2024 Conference. Site Visits. Saturday Morning (5th October)

3 site visits were on offer.

Abriachan Forest Trust

Abriachan’s community woodland doesn’t just belong to our 150 residents but to a much wider population of our communities of interest so why not come up the hill to see and hear what has been done with 540 Ha of wind-blown Lodgepole pine over the past 25 years? On an afternoon visit we will ensure there will be something of relevance to your own community woodland no matter what scale.  So, as well as the footpath and bike trails, we can visit the early years nursery sites, follow the Global Goals trail, garden, pumptrack and outdoor classrooms.

We will have a walk around the easy access paths, through the regenerating woodland, find a few surprises hidden amongst the trees and share learning from our mistakes, successes and challenges when juxtaposing social and economic forestry.

What you will learn about: 

  • Outdoor learning for sustainability – how we deliver to different ages and stages and ensure participants have a real sense of achievement and ownership of their woodland.

  • Examples of the community remaining involved, interested and engaged – how this requires flexibility and acceptance of new ideas for encouraging participation.

Culduthel Community Woods https://www.culduthelwoods.org/  in Inverness was only established in summer 2022 when we took on an area of “ownerless” land near the south edge of the city, right beside the biggest secondary school in the Highlands. The woods extend to about 6.5Ha and comprise beech, pine, birch and are very well used by local people.  We have had a lot of support from local people and have regular volunteer sessions. We have made good progress in a fairly short time and have lots of ideas want to share with you and hear your feedback.

What you will learn about:

  • our very recent work on installing signs and interpretation boards.

  • our work to remove invasive species, especially rhododendron and snowberry

  • our approach to meadow management, supported by the Nature Restoration Fund

  • our partnership work with local charities to promote education and awareness  of the woods and to help get people more active

  • our plans for path and general access improvements

Dunain Community Wood is approximately 100 acres of native hardwoods and conifers. The wood supports a range of wildlife and features important cultural and archaeological sites including a wishing well and a chambered cairn. The 30,000 people who annually use the Great Glen Way, pass through the wood on their way to/from Fort William

The site visit aims to cover the following:

  • Children’s Forest - completed with local primary schools and used by local groups for forest school

  • Swathes of saplings, which speak to the community planting efforts

  • Chambered cairn, which was recently cleared

  • The reservoirs and golf course that were part of the old hospital site

What you will learn about:

  • the role of the volunteers

  • looking after archaeological and historical sites

  • looking forward to future plans for the woodland (we are currently discussing options of a lease and ideas for future activities and management).

Every Monday morning up to a dozen volunteers head for the woodland above the old Craig Dunain Psychiatric Hospital, where they maintain the path network, keep bracken and gorse at bay, and clear fallen branches, etc.  Volunteering began when three men committed to maintaining what had been a special place for so many in and around the Highland capital (after the hospital closed in 1999). Retired fire officer John Cheadle, one of the original 3, who will lead the site visit, stated “The volunteers put in an immense effort. They even pay for the fuel for their implements, strimmers and the like. New recruits arrive having heard by word of mouth what we do in this important place.”

Please note:

  • there are no toilets or shelter available but refreshments will be available at the duckpond (tea/coffee/juice/cakes)

  • some of the paths are very steep and muddy and are not suitable for wheelchairs/restricted mobility 

  • the duckpond and cemetery have accessible paths