Friends of the Ochils Newsletter 21: Autumn 2002Glendevon Recreational ProjectTHIS PROJECT has been slowly developing under the leadership of former FotO member and chairman Alistair Lawson, wearing his hat as an employee of the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society. FotO has three reasons for maintaining an interest in the GRP. Firstly, we would always want to be concerned with any developments which have the potential to impact upon the landscape of the Ochils or to enhance public enjoyment of the Ochils. Secondly, as has been pointed out by members (eg see Lindsay Sands' letter in the spring 2002 newsletter), access on the ground can mean little if there is nowhere to park the car. At the GRP meeting in July the main focus was intended to be the issue of parking in the Devon / Eagles corridor. Thirdly, it fits with our present dialogue with the Woodland Trust, since they are now major landowners on the west side of Glen Devon. Sadly, multi-agency progress seems likely to be slow. There is no sign of any agency being able and willing to take the lead. Of particular note is that Perth and Kinross Council would prefer to support a community group rather than take the lead directly. This fits with the current fashion for communities to take the lead: a good thing but one which can also lead to the ironic situation where paid officials spend longer supporting unpaid volunteers than it would take for them to do the job directly. I was able to attend the meeting in July only because my work in Lanarkshire had a public holiday. Otherwise we would have had the even more ironic situation of the representative of a voluntary organisation taking at least a half-day off work to attend a meeting that was part of the working time of some other attenders! There is potential to develop improved recreational access, and certainly a need for some modest improvement in car parking to enable the hills and glens to be reached. It would be best taken forward on the basis proposed by Alistair Lawson - of considering the whole of Glen Devon from Castlehill Reservoir to upper Glen Eagles. However, at present it relies on the energy of Alistair, and it is not clear that the overall vision can be achieved - although progress may be possible in specific areas. We would be particularly interested to hear the view of members in Glen Devon and Glen Eagles, and in Muckhart and Auchterarder. We would be more than interested if a local member would consider representing FotO on the GRP. It is easy to think of ways in which this project might develop to benefit walkers, other recreational interests and local businesses. It is not so easy to find time to explore the feasibility of different options and to press the most beneficial on those with the financial and political resources to make things happen. David Gordon |