Aims and achievements

In the autumn of 2001 the heavily over-grazed hinterland of a local deer farm comprising 418 hectares (1100 acres) was put on the open market. The area of land lies adjacent to the 1300 metre iconic mountain of Schiehallion in undulating open country. The ground largely consists of heather-moorland with occasional boggy areas and contrasting limestone outcrops, an anomalous small Scots pine plantation, two burns (streams) running through it and the two hills, Dùn Beag and Dùn Coillich, the latter rising to 572 m.

At the time, the whole area was heavily overgrazed by sheep, deer and feral goats. A group of about 15 local people held a series of discussions leading to the conclusion that the area had great potential for community-based restoration, with the aim of creating a wildlife conservation area with observational and recreational facilities. Formal discussions took place with each of the 12 Community Councils in Highland Perthshire and 3 public meetings were held. The purchase cost of over £200,000 was raised locally and we took possession on 1st May 2002. Its purchase was the first community-led land buy-out in Perthshire and was made possible by great generosity from within Highland Perthshire.

Through J & H Mitchell WS, Pitlochry, the Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust (HPCLT) was formed as a Scottish Charity and Limited Company, with the following objectives (which you can find laid out in full in the Memorandum and Articles).

1. To benefit the communities of Highland Perthshire... through the sustainable use and management of land, water, habitat and wildlife.
2. To promote and advance education... including the conservation, enhancement, management and responsible enjoyment of Scotland's natural environment... and to provide, administer and maintain facilities, projects and policies.
3. To promote protect and conserve the biodiversity of Highland Perthshire for the benefit of its communities, its natural ecosystems and its wildlife.

We have a Woodland Grant Scheme in place, with the aim of re-establishing native woodland over about half the area. The whole area is fenced, previously to keep deer and sheep in, now to keep them out because they would eat young trees. In essence, it is our vision to turn the clock back to what this land might have been like, say 300 years ago – a mosaic of mixed woodland, heathland, wetland and limestone edges and grassland, together with the associated wildlife. Thus we aim to create an environment for both wildlife and for personal well-being. In these goals we are sympathetically aided by our neighbour to the west, the John Muir Trust, which owns the eastern slopes of Schiehallion up to the summit, and has comparable aims.

In the process we aim to include as many members of the community as possible, particularly young people from the schools in Highland Perthshire and organisations such as Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. We hope that young people will come back to Dùn Coillich in 20 years time and be able to say "I planted some of these trees; I helped to create this marvellous place with its wildlife".

Main achievements so far

• To familiarise people living in Highland Perthshire, annual open meetings have been held, talks given and a news letter distributed. Signboards have been put up at the three main entry points onto the land. Every summer there has been a programme of several pre-arranged walks, advertised in Comment and The Breadalbane Quair.
• A car-park, meeting planning regulations, which can accommodate 12 cars or mini-buses, has been constructed opening off the B846.

• The FC Woodland Grant Scheme in place at purchase was re-negotiated to comprise only native tree species. Approximately 80 ha have been planted and regeneration facilitated. The 38 goats were transferred to the Kent Wildlife Trust and sheep have been excluded. Removal of intruding deer and maintenance of fences is an ongoing commitment.
• Through the Rural Stewardship Scheme, four ponds have been created, 400 - 700 m from the car-park.
• Since opening the car park, Pitlochry High School and Kenmore Primary School have been bringing pupils regularly for wildlife experience.
• A small 3–room building (c. 24 square metre), with wheel-chair access, The Observation and Education Facility (The OEF), has been erected about 60 m from the car-park, overlooking the ponds and woodland.

Support from public bodies

• The car park and the OEF received financial support from the Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust.
• The OEF also received major support from the Perth & Kinross Quality of Life Trust.
• The Woodland Grant Scheme continues to receive support from the Forestry Commission.
• The Rural Stewardship Scheme (now no more) has supported bracken removal on the hills, annual planting of sacrificial crops for birds, and cattle grazing on the in-bye land.

Benefits to Perthshire tourism

• The car-park is used by tourists who stop to view the hill and investigate the burns. Preliminary boards invite tourists onto the hills. There is an historic route onto Schiehallion, and tracks link across the hills from our car-park to the Tomphubil and Schiehallion car-parks.

Walking routes network

• From the car-park, a new footbridge (in the design stage) will take visitors across the Goulandie burn and onto a network of routes around Dùn Coillich and across to link to the Schiehallion path.

Power generation

• Keltney Burn Hydro Ltd received approval to take water from the Allt Mor for generation of electricity. This run-of–river scheme includes a weir and a buried intake tank on our land for which we receive an annual rental, which now provides the ongoing support for tree planting and fence maintenance.