Taynuilt Community Council

Notes from Meeting with Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS)
And
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

14th September 2006


The purpose of the meeting was to get an update from FCS / SNH on the management of the Glen Nant, National Nature Reserve (NNR) and to discuss the potential for a footpath linkage from Taynuilt.

This ties in with the work which is being carried out by the community council to improve the infrastructure in the village for pedestrians, together with the network of paths around the village.

Chair
The meeting was chaired by Peter McCracken – Taynuilt Community Council (TCC)

Introductions
Those attending the meeting introduced themselves:-
Peter McCracken (PMcC) – TCC & Paths Steering Group
Tom Mclellan (TMcL) – TCC & Paths Steering Group
Alan Livingstone (AL) – TCC & Paths Steering Group
Cathie Reid (CR) – TCC
Mary Stone (MS) – TCC
Marjorie McGregor (MMcG) – TCC Steering Group
Sheila & Jim Grant (SG) & (JG) – Landowners
Donald MacLennan (DMacL) – Kirkton, Airds & Balindore Grazings Clerk
Elaine Jamieson (EJ) – District Forester with FCS
Alan McDonnell (AMcD) – Glen Nant NNR Reserve Manager for SNH
Angus Blair (AB) – SNH Local Officer
Bob Black (BB) – Advisor to FCS & SNH

TCC Paths Initiative
TMcL gave an overview of the current position with regards to the initiative being taken forward by TCC:-






FCS and SNH Proposals for Paths Within & to Glen Nant NNR
AMcD summarised the Reserve Plan for Glen Nant, which will be a mechanism setting out what is to be done, for consultation and community involvement. BB has been drafting the plan, which would encompass the history of the area, the proposals for the next 6 years, including management for public access, interpretation and promotion. There needs to be consideration of who the audience is – locals, visitors or both.

The draft plan will be sent to TCC for consideration and input.

Proposed Access Routes
BB gave an overview of the public access routes within the NNR and potential routes for footpath access to the NNR. Some of this information had been derived from old FCS maps and BB went over the historical interest within the NNR, such as old settlements which could be opened up for interpretation, to old drove roads and pony tracks used when the area was being managed for charcoal production for the Bonawe Iron Smelter. All the route proposals had emerged through the community consultation exercise carried out on 4th December 2004.

The issue of connecting the NNR by footpath to Taynuilt through the adjacent common grazings, was raised.

DMacL said that there were 32 crofters who were members of the common grazings. Any consultation / agreement would be required with the members. Issues relating to stock (particularly bulls) and liability were discussed. It was agreed that formal paths would only be put in place if everyone agreed and wanted to see that happen.

JG said as landowner he was not against the idea of making a connection between the NNR and Taynuilt in principle, but that he had concerns relating to liability, the need to make sure that it makes sense from everyone’s point of view and leads to minimal disruption. The landowners / crofters need time to consider the proposals which had been put forward and need to study the maps / aerial photograph which FCS / SNH had prepared, before they would be in a position to make constructive comments.

AL said it was sensible to recognise the concerns about potential conflict between the general public, who would include visitors who might not be familiar or comfortable in the countryside, and farm stock. Consideration may need to be given to creating a separation, by fencing.




PMcC highlighted the fact, that it was important to recognise the upside from the point of view of improving the range of things to do for visitors / tourists, which was important to the local economy. The linkage of footpaths to and within the NNR, together with interpretation related to the Bonawe Iron Furnace, would all enhance the experience of visiting Taynuilt.

CR questioned, why do anything ? – if people want to go there they will – no need to spend a lot of money doing more.

AMcD said that the standard and level of possible path works would to some extent depend on who the users were. SNH / FCS had been surprised by the good level of interest shown at the open day and were taking forward the consultation with this in mind, but accepted that the landowner / crofter interests were equally as important.

DMacL said connection would be feasible, but would need the agreement of all the members of the grazings.

TMcL said that the issue of liability and insurance cover was one for the landowner and tenant to discuss with their respective insurers. The fact was that the Scottish Outdoor Access Code permitted the general public to go almost anywhere on foot, by push bike and by horse, including crossing gates and fences whether a path exists or not, so long as they act responsibly. Equally it is for landowners and land mangers to act responsibly to facilitate such access. It was his understanding that the day to day management of public access was vested in the local authority through their Access Forum and their Access Officers. Advice on management of access would be best gained through the Argyll & Bute Access Officers, together with potential sources of funding.

SG said that she felt it was important to make good access provision in and around Taynuilt and AL confirmed that TCC agreed with this and was intent on making improvements, in consultation with Argyll & Bute Council and other funding partners.

TMcL asked SNH if they would be willing to be partners in funding improved footpath access, which they confirmed that they would be.

AB reminded everyone that the level of SNH funding for agreed work adjacent to the village would be 50% of agreed costs. An application was being considered at present, up to a value of just under £10k, but that this was being reviewed in the light of the failure of the FS application, with a much more targeted improvement to the Airds Bay, Bonawe Furnace Lade and Inverawe Smokery footpaths now being considered. The proposed work would include some upgrading for access by wheelchair users, most likely along a section of the footpath from the village to Airds Bay. Co-funding would be required for any agreed works.

Summary

It was agreed that the Landowners / Crofters would go away and consider the proposals and maps which FCS / SNH had put on the table and a further meeting would be convened in about one months time.

FCS/SNH would arrange a presentation to the community in December 2006 of the routes proposed and issues relating to them with a view to prioritising/focusing work. Also to get an idea of what customers the community would like to encourage to the reserve. The presentation would also review the other sections of the plan.

TCC, in liaison with SNH, would re-submit a bid for funding for improvement of the path network adjacent to the village and would press on with applications to the BLF and WHELK.