| Carron Glen SSSI |
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Carron Glen Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is the largest semi-natural woodland in Falkirk. Totalling 43ha in area, it is divided into three distinct sections: an easterly woodland managed by Scottish Wildlife Trust as a Wildlife Reserve; a middle grassland; and a small western woodland. The project focused on the western woodland, an area renowned for its Oak/Ash species-rich 7 hectares woodland, which was suffering from the establishment of ‘exotic’ species of Sycamore and Beech and lack of management. CSFT was approached by SNH to look at a woodland creation project adjacent to the SSSI following contact from one of the SSSI owners. Following discussions with SNH, a management plan was developed to bring the SSSI into favourable conservation status and to expand the woodland westward along the Glen. Four local landowners agreed to exclude livestock from the woodland by repairing or reinstating fencing. Work began in February 2007.
Project achievements:
In the Glen are the remains of a house, the Hermitage, built on a rock ‘island’ in the middle of the river in 1801 by Robert Hill as a retreat. It was a large building, with the outline of four substantial rooms on the ground floor still visible. A stable and cellar were cut into the bedrock and a large picture window looked over the Auchinlillylinn Spout waterfall. Although listed on the National Monuments Register of Scotland, Birch and Sycamore scrub has started to form on the island, causing damage this important cultural asset. Severe access issues and lack of funding have prevented action to reverse this deterioration.
Total cost £48,000 funded by: CSFT Scottish Natural Heritage |
