Friends of Durris Forests - Newsletter 8   -   August 2001

Off Road Driving Moves On

Off road driving will be removed from Durris Forest soon. Forest Enterprise assures us that the planning application for an alternative location is imminent, and that removal of the Land-Rover operation is expected by the autumn.

Following our successful negotiation with senior managers in January 2001, Forest Enterprise has been seeking an alternative site outwith Durris Forests. We would prefer there to be no off road driving in any public forest, as more than 500 people agreed when they signed the Petition to the Scottish Parliament.

Meantime, Forest Enterprise report that vehicles are accessing Durris Forest directly, without passing through Kirkton Wood.

Forest Design Plan

FDF have already met with Forest Enterprise to define the future strategy for the forests. The focus is now on the outlying woods around Durris, from the Mulloch, via Cairnshee and Funach, to Kirkton and Clune Wood and then Warren, Ashentilly, and Currackstane, and a few more in between.

As part of the consultation process, a public display of the Durris Outliers Design Plan is scheduled for Kirkton Hall in the autumn. FDF is pleased to support more public involvement in the design of our forests.

The new buzz word in forestry is ‘continuous cover’, where the forest is thinned regularly, but is not clear felled in large areas. It is proposed to employ continuous cover in all of the outlying woods.

Horses and Riders

The FDF equestrian group is meeting in September to discuss plans for the improvement of access and routes in the forest. Horse-riding is a popular recreation in Durris forests, and the special interest group is working out specific proposals.

The FDF Committee has agreed to co-opt horse-riders to the Committee in order to ensure that the needs of these forest users are taken on board.

The agenda for the September meeting includes:

·         improved access

·         more link routes

·         better parking for horse-boxes

·         variety of surfaces on trails

Elsick Mounth Walk

The walk from Drumoak to Stonehaven will take place on Saturday, 1 September. Departure from the Glebe by Park Bridge at 10.00 am, the walk follows the way-marked path, off-road for 5 miles between Warren Wood and Auquhollie, and then on to Stonehaven via Cheyne Wood.

Walkers are welcome to join the walk for any part of the route. Those who wish a more gentle stroll are encouraged to join at the Bruntyairds entrance to Durris Forest at about 12.00 noon. The whole distance to Stonehaven is about 12 miles. Transport may be available in the morning from Fetteresso to Park Bridge for those who wish to leave a car at the end of the walk – please contact Philip Dean in good time on 01330-811308.

AGM: 19 November 2001

The Annual General Meeting of FDF is planned for Monday, 19 November 2001, in Kirkton Hall.

At the meeting there will be displays of a number of projects proposed, including the Kirkton Trail at Kirkton Wood, new link paths in Durris Forest and outliers, the new cycle trail, improvements for horse-riders. It will be a real opportunity to build a new shape for the Durris Forests.

Forest Map

We are working on creating a simple, meaningful map of the forest roads and trails that really exist, to enable users to enjoy the forests more.

Forestry Operations

Felling has now been completed in Durris Forest. Thinning operations will continue in the South West sector of the forest, with extraction via the Slug Road. The main circular forest road will continue to be closed in that part of the forest through August and September.

The extensive timber operations in 2001 have an up-side. Forest Enterprise has sold a great deal of timber, which will help its balance sheet, and keep foresters in work. Over the next few years there will be little timber extraction from Durris Forest. We will have a unique opportunity to re-shape the forest as trees grow again.

Please take care in the forests and keep away from timber operations. Stacks of logs are dangerous, and children (and adults) should not climb on them.

Kirkton Trail

A route has been mapped out for an improved environmental trail in Kirkton Wood, giving viewpoints over the Sheeoch Burn, access to the old Kirkton Bridge, and linking a variety of environmental and forestry features.

FDF has won the support of Dunecht Estate, Aberdeenshire Council, and Forest Enterprise for the restoration of the old bridge. The bridge is at present in a decayed state, with the parapets toppled into the burn. The restoration of the bridge is an ambitious project, which will enhance the Kirkton environment. The first step is to commission a professional survey to evaluate the work that is needed to the listed monument.

FDF Website

See the FDF website for the latest about Durris Forest and the outlying woods, our alternative plan, photos of environmental impact of off road driving:

www.friendsofdurrisforests.co.uk Check out the activities planned for 2001 and all the latest news.

Volunteer Day

Come and plant trees and bulbs in the forest!

Hack down Sitka Spruce trees that have self-seeded in the midst of deciduous plantations.

On 28^th October, FDF will have a volunteer day to enable people to help improve different parts of the forest. We will plant trees and bulbs around the car-parks and at other strategic locations. We will clear unwanted growth that threatens deciduous trees.

On the last occasion that FDF organised a volunteer day, more than one hundred people turned out to help clear the Elsick Mounth path. Make a note in your diary, and join us again!

Membership

Thanks to all members who have continued their support of FDF by renewing their membership in the past few months. If you have not yet joined, why not fill in the form below. With your support we can help to make the Durris Forests a better place for all sorts of genuine recreational users.