My name’s Neil and I’m the Administrator for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, a project that works with partners, landowners and volunteers to protect red squirrels where they are most under threat from the spread of non-native grey squirrels. Our Central Lowlands project area (which includes areas of the Forth from Stirling over to Clackmannan) is a key area for red squirrel conservation and we are keen to build up a strong network of volunteers and stakeholders across the region. Please view this map for more details (use the ‘layers’ button on the top right to select the ‘project areas’ layer) […]
Read more →Update: Harvesting and haulage operation on Hillfoots Hill is now likely to continue into January as opposed to the end of October as originally estimated. Dollar Harvesting Consultation Map 2018 Our next timber harvesting & haulage operation within Dollar Forest is scheduled to commence in early to mid-May 2018 – See attached map Harvesting is likely to effect the path network within the forest, some of which will be subject to temporary closure and diversion in the interest of public safety. Timber haulage will affect the use of the main forest road network within the forest with timber lorries regularly […]
Read more →Friends of the Ochils and the Forth Naturalist and Historian this year team up to organise the FNH annual conference in November. Everyone welcome ! Further details about: The Ochils – a special place Saturday 10th November 2018 at Stirling University can be found at http://www.fnh.stir.ac.uk/ as arrangements progress.
Read more →Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) have informed FotO of a large felling operation about to start in Glen Sherup Forest as shown in purple on the attached map. There is a large volume of timber to fell and extract, and as such works will last for approximately 8-10 months depending on the severity of the winter. It will be noted from the map that this operation will not directly affect the core path leading up to Glenquey Hill or the waymarked WT reservoir trail, however there will be regular timber haulage on the forest road down through the main car park. […]
Read more →A brand new illustrated edition of a children’s classic, Light on Dumyat by Rennie McOwan, is now in its fifth edition and has been specially illustrated for a new young readership. Rennie is the founder of Friends of the Ochils. This classic tale of adventure, friendship and courage is greatly influenced by the author’s childhood. Aimed at 7–11 year olds, there are no phones or i-pads, just four resourceful children roaming free, having adventures and being at one with their environment. Light on Dumyat is the first book in a series of four and introduces the key characters, Gavin and the […]
Read more →Glenquey Moss is saved – Deferred Refused Dismissed! The Quarry story summed up in 3 words Deferred Refused Dismissed! On 27 July 2015 the Scottish Government’s Reporter dismissed Cemex’s appeal. The Development Management Committee (DMC) of Perth & Kinross Council had refused Cemex’s planning application in November 2014. The Reporter’s decision ended a 5 year battle to ensure the protection and preservation of a wonderfully scenic and environmentally important site in the centre of the Ochils. In December 2010 Cemex lodged a planning application with Perth & Kinross Council seeking permission to extend their licence to extract sand and […]
Read more →Great news! On 19 November 2014 the Perth & Kinross Council (PKC) Development Management Committee (DMC) unanimously refused the planning application submitted by CEMEX UK Ltd for an extension to their licence (unworked) to extract sand and gravel at Glenquey Moss in Glendevon. We are delighted with this decision. CEMEX submitted their planning application on 19 December 2010 and it has been a long hard battle ever since. The DMC decision shows that it is always worth fighting planning applications where we believe they are for a development that is simply inappropriate. We thank everybody who took the time to submit an objection to PKC, attend […]
Read more →It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Dave Prentice whilst climbing one of the peaks of Mount Elgon in Uganda recently. Dave was a long-time committee member and enthusiastic supporter of Friends of the Ochils and whilst his love of the hills extended to many parts of the world, it was in the Ochils that he often spent time when home. His involvement with and contribution to orienteering was widely recognised, and he always seemed to be off somewhere, including the Ochils, setting a new course or organising an event. All on the Friends […]
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