A DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF WALKING ROUTES IN ASSOCIATION WITH MARK HILL WIND FARM. 25 th March Prepared by Force 9 Energy

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1 A DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF WALKING ROUTES IN ASSOCIATION WITH MARK HILL WIND FARM 25 th March 2006 Prepared by Force 9 Energy

2 INTRODUCTION This paper presents an outline of potential leisure/recreational facilities that could be developed in parallel with the wind farm at Mark Hill and in a manner that could be of benefit to the village of Barrhill and the wider community. This paper also responds directly to concerns raised previously by Barrhill Community Council about public access issues. The paper has been prepared by Force 9 Energy, developers of the proposed wind farm at Mark Hill. In previous discussion with the local community, Force 9 Energy has indicated its willingness to help develop a local network of walking routes. BACKGROUND Consultation has taken place with Mr Mark Wilson who is responsible for Land Management on Mark Hill and the surrounding area, representatives of Barrhill Community Council and Drew Moyes (a keen walker and supporter of the Carrick Way project). It is clear from those discussions that the main potential in terms of development of leisure interests for Barrhill is likely to be walking. It is also clear from consultation that changes have taken place over the years in terms of land use around Barrhill which makes it eminently possible for individuals to take responsible access onto certain areas whilst, at the same time, enabling land managers and others to carry out their day to day work effectively. It needs to be emphasised that members of the public wishing to take access will continue to be responsible for their own health, safety and actions. Reflecting this, certain routes have been defined so as to enhance the safety of the general public, avoid conflict with normal farming and sporting activities and avert disruption of ecologically sensitive areas. There are two main groups of walkers who may wish to walk in the Barrhill area: 1. Those who wish to walk long distance routes from one area to another (and who could bring additional economic benefit to the village). 1. Those who wish to use paths close to where they live, on a fairly regular basis but wish to minimise disturbance or inconvenience to animals, birds and people who either live or work on the land. Site visitors to the wind farm may also fall into this category.

3 DEVELOPMENT OF LONG DISTANCE ROUTES The Carrick Way is currently being developed to provide a high profile and well publicised pathway from Barr into the area. The current plan envisages The Carrick Way utilising a route from Barr towards the head of Muck Water, then to utilise routes along the Muck Water, crossing the Duisk River at Pinwherry and then to follow the direction of the River Stinchar towards Colmonell and, ultimately, Ballantrae. Such a plan would mean that Barrhill would not be on the direct route but served by a spur from the Carrick Way. The traditional right of way from Barrhill to Barr is under utilised as it goes by way of Black Clauchrie and Loch Scalloch. It not only involves additional distance but passes through fairly dense forestry and is currently difficult to locate once on the hill. There is also a route through the Arecleoch Forest connecting to Colmonell. Both routes are not considered to be of much benefit to walkers and are therefore under used. It would, however, be possible to create a direct link to Barrhill from Barr by extending the proposed wind farm tracks at the northern extremity of Mark Hill to connect with the Forest Enterprise track at Little Shalloch. This would enable walkers from Barr to choose whether to walk towards Barrhill or Pinwherry or potentially for the Carrick Way to pass through Barrhill. Barrhill is the only village served by a railway station and it is therefore an attractive starting / stopping point for walkers. It should also be noted that the creation of the wind farm and the associated removal of trees will open up some exceptionally good views for walkers. This report suggests that walkers by-pass the farmyard at Balluskie by utilising the proposed access route that is required (for the same reason) for the wind farm. This recognises that it is inappropriate for the general public to pass through the farmyard. Many walkers may also feel they are invading privacy at Balluskie Farmhouse, by utilising the steep driveway from the sewage works. It may also be possible to consider upgrading the pathway to the Martyr s Tomb and incorporating that path with a link to the station.

4 The creation of such a long distance route (and possibly shorter routes) should ensure that Barrhill is considered as a venue for the South Carrick Walking Festival which is held annually and would not entail entry into fields containing livestock as the proposed access route will be fenced. Consideration could also be given to the provision of a parking area at Duisk Bridge (there is flat ground where the Barrhill rubbish coup used to be). SUGGESTED SHORT ROUTES It is apparent from consultation that a number of shorter routes can be developed but it may not be practicable to develop and thereafter maintain all the routes at the same time. It is also apparent that by-passing Balluskie Farmyard, as described earlier, allows the number of routes from Barrhill to be maximised. The following routes are set out below for consideration. Route 1: Gateway at Duisk Bridge by-pass Balluskie (using proposed fenced access road to wind farm) and head towards redundant sheep dip to the NE of Balluskie Farm. Thereafter, adopt new road through young plantation (Peat Gate) towards Laggan Farm. This route has good views of the Galloway Hills. It would then be possible to use the public road to walk towards Darnaconnar (ie looking at views towards Feoch Burn and Standard once Feoch Bank has been felled) or consider a circular route via Low Laggan (ruined cottage) and then by forming a pathway within Sunnybrae so as to return to Duisk Bridge. Consultation with the owner of Blair Farm could improve route of pathway for this route as it has been noted that new woodland/change of use of land is underway. Route 2: Gateway at Duisk Bridge by-pass Balluskie (using proposed fenced access road to wind farm) and head towards redundant sheep dip to the NE of Balluskie Farm. Head SW to junction of road servicing Knockmalloch Farm. Head towards Knockmalloch Farm. At Knockmalloch Farm there are two options as follows:

5 Route 2 (a): Walk along the road beside Mill Burn to Mill Loch and onward to Loch Farroch. It would then be possible to join up with a section of the proposed long distance route for the Carrick Way and thereby return to Duisk Bridge. Route 2 (b) Continue from Knockmalloch to Knockytinnel and pass through ancient woodland of Common Plantation towards Barbae Hill (Trig point / view point). Adopt link road into Craigcannochie area (lower blocks of trees all felled) and down onto Muck Road and either onward towards Pinwherry or, for those with sufficient energy, along the sections of the Carrick Way towards the head of the MuckWater. FURTHER MATTERS FOR SURVEY/CONSIDERATION We suggest that the following matters are given due consideration: 1. To develop a route on the western side of the railway between Pinwherry and Barrhill. There are good views for walkers towards the Galloway Hills from the western side of the Duisk Valley (particularly in the vicinity of Farden Hill) and there may be the possibility of making improvements to a fairly substantial (but little visited) cairn close to Daltangan Park/White Cairn. There is also a little used track from Farden Hill to Colmonell. 2. Is there a route from the Village (or Scaurhead) to the curling pond? 3. To survey Laggan Cairn (Mr Wilson indicated that nothing remains other than the site). 4. The construction of a network of access tracks linking the turbines at Mark Hill wind farm would offer further possibilities for short, simple walks including some excellent views which will be opened up after clear felling of the site. OTHER LEISURE INTERESTS/MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION The road to the proposed wind farm is unlikely to be suitable to attract cyclists. Barrhill could however promote cycling on the public road from Barrhill Station towards Chirmorrie and onward to New Luce.

6 Installation of artwork at strategic points on the routes in recognition that the area has a shortage of sites/buildings of historic interest, there is the suggestion to liaise with appropriate arts funding bodies to look at open-air art installations to provide destinations and create an image. Explore viability of improvements to Loch Farroch or Near Eye Stanks for fishing or as a location. Mr Wilson indicated that the South Ayrshire River Trust should be consulted on such a matter as they have survey data relating to the burns which Loch Farroch feeds into namely the Cammock Burn, Feoch Burn, Duisk River and Stinchar River. He confirmed the loch currently contains brown trout but that they are small in size. The creation of shelters at Loch Farroch or elsewhere should be considered actively as part of the overall development. HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES In planning the network of attractive, accessible routes described in this project, it has been necessary to consider the following: 0Farmyard safety the general public should not take access through a farmyard or in close proximity to animals that are being worked with or in close proximity to machinery. 1Those who work, live or depend on the land for their livelihood so that they can work safely and effectively. 2The danger that Livestock can present in terms of both aggression and hygiene. 3That certain roads are used as drove roads for livestock and that road use is not limited to vehicles. 4Livestock has access on to roads in a number of locations where roads pass through fields. 5Shooting/sporting interests. 6The requirement for individuals to take responsible access. 7Local walkers who wish to walk with dogs. 8Other constraining factors which may not be obvious to a walker such as the location of high voltage cables, restricting improvement works, private water supplies, flooding, breeding programmes or other ecological issues. 9Many editions of the Ordnance Survey Maps contain inaccurate information making desk top review unreliable. This highlights a need for signage.

7 FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS IN DEVELOPMENT OF SAFE ROUTES FOR LOCAL WALKERS The most sensitive areas to disturbance by walkers are along the Duisk River. Much of the ground is wetland, used by breeding birds and most of the fields on the valley side are grazed by livestock during the summer months. The fields closest to the river / active farmyards are also more likely to be stocked with cattle that could become aggressive to people on foot as they are likely to have young calves at foot. The farmyards of Glenwhask, Belhamage and Glenduisk are in active use and, as such, unsuitable for use by the general public. Most of the sporting drives and stalking activities using long distance rifles are centred on Glenwhask Farm, Belhamage Farm, Ballochmorrie Farm and Glenduisk Farm. This means pedestrian access on the roads within these areas cannot be recommended. Laggan Farm, Knockmalloch Farm, Knockytinnal Farm and Craigcannochie Farm are dwellings that are unoccupied and the economic benefits relating to sporting interests limited in such areas. Such areas also provide long distance views, if not afforested with trees older than 15 to 20 years of age. The Forest at Feoch Bank is to be felled during This will result in views from the public road between Laggan Farm and Darnaconnar and towards the Feoch Burn and Standard being opened up. MAPS A series of four maps accompanies this report. Map one shows existing routes and tracks. Map two highlights those areas of sensitivity which, for reasons explained earlier, must be avoided. Map three illustrates the routes that could be adopted. Map four is taken from Force 9 Energy s Environmental Statement and shows the network of tracks linking the proposed turbines. NEXT STAGE We trust that Barrhill Community Council and the local community of Barrhill welcome the recommendations in this report. Feedback is welcomed at this stage and further discussions will help to identify priorities for development.