Sponsored Kestrel Nestboxes

 

Our first batch of 12 kestrel nest boxes, manufactured by Wood Recyclability in Pitmedden, are now installed on the edge of woods around Durris. Thanks to the sponsors of these boxes, and to FCS for mounting the boxes in appropriate places. Sponsors will have further details of location. We hope that homeless kestrels will also be informed!

           

 

Clune Wood Story Trails

Winner of the Green Butterfly Award

Copies of the brochure for the Story Trails in Clune Wood have been sent to members and are widely available in libraries or from the Forestry offices at Kirkton of Durris. If you know of a location that would like some leaflets, such as a local B&B, please contact FCS for supplies.

 

Clune Children’s Challenge

Saturday 16 April at 2.00pm

·         Clune Easter Egg hunt: younger children

·         Clune orienteering quiz: older children

Meet at Clune Wood at the story trail map.

Come along and join the fun after the school hols.

Dry Stane Dyking

FDF plan to hold a further dry stane dyke building course in April 2005. If you would like to learn the skill of dyking, please contact John Coyne on 844787. The course will be held over two days: 23 and 30 April 2005.

Cairnfauld Wood

The trail and outdoor classroom in Cairnfauld is much appreciated by the nursery and playgroup, and the young children. We hope that they will spend many happy hours in Cairnfauld Wood, and enjoy the opportunities of the forest.

 

Dog mess

People are concerned about dog mess at the entrance to Clune Wood and Woodlands Wood.

Dog owners are asked to train their dogs not to use the path as a public lavatory, and to remove any faeces that are deposited by their dogs in places where children might be expected to walk or play.

 

My favourite walk V: Kirkton Wood

Distance: 1.4km   Difficulty: medium  Surface: mainly on-road

 

Start at the auld bridge at Kirkton of Durris, on the east bank of the Sheeoch. Take care for the bridge structure is at present unsafe, and should not be used. Admire the gorge between the auld bridge and the new road bridge, where the Sheeoch burn tumbles over rocks beneath some fine old beech trees – a hidden gem of Durris.

 

The first part of this walk follows a path that is ill defined, but it has been cleared of branches. It is worth the effort to explore the burnside. From the auld bridge, scramble along the side of the Sheeoch heading south, along an unmarked path, for about 200 yards. When you are opposite the old Kirkton mill on the other bank, a wee valley appears on your left, follow up the right hand side of this valley and arrive at a little used forest road near to the Forestry Commission store and workshops. Bear right, and after 100 yards, turn left up the hill.

 

Walk all the way up to the easterly corner of the wood, where you will find the Clune Wood bronze age cairn, a circle of modest sized stones. Take the well-worn path to the left, heading down to reach the back of the Forestry offices and back down the road to the Kirkton.

 

You can shorten the walk by turning left on an old road half way up the hill, to omit the walk to the stone circle; or by starting from the Forestry workshops, to omit the walk along the Sheeoch.

 

Kirkton Wood also provides fine mountain biking.