Stuart Dean, FotO Chair

Stuart Dean, Chair

My wife and I have lived in the delightful village of Muckhart for the past 18 years and prior to that we were in Bridge of Allan for 15 years. The Ochils have been our local hills for all of that time and I have to come to love their wide open spaces and the hidden secrets that they hold. In my time as Chair I have come to know so many people committed to protecting the Ochils from unacceptable developments such as windfarms, quarries and power lines. It is to be hoped that the efforts of the Friends can make a difference so that further damage is not inflicted on this wonderful range of hills.

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Malcolm Best,Ā  Vice Chair & Treasurer

My wife (Tana) and I and our two dogs live at Glenquey Farmhouse in Glenquey and haveĀ done soĀ since retiring (early!) in July 2008.Ā Ā  Glenquey is an incredibly beautiful spot surrounded by hills – Innerdownie, Auchlinsky, Whitewisp, Common Edge and not far from Tarmangie and Ben Cleuch! Much of the area is owned by Woodland Trust Scotland, who have carried out extensive tree planting in the last 10 years, helping to ensure the areaĀ remainsĀ as beautiful as it is now. We joined FoTOĀ a couple of years ago and have beenĀ impressed at the level of passion and commitment the organisation has for these wonderful hills and the energy the committee puts into ensuring they remain that way. Offering to join the committee was an obvious thing to do!

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David Scott,Ā  Secretary & Membership Secretary

Iā€™ve been lucky enough to live next to the Ochils for the past 25 years, and as a keen hill runner and walker am often out for a long saunter over the highest tops or a run up Dumyat. The Ochils are a treasure trove of interest whether for landscape, farming, history, geology, or outdoor activities, and deserve protection from any development that is out of place. I have been a member of FotO for a number of years, joining the Committee as Secretary in 2008.Ā  I now also look after the membership admin.

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Chris Boness,  Newsletter editor

Having lived in Falkirk for many years, the Ochil’s have dominated the views I see travelling to and from work in Stirling. On Grahams Road near Falkirk town centre, Wood Hill is framed and magnified by the buildings in this busy road. I’ve explored these hills with my camera in all seasons and weather and these hills are a superb place to explore and escape from the everyday pressures of our bustling lives. As I’ve wandered these hills, I’ve realised the importance of preserving this fantastic resource for future generations so they too can have a place to enjoy, as I have.