost 90 Scottish parks and green spaces that demonstrate excellent management and environmental standards this year.