The Dùn Coillich Community Land Project: progress 2007 - 2009

Spring 2007

2007 AGM The AGM was held in the Ballinluig Hall on the afternoon of Saturday 24 Mar, all gaily decorated for a subsequent birthday party. The formal business, chaired by Paul Jarvis, followed three rolling displays of Dùn Coillich wildlife, archaeology, and 2006 activities. View AGM minutes. 25 folk, including some welcome new faces and some new trustees, made this a lively and constructive meeting which was a good prelude to "Mountains Matter". This was a fascinating talk enthusiastically given by Prof Martin Price, Director of Mountain Studies at UHI. A look at mountains worldwide, highlighting their importance as sacred sites, as recreational areas, as the major source of minerals, as the major source of water, and as the home to many foodstuffs that may yet become important. Mountains are also one of the best sites for observing the effects of climate change. The lively post talk discussion indicated how much the talk was enjoyed. A raffle for a very nice Malcolm Appleby pendant comprising a pair of silver primroses was won by Marjorie Finlayson, a previous trustee and good supporter of the trust.

Summer 2007

SWT's Wildlife Week One of the various events held in Highland Perthshire during SWT's Wildlife Week in early June was a walk on Dùn Coillich. This photo by Ray Taylor shows some of the 17 folk who joined Bill Hoare on this walk, folk from Highland Perthshire and from much further afield. And what did they see? The surprising variety of terrain within this little bit of Perthshire. The views over Lochs Kinnardochy and Tummel, and of traces of Gen Wade's road, clear although now buried under farmland. Traces of historic habitation and cultivation, and of the recent planting of a very wide range of native species of trees. Natural regeneration was also encouragingly visible in some areas, birch, aspen, elder, scots pine, and of course rowan. And what of other wildlife? The usual birds such as buzzard, cuckoo, pipits, wagtails, ravens etc and great views of stonechats - what a handsome chap the male is. Orchids just starting to bloom, some sedges already in flower with bog myrtle not far behind. Butterflies and moths, usually too fleeting a view to positively identify. And no rain until end of the four hour stroll! Check out SWT locally.

Beavers at work on Dùn Coillich? Yes, but not the tree-eating sort. On what seemed like one of the few days with decent weather in June, 17 young members of the 17th Perthshire (Aberfeldy) colony of cub scouts, better known as beavers, enjoyed an early evening on Dùn Coillich. Ably and enthusiastically led by Rachel Loudon and Roger Holmes, all the youngsters enjoyed themselves, learnt a few things, and made themselves useful. They planted a few trees and promised to return to see them grow. They looked at assorted mini creatures dipped from the Glengoulandie burn and nearby ponds. And some climbed part way up the hill to the old Scots pine wood to collect a little kindling for a bonfire over which hotdogs were later heated and then rapidly consumed. A few wet feet did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm; they all wanted to "have a go" at everything on offer. There were some quieter moments too. The gentle handling of a very cooperative slow-worm, a stranger to some but quickly recognised as a legless lizard by others. The close up and magnified views of a couple of wild flowers including the beautiful heartsease. Rachel and Roger took the opportunity to introduce a new recruit to the troop, a nice little ceremony with one of the established members doing the introduction. What a pleasant way to involve youngsters in the taking of responsibility. For some of them, their activities on Dùn Coillich resulted in the successful completion of work for their Scottish Challenge and Outdoor Challenge Badges that were duly presented. A good day, enjoyed by the "beavers", their leaders, and their hosts and guides Tim, Russell, and Bill, all trustees of Dùn Coillich.

Visitor Access and Car Park The wall between the car park and the road has now been lowered, to improve visibility for drivers leaving the car park, and the new signs have been put up.

A visit on the 15th of July of 11 people from the Carrifran Wildwood Group in the Borders was a great success. Several of the Trustees also joined the group for a walk around Dùn Coillich on a beautiful day. A golden eagle was spotted in the basin and a peregrine falcon over Schiehallion, as well as many plants.

Obituary 16 August 2007 saw the unexpected death of Dr I. Riddell, a Trustee of HPCLT during its first five years. A colourful character, from a long established local family, he served for a time as a Doctor in the Royal Marines developing procedures for medical treatment of injuries in harsh arctic conditions. He had a keen interest in wildlife and planted many trees in his part of Glenlyon. He will be missed by his family and others.

Autumn 2007

17 youngsters from Kenmore School visited Dùn Coilich on the 24th of October. They had a lot of fun planting trees and learning more about their local environment.

Spring 2008

The 2008 AGM was held on the 15th of March, at The Tryst, Pitlochry. We were privileged to have Prof. Aubrey Manning present a brilliant talk "Life & the Earth; Interlocking History" after the official business was completed. View AGM minutes.

Summer 2008

Friday 30 May was CSV Action Earth 2008's day at Dùn Coillich. Twenty two pupils from Pitlochry High School with twelve adult volunteers met at the Dùn and worked hard all morning. Nearly 100 trees were planted; the new observation and education facility got its second coat of Butinox, wild-flower seed was sown on the banks lining the wheel-chair friendly path; nesting boxes were put up on trees and other sites; bird feeders filled with seed and unsightly barbed wire removed and repairs made to the banks of the scrapes.

The volunteers varied in age from under 2 to over 75 and worked hard under the supervision of trustees and the morning's work culminated in lemonade and buns [or a beer for the adults]. It was a very happy occasion and introduced a lot of young people to Dùn Coillich as the superb community amenity that it is.

A new member of the Highland Perthshire Community Land Trust from the south commented particularly on the enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment of the well mannered schoolboys and girls. The Trust thanks everyone involved, especially CSV Action Earth 2008 which financed all the materials. [CSV news and photo from www.commentonline.co.uk]

Opening of the Observation & Educational Facility at Dùn Coillich After three years of fund-raising and planning the Observation & Educational Facility (OEF) is now open on Dùn Coillich. The wooden building has three rooms: an educational room, with seating for twelve people together with information sheets on geology, archaeology, history and natural history of Dùn Coillich; a second smaller room is a bird hide with views over rough grassland and the specially constructed scrapes designed to attract wading and reed birds; the third, smallest room, is a store.

At the party to open the OEF, on June 10th, Bill Hoare welcomed the 50 or so guests and thanked all who had assisted in the project especially the major donors, Perth & Kinross Quality of Life Fund and the James Thin Trust. The new baby's head was duly wet with wine and everyone congratulated the OEF sub-committee of Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust on a worthwhile addition to the Trust's work on Dùn Coillich.

The OEF is already being used as an amenity for walking and natural history groups and pupils from nearby schools meet there with their teachers for outdoor activities and lessons about wildlife. Access is limited at present but it is hoped it will be more freely accessible to the public in due course.

Winter 2008

HPCLT wins conservation award HPCLT is proud and delighted to have been awarded the Perthshire Big Tree Country Award for Wildlife Conservation in the Community. We were announced as the winner at the Award Ceremony at Gleneagles on Sunday 16th November, organised by the Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust. We were presented with a beautiful piece of hand-carved oak by the BBC environment correspondent, Louise Batchelor. Together with a framed certificate, this will be on display in the Observation and Education Facility (the OEF) at the car park on Dùn Coillich.

Spring 2009

A successful meeting was held on Saturday 7th March 2009 in the Molteno Hall. Fortingall. Following the formal 2009 AGM, at which three new Trustees were elected, almost 40 people enjoyed a fascinating  talk,  "Wildlife Crime in Highland Perthshire",  by  Alan Stewart.  Alan is a retired Police Inspector, author of "Wildlife Detective", and is respected nationwide for his work in fighting wildlife crime.

Summer 2009

Tree Planting in Dùn Coillich:

"On the 20th of May, Pitlochry's 1st year went to Dùn Coillich, near Kinloch Rannoch. S1-Y and S1-X were split into 4 groups and went off to either plant trees up on the hills, cutting down fences or walking and exploring the fantastic Scottish countryside, finding fools gold and special types of rock. We also visited the Linestone Kiln.

The famous, JK Rowling helped to buy the community land so that it could be re-created. Deer had been eating the trees in Dùn Coillich for quite a while now and many of the trees had gone. It was our job to plant some more trees in their place. This involved walking through muddy bogs and water on the way to the top of the hill. That, plus carrying spades, full of little trees and canes for smacking off the bracken (so that they wouldn't grow again). It was good fun.

It was a simple process. All we had to do was dig up the soil, stick in the little tree and fill up the hole, whilst hitting the heads off the BRACKEN. We managed to plant about 15 trees, including Birch and Scots Pine in our pair.

It was a great experience for us all and it felt great re-creating our brilliant Scottish hillsides and we can't wait to do it again."

by Martin MacLeod and Hazel MacLeod of Pitlochry High School's 1st year.

And from Annie Ramsay-Stagg of Pitlochry High School's class S1x...

"On Wednesday 20th of May all of S1 went out to Dùn Coillich to do three different activities. We were split into three groups with different teachers.

The first thing our group did was to see the famous Schiehallion and learn about the John Muir Trust. Then we had lunch and set off to do some fence work. We had to take down an old fence by cutting the wires then working the posts over to the big pile which they were going to burn.

Then we headed up the steep hill to plant some baby tree which will hopefully grow to massive heights. We did this as the land has been ruined by all the deer. The new landowners have decided that the landscape needs to go back to its natural state as all the birds are losing their homes.

It was a really fun day out and everyone really enjoyed it!"

Fire and Fun At Dùn Coillich:

Saturday Sept 18th saw a glow in the sky as several trustees and friends of HPCLT enjoyed an informal get-together by the burn below the car park and visitor centre at Dùn Coillich. We have recently been removing redundant fencing and the old fence stobs made a fierce and picturesque fire. We were blessed with dry weather and the bonfire kept us warm and midge free. BYOB was the order of the day and the work of several trustees produced a trestle table groaning with delicious and colourful fare. In addition, red deer liver was finely sliced and grilled. Some guests came unprepared for a water crossing, but a sense of humour and extra wellies saved the day. All in all, it was a pleasant and convivial occasion, much enjoyed by all.

Earlier in the Summer, a group of beavers and cubs came to complete a circuit of marked information stations. The groups of six visited the stations in turn, learning a different subject at each point. Topics covered were flowers, trees, birds, mammals, rocks and pond dipping (where they were astonished at the number of creepy crawlies to be found in such an innocuous looking puddle!) At one point, they had to sit and listen for animal and bird sounds. It was a fairly strenuous climb for the younger, even the adults being challenged. It appeared that the children had been sufficiently prepared, but not all the adults! Meanwhile, a support team were busied preparing some much appreciated sausages and burgers. Hay fever became the only problem, and again, it was a fine evening with not too many midges.