Carron Valley Forest

Carron Valley Forest

New Path Through Trees Showing Lower Branch Removal

New Path with culvert to aid drainage

Open vista of carron valley reservoir

The Carron Valley Forest catered primarily for mountain bikers and hardy walkers.

The Carron Valley Partnership (CVP – see below for partners) was formed to develop facilities for a more diverse range of visitors in and around the Forest.

Access for all was recognised as a key need and the CVP developed proposals to build on the success of the existing mountain bike trails already and the ongoing Duncarron Fort development by Clanranald (the MacDonald clan’s historic name).

CVP identified a range of project priorities including better facilities at the car park and increasing the range of people who could benefit from the impressive landscape Carron Valley offers.

CSFT was commissioned to lead the design and implementation process for this multi-user loch side trail which was very different to the typical urban fringe route as the chosen path went through mature forest planting, and across slopes, water flows and soft ground, all making design and construction very challenging.

Project achievements:

• Minimising tree felling to retain the landscape
• Carefully constructing the path, mostly using whinstone quarried on site, to reduce its impact on the landscape
• 1081m of new paths created
• 324m of paths upgraded
• A new timber kit bridge built downstream from the old aqueduct which served as a bridge across the Slachristock Burn for many years as it was deemed unsuitable to take any additional ‘traffic’
• A new toilet block built

The route is now more family-friendly and suitable for easy walking, cycling and even horseriding.

A volunteer day in May 2010 launched the construction of Duncarron Fort by Clanranald, an ambitious development to build a replica Motte and Bailey fort which will act as a centre for visitors and educational trips.

CVP partners (Forestry Commission Scotland, Central Scotland Forest Trust, North Lanarkshire Council, Stirling Council, Scottish Water, Clanranald and the Carron Valley Development Group).

Total cost £110,881 funded by:

CSFT

Forestry Commission Scotland

North Lanarkshire Council

Scottish Natural Heritage

WREN (Landfill Community Fund)