August 2014

Welcome

Welcome to the summer edition of VIT C!

Things have been busy as usual. Changes to the Land Reform () Act relating to exclusion orders came into affect in December while the recent review of the all parts of the Act was published in May. Fingerposts have been Inside this issue appearing in the area. Route development is ongoing with continuation of path • Welcome works along the Hillfoots Way, the John Muir Way opening on 21st April and 7 • Fingerposts Heritage Trails have been established in for the 2014 celebrations. • LRA-Section 11 update We’ve been focussed on active travel work this year. Sustrans will be funding a • 2 exclusion applications number of exciting cycling and walking projects in the , Stirling and • LRA Review areas. Give Me Cycle Space has also run in 13 schools. Walking has • WHW diversion been high on the agenda. The Walkable Stirling project stakeholders had their • Repairs to Dasher Bridge first meeting. This brought many organisations with an interest in walking in our • Mesolicious compact, historical city together to share experience. Also Walkit.com was • Fingerposts launched in Stirling to help you find your way around the city on foot. • Funding Opportunities • Paths For All Training • Cycleway Development • The John Muir Way • The Hillfoots Way • The Whangie • SOAC and dogs • Argaty Estate Day • New Apprentice Ranger • Countryside Events • Stay in touch with the Rangers • Stirling’s International Angling Festival • Heritage Paths • Walkable Stirling • Walkit.com • One more thing...

Photo: Spectacular views of the Wallace Monument and across Stirling to the Have a lovely Campsies from the route up Dumyat on a summer’s day. summer break! Read on to find out what else has been happening in access

and how volunteers are contributing to our path network.

Page 2 Core Paths Update and Work

Fingerposts going up Land Reform Act—Section 11 update

Fingerposts at the start and end of Section 11 allows applications to be made to exclude land from paths are a great way to let people access rights either on a short term (1-5 days) or long term (6 days-2 know that there is a core path that years) basis. Although land could be excluded, it wasn’t possible to they can use. We use brown exclude core paths on it thus leaving them, in theory, open! This recycled plastic fingerposts as they caused numerous concerns, especially for event organisers who were require little to no maintenance and planning things like car rallies. There are many of these held we also thoroughly tested them throughout Scotland. when selecting which ones to go for. An amendment to the Act in December 2013 now allows us to exclude core paths at the same time. Hopefully this will iron out an Since January we’ve put in area of concern. fingerposts around Stirling. The By Penny Stoddard (Access Officer) Killearn Paths Group, assisted by Rangers Service, put in some fingerposts around Killearn. We Two exclusion applications also have some more fingerposts to Since the above amendment came out, we have revisited our go along the John Muir Way. section 11 application form as well as working on a way for land managers to let us know about any work that will affect access. All this means that more than half of the core path network is now singed Since then, we’ve had two applications through. The first was for a at start and end points. short term core path closure to allow street lighting works to go ahead. The second was our first long term section 11 application for There are more fingerposts in stock an event. This involves a different procedure as the Council can so hopefully we’ll manage to install decide on short term exclusion applications but it’s the Scottish some more soon. Ministers who make the decision for long term applications. By Penny Stoddard (Access Officer)

By Penny Stoddard (Access Officer) Land Reform Act Review The Land Reform Review Group was established to look at how the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 has worked since it came into effect in 2005. The Group was tasked to identify how land reform will: Enable more people in rural and urban Scotland to have a stake in the ownership, governance, management and use of land, which will lead to a greater diversity of land ownership, and ownership types, in Scotland; Assist with the acquisition and management of land (and also land assets) by communities, to make stronger, more resilient, and independent communities which have an even greater stake in their development; Generate, support, promote, and deliver new relationships between land, people, economy and environment in Scotland.

The final report was published on 23 May. It mainly dealt with the division of land and how much of the land is held by only a few. There was mention of Section 1 access issues (see pages 209-213) whereby reference was made to irresponsible dog walking and wild Photo: New fingerpost in camping. You can read the report at www.scotland.gov.uk/About/ Banoockburn. Review/land-reform/events/FinalReport23May2014 By Penny Stoddard (Access Officer) Page 3 Core Paths Update and Work Diversion Scottish Power are carrying out a large scale maintenance project on the overhead powerline that crosses the West Highland Way at Craigallian Loch. At first we hoped that no diversion would be necessary but the scale of the project and lack of other access options for the contractors soon dictated that an alternative West Highland Way route would need to be put in place to keep the heavy plant machines and West Highland Way users from crossing paths.

After much consideration, it was decided to divert people through Craigallian Wood for the periods of work. This doesn’t really add much to the distance and it is still a pleasant route.

The access road construction phase to allow for the actual maintenance work to take place has now been completed. There are, however, two further anticipated periods of work: Mon 9 July—Sun 10 August Mon 1—Sun 31 October.

All information regarding the diversion will be posted on the West Highland Way website www.west-highland-way.co.uk , will be Photo: A view to Dumgoyne and Glengoyne Distillery in the Stir- available from Milngavie Information Point, ling Council section of the West Highland Way. Country Park and information as well as the diversion itself will be signed on the route. Please follow any instructions on signs or given to you by site workers if you head out this way.

The West Highland Way is one of Scotland’s most iconic long distance routes and one of Scotland’s Great Trails www.scotlandsgreattrails.org.uk. It’s 96 miles in length and can be fitted into a week’s walking. You can find out more on www.west-highland-way.co.uk where you can also download the handy pocket companion. By Penny Stoddard (Access Officer)

Repairs to Dasher Bridge near Last year Kippen Community Council alerted us to a conversation with Scotways has identified a potential damaged bridge over the Burn south of funder. There is still a way to go to finalise plans and Kippen. A small landslide had taken stone from the secure the funding, but it looks like this old route head walls with it. may get a face lift over the next year.

The landowner was keen for the work and a chance By Richard Barron (Senior Access Officer)

Photo: Current route to Dasher Bridge, Kippen. Photo: Dasher Bridge, Kippen. Page 4 Community Path Works Community Action Days Mesolicious—food archaeology on the Back Walk This was an opportunity to have a lovely walk along Stirling’s historical Back Walk while learning about wild foods and our Mesolithic hunter-gatherer ancestors! A big ask in 4 hours? Apparently not. We met an enthusiastic bunch of approximately 30 people near the municipal buildings. Fiona Watson, Community Archaeologist, gave an introduction to the mobile lifestyle of the Mesolithic people and some of the animals that were around to hunt – or be hunted by – at that time as well as some of the implements they would have used.

The rest of the walk was food based looking at a variety of leaves, roots and flowers that have probably remained unchanged since that time Photo: Sweet Cicely seeds taste of aniseed - but around 400 years ago. Most of them very common careful identification of the carrot family is needed. – from Nettles and Hogweed to Sticky Willy and Some of them are delicious but some are deadly! Sweet Cicely and some of them less common than they used to be, violets for instance, as they have Dulse seaweed) with vibrant green Wild Garlic been over-gathered in the past. mayonnaise or Elderberry vinegar. The walk ended with a picnic on the lightly breezy Sadly the weather wasn’t quite sunny enough for a edges of Gowanhill where our intrepid band were relaxed picnic and people were soon heading off to given the opportunity to taste some Elderflower find somewhere warmer, but with food in their bellies Champagne, Ground Elder and/or Nettle Soup, and hopefully some acquired knowledge in their Pearl barley and wild leaf puddings (which included heads. Nettles, Dock, Wild Garlic, Ground Elder and Pepper By Claire Bird (Area Ranger—North) Killearn Paths Group help put in some fingerposts On Fri 30 May, Stirling Council Ranger Service with 4 Killearn volunteers installed fingerposts in the village for half a day.

Our small group of volunteers met up at our checkpoint on the junction between Main Road and Ibert Road, Killearn. The first sign was to be attached to a fence on the corner of the junction. We agreed on the position and one of our volunteers attached it to the fence. We then packed up and discussed meeting point of next location.

We then set off for what turned out to be a more tricky installation. We arrived at our final location at the track from Station Road to West Highland Way. Our volunteers assisted the situation and worked well as a team, deciding where this fingerpost was to go.

We agreed on a location and slowly started to dig. The volunteers took turns using the spades digging at least a metre into the ground. Without the volunteers here, this job would have taken us a long time. We positioned the fingerpost. Scott then added water and postcrete to the hole and the volunteers held it in place until it dried. After the postcrete set, we back filled the hole with soil.

The volunteers were a huge help in this event and without them we wouldn’t be able to achieve the results we do. We are very thankful to everyone who helped us and we look forward to working with them again in the future.

By Ryan Walker (Apprentice Ranger) Page 5 Volunteer Development

As our ability to step in and carry out maintenance on paths falls, more local communities are stepping up to maintain and improve local paths. This is great and we welcome the help (but ask that you let us know your plans in advance—contact details at the back of the newsletter). Here are some useful information links if you have a project in mind and need training or funding sources. Funding opportunities Community Pride and Community Grants Scheme Stirling Council’s popular small grants programmes This year’s deadline & decision dates are as below. are underway with grants of up to £1500 available for a wide range of revenue and capital projects. Deadline – 12 noon Decision

Community Pride Fund is open to Community on: Councils, Development Trusts and Incorporated 21 August 14 17 September 14 Organisations delivering local projects with wide 2 October 14 29 October 14 community benefit. 13 November 14 10 December 14 The Community Grants Scheme supports the above 5 January 15 28 January 15 organisations as well as charities and constituted community/voluntary groups delivering projects 12 February 15 11 March 15 which benefit residents in Stirling Council area, whether within a local community or widely across Application forms and guidelines can be downloaded the area, or which benefit communities of interest from including hobby/sports groups. www.stirling.gov.uk/services/community-life-and- Both grants programmes are restricted to applicant leisure/community-advice/community-advice-grants/ groups with a regular annual income below £200K. community-grants or contact the Funding Officer, Jean Cowie on 01786 By Jean Cowie, (Funding Offcer, Stirling Council) 233143.

Other places you can find out about funding include: Scottish Natural Heritage - list a number of potential funders: www.snh.gov.uk/funding Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) - roundup of funders: www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org Paths for All training opportunities Even the best made paths need for years to come. And the Would you like us to run a path looking after and regular volunteers have gained new skills, maintenance action day in your maintenance keeps paths in an giving them the confidence to help local area? If so, please contact acceptable condition. To help maintain the paths in their local Kevin, our Technical Officer on volunteers involved with path work communities. O1259 222330 or email we held a path maintenance [email protected] Future courses—FREE training day at Oatridge College in Wed 27 August 9.30-16.30 — By Ruth Kelloe (Paths For All) May. Oatridge College The volunteers got hands on You’ll look at upgrading an old ‘as experience doing a variety of path dug’ path and repairing a stone maintenance jobs on the pitched path. demonstration paths at Oatridge Sat 25 Oct 9.30-16.30 —Village College. These were typical Club Hall, maintenance jobs groups might Action day hosted by have to deal with on their local Strathblanefield CDT. You’ll look at paths. All their hard work has upgrading a path with a stone dust resulted in a path that can continue surface and drainage. to be walked, cycled or ridden on Details at www.pathsforall.org.uk Page 6 Path Development Cycleway Development The Latest Cycleway Works Two ‘smaller’ projects were completed last year. First NCN 765 was signed fully from to , so it’s now signed from Stirling. As part of this work the huge Fourways Roundabout in Dunblane had cycle friendly shared use routes created round it and the flood damage of August 2012 on the Glen Road is about to be repaired too-not the big hole, just the surface damage by Drumdruills Farm!

Photo: Fourways roundabout, Dunblane—Before Photo: Fourways roundabout, Dunblane —After

Second project involved widening the existing pavement from to the entrance to Stirling University to create a shared use path. This mirrors work done by Clackmannanshire Council and means an off road cycle and walking route now runs along the whole of the south side of the Ochils.

Photo: Blairlogie pavement widening —Before

We’ve a number of new projects this year. A pavement outside Stirling Station will be widened for shared use. Work is starting on a crossing of the A84 in Doune to reconnect the Wood of Doune Photo: Blairlogie pavement widening —After Housing with Doune village centre. A big accessibility project is starting in Dunblane to make the area along Stirling Road from the High Street to the Station a more accessible and welcoming entrance to this historic city. A Braehead to City Centre route will be put in place. Finally we’re still working on the Manor Powis Roundabout crossing and extending NCN 765 from Doune to , but they are for the future! Work in the National Park includes the following routes: Drymen to , to Kingshouse and the Strathfillan bridge. By Richard Barron (Senior Access Officer) Page 7 Path Development The John Muir Way The new John Muir Way was interest and respect for John and the NCN 7. officially opened in April by Alec Muir’s philosophy. At a time of There is also an ambitious project Salmond. The Way is 134 miles economic recession, it is also a to create a new section of the John long and runs from Helensburgh in way of creating jobs and boosting Muir Way through the the west to Dunbar in the East. tourism. Stirling already benefits area and over the Kilpatrick Hills from the West Highland Way and The choice of John Muir as the via Burncrooks Reservoir, the new John Muir Way can only theme for a route crossing central providing an ‘upland’ experience help to maximise the benefit that Scotland has provoked some with fantastic views of Loch Long Distance Routes bring to the debate as Muir’s name is more Lomond. This new path is a local economy. commonly associated with partnership project involving spectacular landscapes in Stirling Council’s Access Team Scottish Natural Heritage, Sport America. Yet central Scotland has have worked closely with SNH to Scotland, Forestry Commission much to offer in fine landscapes find the best route for the John Scotland, Stirling Council and and views, and the new route will Muir Way in the Stirling area. This several land owners. With the help to develop a closer hasn’t always been an easy task Council’s help, it is planned to relationship with nature for those and a wide variety of routes have open this section of the John Muir people who live in the area. been looked at over the past two Way in spring 2015. years. The John Muir Way Central Scotland is home to nearly For more info on the John Muir currently enters the Stirling area 3.2 million Scots and encouraging Way visit http://johnmuirway.org/ . near Strathblane, then heads them to engage with nature on along the West Highland Way to By Stuart Davies (Scottish Natural their doorstep might awaken , and on to Balloch via Heritage)

Photo: Riding along the John Muir Way near Strathblane. Cycleway sign incorporating the John Muir Way.

The Hillfoots Way The Hillfoots Diamond Jubilee Way, as it is now in lieu of stiles, 2 benches will have been replaced officially known following a visit by HRH Duke of and 4 new benches added, 6 path counters will have Kent on 8th July, is nearing completion. As well as been installed at strategic locations and considerable path repairs and improvements interpretation boards, fingerpost and waymarker including some re-routing, once the project is signage installed to clearly define the route, costing complete, 11 gates will have been replaced or added almost £130,000.

It is anticipated that work will be complete within the next few months, and certainly before the end of this year when the Ochils Landscape Partnership, who are delivering this project together with 20 others along the route, using funding from various sources, will cease to exist in its current form. Full details of the projects can be seen at www.ochils.org.uk. By Ian Gillies (Ochils Landscape Photo:s Yellowcriaig Wood section of Hillfoots Way—before and after. Partnership) Page 8 Volunteers’ corner What are you up to?

This is the section where I hand over to you. I’m always happy to receive articles from you and I know there are lots or individuals and groups out there doing fantastic work to improve and promote their local path networks. Send me an article and have your moment of fame in VIT C. Adverts for Community Action Days are also welcome. By Penny Stoddard (Access Officer) The Whangie Of all the Core Paths which I have inspected, the but they are quite spectacular just to view. You may route to the Whangie is by far the best. It is probably even be lucky enough to see proper rock-climbers the most popular short hill-walk in the west of there practising their skills. Apart from this, the main Scotland, yet it does not seem to be known by most attraction is the view north – the vast expanse of Stirling folk. Every day, even in winter, dozens of Loch Lomond with the Luss hills on the left and Ben Glaswegians climb to the summit of Auchineden hill Lomond on the right. Continuing round to the right or to the Whangie, which is the name given to the are Ben Venue, Ben Ledi, Stuc a’Chroin and Ben great gash in the side of the hill. Tradition has it that Vorlich, with Ben More and Stob Binnein just this gash was caused by the De’il, who flicked his peeking through the gaps. The car park, where we tail as he flew over on his way to a witches’ coven started, may be called the “Queen’s View”, but she’d (although whether this was to be held in Killearn or have had an even better view of the Highlands from Dumbarton is not recorded!). These cliffs were the the Whangie or from Auchineden Hill. playground of Glasgow’s unemployed in the Because I don’t like “there-and-back-again” walks, Depression of the 1930s, when men such as Tom my route continues on the path beyond the Whangie Patey and Tom Weir, hiked there from Glasgow, which then veers left to climb to the trig. point on bivvied under the cliffs and learned to climb them, Auchineden Hill. From there it is possible to remain eventually becoming famous rock-climbers. on the ridge above the cliffs following a faint path to It has one serious fault for anyone hoping to leave return to the junction mentioned previously. The the car at home, because it does not lie on a bus return to the car park is then down the grassy path route - the only way there is by bike or car along the climbed at the start. The whole trek is about 2½ A809 Drymen to Bearsden road over the miles and takes between one and two hours (if you Stockiemuir hills. At the top of this road there is a don’t stop to study the views!). convenient car-park, called the Queen’s View, and By Bob Sparkes (Local Access Forum member) the path to the Whangie starts from there, going first over a low wall. The next obstacle is a bog, but this is easily crossed on wooden sleepers. The first ascent of some 200 ft is up a grassy slope, well- worn by its many visitors and at the top of this slope is a junction, where there is path going steeply up the hill on the left. This is the route to the summit of Auchineden Hill, which I use as a convenient return route. Photo: View from the top. The onward path continues more gently upwards for another half-mile with impressive cliffs on the left and then it splits. The left fork is a more direct route to the summit of Auchineden Hill, which many people think is the Whangie, although the latter is actually another half-mile along the right fork. This lower path crosses wet land, which is quite muddy, Photo: View from the top of the Whangie. but it is soon crossed and then the 50 ft rocky cliffs come into view. Hopefully, nobody will attempt to climb them without proper training and equipment, Page 9 Know the Code Before You Go!

Your dog doesn’t know any better, make sure you do!

That’s the message that Scottish managers often use the always clear up after your Natural Heritage have on their SOAC lambing and young dog. Remember, you may posters to remind dog walkers of animals signs to let you love your dog but others can their responsibilities when out and know when to avoid fields. be scared of them so don’t about in the countryside and how Please respect these and let them jump up. true it is. Luckily there is lots of follow instructions. 6. Dog Waste: Always bag it information available to help you 2. Safety Around Cattle: Cattle and bin it. You can use any and your dog have happy walks in can act aggressively. Keep public litter bin. the countryside. yourself and your dog at a Visit www.outdooraccess- safe distance and if Dogs are brilliant—there’s no scotland.com for more necessary let your dog go denying it! They provide company, information. so that you can both seek they give us a good reason to go safety. out for some exercise come rain 3. Planted fields: Don’t take or shine and they’re a great way your dog into fruit and of meeting people. However, it’s vegetable fields unless there important to remember that the is a clear path. Always clear countryside is a working up after your dog— environment and letting your remember, the crop will be innocent dog run freely can create for you and others to untold problems for livestock, land ultimately eat! managers and other access 4. Ground-nesting birds: takers. During the breeding season Here are some tips to help you do (April-July) keep your dog your bit for responsible access. on a short lead or close at heel in areas such as 1. Farm Animals: Never let moorland, forests, your dog worry or attack grasslands, loch shores and farm animals. Don’t take the seashore.

your dog into fields with 5. Public Places: Keep your young farm animals. Land By Penny Stoddard (Access Officer) dog close at heel and Page 10 Know the Code Before You Go! The Argaty Estate Day

The phone rang. It was one of our Access Forum members inviting us to pop along to a Royal Highland Education Trust Estate Day for 180 children on his farm. So ably supported by two Countryside Rangers from Clackmannanshire, we headed out on a sunny Friday to the Argaty Red Kite Centre to teach them all about access rights and responsibilities.

We were in good company with people leading sessions on forestry, farming, game keeping, wildlife management and outdoor access. Our ‘core path’ stretched up the side of the hill and with props suitably arrayed gave us chance to talk about litter, dogs, livestock, walls, wildlife and cycling.

The children were shepherded around six stations and were keen to learn about what was on offer. Even the Deer carcase was popular although to be fair I think it was the Red Kites that stole the show.

We all had a great day and the feedback shows the teachers and children did too. It was a great opportunity to get the responsible access message over to the future generation. Would we help out again? Oh yes I think we can safely say we would! Photo:: Red kite at Argaty Red Kite Centre By Richard Barron (Senior Access Officer)

Countryside Events Ryan Walker (Apprentice Ranger) joins the Ranger Service

Name-Ryan Walker

Job-Apprentice Ranger

What made you want to be an Apprentice Ranger at Stirling Council? I was always interested in the job as Apprentice Ranger. I applied for it when I came out the army at 16, but was unsuccessful. It is something I have always been interested in.

What type of projects have you been involved in so far? I have been involved in several projects with the council so far, including a lot of volunteer work days, working with schools and community groups.

What have you enjoyed the most? I have enjoyed the variety within the Ranger Service, as every day is different. I enjoy working with a great team, who are very helpful and is a pleasure to work alongside, they have helped me a lot the last few months and made this job very interesting for me.

When you’re not being a Ranger, what do you like doing? I DJ at local nightclub, playing a guest set from time to time. I also play around Scotland, when required. I am starting to produce my own music at the minute. Page 11 Countryside Events

Date and Time Event Wed 30 July Minibeast Safari Country Park 10am—12 noon Search out the different types of bugs in their own special habitats in the park, slimy slugs, buzzy bees, beautiful butterflies, wandering woodlice and so much more! We will be in rougher terrain so sturdy footwear and long trousers are advised. Wed 30 July Dippin’ the pond Plean Country Park 1.30pm—3.30pm Find out about the amazing pond-dwellers. You may see dazzling dragonflies, amazing amphibians and busy beetles. Wellies are essential for this event. Wed 6 August Minibeast Safari 10am—12 noon Search out the different types of bugs in their own special habitats in the park, slimy slugs, buzzy bees, beautiful butterflies, wandering woodlice and so much more! We will be in rougher terrain so sturdy footwear and long trousers are advised. Wed 6 August Dippin’ the burn, Bannockburn 1.30pm—3.30pm Find out about the amazing stream-dwellers. You may see dazzling dragonflies, busy beetles and lots of larvae. Wellies are essential for this event. Fri 15 August The Fly-By-Nights Riverside, Stirling 8pm—10pm Come and join us on a nice leisurely stroll experience the bats of the Riverside in the company of local experts. You will hear the bats as they hunt and learn about the best way to monitor bat numbers. Sat 20 September Fungi Foray –Balquhidderock Wood 2pm—4pm Join the Rangers for a fantastic foray to hunt for these autumnal fruits. If you have ID books and carrying containers it could be useful to bring them along. Sat 20 September Fungi Foray – Abbey Craig 6pm—8pm Join the Rangers for a fantastic foray to hunt for these autumnal fruits. If you have ID books and carrying containers it could be useful to bring them along. Fri 3 October Stars and Moon – Stirling 7pm—9pm Join the Rangers and Stirling Astronomical Society to learn more about our marvellous moon and some of the stars and constellations we can (hopefully) see in our autumnal skies. Even if the skies aren’t clear a trip up to the Stirling Observatory makes this a memorable evening. Sat 18 October Make A Difference Day Action Day, Rhodi Bash - Plean Country Park 10am—3pm Come along and help Stirling Council Ranger Service in conjunction with Friends of Plean Country Park celebrate CSV Make a Difference Day with our annual volunteer BBQ and rhodie bash. Help us cut and burn the invasive, non-native species Rhododendron ponticum to try and clear it from the park to let the natural flora re- establish.

Wed 12 November Gowanhill Action Day– Stirling 10am—3pm Join the Ranger Service and get involved in the tidy up of Back walk and Gowanhill. The task will include removing litter from the paths, grasslands and woodlands below the castle, as well as managing areas of vegetation. Sturdy footwear is advisable for this event. Sat 13 December Rhodi Bash, Plean Country Park Action Day 10am—3pm Come along and help Stirling Council Ranger Service in conjunction with Friends of Plean Country Park cut and burn the invasive, non-native species Rhododendron ponticum to try and clear it from the park to let the natural flora re-establish. Page 12 Countryside Events Stay in touch with the Ranger Service The Ranger Service offer lots of countryside events that are free to attend where you can find out more about our local area and the wildlife in it. A list of events from now until December is on the previous page.

To be kept up to date with the work of the Ranger Service, upcoming events and other news and links we think that you might be interested in, find us at

Facebook www.facebook.com/stirlingcouncilrangers

Twitter @SCRangers

And on the What’s On pages on the Stirling Council website at http://my.stirling.gov.uk/events as well as through your local press. Come and join us to find out more about your local green spaces. By Claire Bird (Area Ranger North)

Stirling International Angling Festival The Stirling International Angling Festival (SIAF) is a huge, free and family friendly event taking place on 9 As for the veteran angler, we have Daiwa, Hardy and 10 August in the Stirling Agricultural Centre. Greys, Patagonia, Simms, Fly Tyers and Bloke Bespoke rods attending alongside professional There will be a try and buy market of locally caster Ian Gordon and World Spey casting produced food and drink, a big kids zone with champion Andrew Toft performing demonstrations workshops to keep them entertained, games, fish ID and providing advice. treasure hunts, bouncy castles, face painting, aquariums of local marine and freshwater species Our major sponsors are Daiwa and and lots more awaiting confirmation. Distillery and there will be free raffles in the

programme and prizes for the kids. There will also be a chance to try fishing for free with a professional instructor. The SIAF will transport If you want to book for the free fishing, message on anyone of any age including groups and families, the SIAF Facebook or contact from the Hub event to a neighbouring fishery to try [email protected]. You can also use #SIAF fishing for trout. The SIAF will supply the rods and on Twitter or visit www.stirling2014.co.uk/angling- gear, the instructor and transport back to the Hub festival event afterwards free of charge. By Jack Breslin (Stirling International Angling Festival Page 13 Walking Xplore Stirling Heritage Trails Xplore Stirling Heritage Trails is a project bringing together seven communities in the Stirling area to acknowledge the role of local history in shaping communities. The project is a series of seven Heritage Trails, each having its own leaflet and a number of interpretation panels which record local events and stories highlighting the nationally significant heritage of the area and showing Stirling at Scotland’s heart since Roman times. It’s all online at www.stirlingheritagetrails.co.uk

From the Riverside area once a port and full of industrial history; to the textile mills and tartan of St Ninians; the droving roads in Borestone and iron-age forts of , take a walk into the past following stories that moulded the landscape. The boards also tell the story of Bannockburn, the events of the battle and how the land was an intricate part of who lost and won.

It is hoped that the Trails, in bringing together this local history and knowledge, will encourage residents and tourists to get out and walkthrough this wonderful landscape. As part of the project a children’s drawing competition took place in the local primary schools and some of the winners’ drawings have been incorporated into the interpretation panels and leaflets of each community trail.

The whole project was supported by Stirling Council’s Community Engagement Team in partnership with Central Scotland Forest Trust, and funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Stirling Council and Clackmannanshire and Stirling Environmental Trust. Consultants ‘Art is an Option’ was contracted to work with communities to create the artwork and material for the Trails.

The project was also supported by Stirling Council’s Environment Services, the Council’s Archaeologist and connected with the Walkable Stirling initiative, Stirling Walking Network and their volunteers, as well as many local historians and community members. Photo:: Audrey Morrisson from Stirling and

For more information on the project contact: Clackmannashire Environment Trust at the Coxet Hill interpretation board. Community Engagement Team Tel: 01786 233135 Email: [email protected] By Pauline Roberts (Communities Engagement Team)

Community Street Audit Training—Living Streets

Through our Paths for All and Scottish Sessions are scheduled for: Government funded ‘Walkable Communities’ 22 Sept— The Albany Centre, Glasgow project, Living Streets Scotland will be holding 4 30 Sept—Number 10, Dundee free to attend Community Street Audit training 28 Oct—The Village Centre, East Kilbride events in the Autumn of this year. The events are 4 Nov—Forth Valley Sensory Centre, Falkirk/ open to representatives of community groups, Camelon voluntary organisations, local authorities, If you’d like to find out more, sign up for a training community planning partners, health partners, session, or get in touch with a member of staff at housing associations, local trades associations Living Streets Scotland, please go to and others with an interest in getting more people www.livingstreets.org.uk/living-streets-scotland walking and improving the quality of the local walking environment. The sessions will be practical Tel: 0131 243 2649 in focus and will emphasise cooperation and Email: [email protected] partnership working to deliver better streets for our By Penny Morris (Living Streets) communities.

Page 14 Walking Walkable Stirling

Walkable Stirling is a project that • a relatively flat our first stakeholder meeting. we’ve been looking at for a long environment; We’re now putting together an time but have lacked the man • a pedestrianised City action plan. There are already power to get off the ground. Centre; several projects that contribute to Susan Darroch, Transport • relatively low traffic levels Walkable Stirling such as the Planner, joined our Transport compared to many other Heritage Trails mentioned, Planning and Access Team last urban areas. improved city centre signage and year and the project is now taking How will we make a Walkable Walkit.com. We’ll keep you shape. Stirling? posted as to how the project • We’ll promote opportunities progresses but in the meantime, Why Stirling? to residents and visitors; keep an eye out for the Walkable Stirling City is a compact and • We’ll improve pedestrian Stirling logo as it starts to appear attractive city sitting amongst facilities and routes; on leaflets etc. some of Scotland’s most iconic • We’ll ensure Stirling landscapes. It is a city where continues to grows in a many daily trips are within manner to continue to walking distance, and there is encourage and enable easy and convenient access to walking. attractive open spaces and sites www.stirling.gov.uk/services/ Partnership Working of historic interest. The city transport-and-streets/ There are many organisations in already offers: environment-friendly-transport/ Stirling that already do lots of • a good network of existing walkable-stirling things to promote and encourage paths, routes of historic and walking. We’ve met with many By Penny Stoddard (Access Officer) cultural interest; key organisations and have held Walkit.com comes to Stirling

In May we officially launched the Stirling version of website at www.walkit.com/stirling or download the Walkit.com. This is an urban walking route planner app for Iphone and Android. Finally you can look that helps you find the best walking route to get for walking events in the city as well as promote you between locations A and B. What’s more, it your own. lets you plan walks within a radius of a starting This project was point—great if you want a lunchtime walk lasting funded by 30 minutes. It will estimate the number of steps Tactran you’ll take, calories you’ll burn, as well as give you (Regional Transport Partnership). step free routes if needed and provide a graph showing the gradient of the route. You can use the By Penny Stoddard (Access Officer)

… one last thing…. This may be the last VIT C you receive for a while as, all going well, I will be going off on maternity leave at some point in October. For those of you who are our valuable Volunteer Path Inspectors, we’ll keep you posted as to what you need to do with any inspection reports that you have to hand in during the time I’m away.

A big thank you for all your hard work as always! By Penny Stoddard (Access Officer)

Environment Services, Teith House, Kerse Road, Stirling, FK7 7QA Tel: 0845 277 7000 Email: [email protected] www.stirling.gov.uk