Happy Christmas

A massive THANK You to all who turned out at the weekend to support CLANN and ourselves at the West Bay, I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and went home with the right Christmas tree for you. It was a succeful event and CLANN will be receiving a cheque for their efforts early in the new year.

Thank You also to those who have reported fallen trees following the incredibly strong winds recently. We are currently working through our list to clear them as qucikly as possible. In the meantime please do exercise caution if visiting the woods over the festive season.

The harvesting works above Kilbride look likely to continue untiil March 2012 so please continue to observe all onsite signage and I'll also keep you updated on here.


Best Wishes to all over the holidays, and I hope to see you (Tinsel Optional) around the forest.

HARVESTING AT KILBRIDE

Just a quick word of warning. As of today, Tuesday 23rd August, there will be harvesting machinery moving into Kilbride ahead of beginning operations at the end of the week.

The felling area is quite large and complicated so the harvesting works are likely to continue until December at the earliest. This will mean that the top sections of the Blue and Yellow routes will have to be closed at times during the operation so please look out for and obey any and all onsite signage - particularly that pertaining to passing working machinery.

There will also be timber lorries and other vehicles using the forest road so please bear this in mind when using the forest in the near future.

See you, being safe, around the forest!

ACTIV8 2011

Returning for a second consecutive year, ACTIV8 Outdoor Recreation Festival will be held at Glenbranter Forest on Saturday 20th August, 11am-5pm.

An ideal opportunity to try out some of the vast array of activities which are carried out in Dunoon's Forest and beyond! Have a go at Archery, Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Geocaching, and more. Watch the Rescue Dog Demonstration and visit Jubilee point to watch the West Districts Open Water Swimming Championships.

There's going to be plenty to see and do for all the family, so dress for the weather, bring a midge net or wear repellent and get stuck in! Entry is FREE although there may be a small charge for some activities

See you, being Active, around the Glenbranter Forest

From Small Acorns..

This Weekend (13th & 14th August) sees the return of the hugely popular Small Acorns event at Hunters Quay Holiday Village, Dunoon. This event is run by Argyll Holidays in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland.

Come along and take part in a variety of environmental activities, learn about the strange sea creatures, bats, birds of prey and more, that surround us. Enjoy a guided minibus tour / walk with the Forestry Commission rangers or even just soak up the atmosphere while enjoying some refreshments at the Hunters Bar& Grill.

Something for all ages. 10am -4pm both days - and it's FREE!!!

See you around the Holiday Village!

FOREST FESTIVAL

Forestry Commission Scotland are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Argyll Forest Park by hosting a FOREST FESTIVAL, this Saturday (23rd July) at Glenbranter Forest. Come along and join us for some forestry related family fun activities, horse logging demonstrations, forest tours and much more!!
The event runs from 10am to 4pm and is FREE and suitable for all ages.

An Exciting Opportunity

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RANGER POST

Fixed Term contract for 12months
Salary £25,000 pa 35hours over 7 days

Dunoon Community Development Group is looking to employ a Community Development Ranger whose duties will include:

Promoting the forest areas of The Bishop's Glen and Morag's Fairy Glen and organising community activities.
Developing links between the project and local schools.
Supporting work teams as part of an ongoing maintenance programme for the area.
Encouraging outdoor and environmental activity as a means of improving health and well being.
Contributing to the planning, monitoring and maintenance of forest areas.

DCDG are looking for applicants with excellent presentation skills, the ability to work on their own initiative and a background in forestry or outdoor recreation. The post also requires a driving licence and a willingness to work evenings and weekends as required.

Application forms are available from HELP (Argyll& Bute) Limited at 17/19 John Street, Dunoon PA23 8BN, telephone Chris on (01369)707600 or email chris@helptd.org.uk and should be returned by Friday 17th June.

Funded by the Forestry Commission F4P Challenge Fund.

The answer my friend.....

... is , along with everything else, blowing very muchly in the wind.

After the recent strong winds, many areas of the forest have been affected by fallen or hanging trees or branches. The team have been very busy clearing routes and roadsides across the district, and we can now say that all of the Dunoon's Forest Trails are open and waiting!

Should you happen across any further blockages, please do let us know on 01369 860703

See you around the (windswept) forest.

All too easy!

You will probably all have seen the Forest Fires currently being fought in Perthshire and in England. When the weather has been as good as it has for the past couple of weeks, the ground and forest become very dry and it only takes one carelessly discarded cigarette and large swathes of important habitat can be destroyed.

PLEASE could all who visit the forest take extra care during this dry spell and report ANY fires they see.

See you (covered in Sun Block!!) around the forest.

Flick It!!

Those of you who have been out and about will have noticed the appearance of some new blue signs bearing the slogan "Flick it with a stick". These are in response to an increase in the amount of dog mess being left behind on tracks and in bags tied to trees, gates, fences and waymarkers in the forest. These signs advocate that on the trails - well away from car parks and buildings, that if people are not going to pick up their dog's mess and TAKE IT AWAY then they should flick the mess off the trail with a stick. Around car parks etc we'd still appreciate it if people took their dog's mess away with them.

Hopefully this will increase everyone's enjoyment of the trails.

See you (with flicking stick in hand) around the forest

Road Improvements

Just a quick note to advise that as of Tuesday 22nd February, for two weeks, please be aware of construction traffic in the area as we upgrade the forest road above the Kilbride car park. The trails will remain open but please obey any on site signage.

See you, and probably some big trucks, around the forest!

Spread the Word

2011

A happy new year to you all!

January is now well under way and with the weather relaxing its icy grip (a bit), why not get out into the forest this weekend and remind yourself that trees are not usually white!

The pre christmas weather has delayed things a bit for us; planting which was delayed will begin as soon as the ground is thawed, now we can see the trails our inspections and maintenance can resume, harvesting of some sites which have been waiting to be felled can get underway, and with 2011 being the International Year of Forests and the 75th anniversary of Argyll Forest Park we will be organising a series of events throughout the forests - watch this & other spaces....

So, get out there, breathe in the bracing - but good for you, 2011 air, and I hope to see you around the forest.