Annual Report 2010 to 2011 - Fife Coast & Countryside Trust

Path Improvements at Kinkell Braes
Maintaining the section of path near
the new Castle Course in St Andrews
has always proved to be challenging,
particularly in the winter. This area has
a wonderful array of wildflowers and is a
Site of Special Scientific Interest. As part
of the land management regime, cattle are
brought onto the land in the winter months
to graze. This grazing regime is vital to the
long term sustainability of the wildflowers.
However, it also causes issues with the
churning up of the path surface.
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This year we embarked on an ambitious project to attempt a
longer term solution to these issues. We constructed a path
from blocks of whinstone. This stone was large enough to
resist the pressure of the cattle walking over it. The blocks
were delivered by lorry due to the very limited access,
and were then distributed along the length of the path by
helicopter. Our maintenance team then set the stones in
place by hand. This project was completed this winter and has
so far proved very successful.
Sky Projects
In the Dunfermline area, our Countryside Ranger has been
working closely with staff from the local Sky office. Through our
Big Green Footprint Scheme we have been able to work with
Sky to create a new Nature Trail. Sky enjoyed the project so
much they asked us to put together another project. A new “tree
trail” was built in Townhill Wood and was completed in October.
We are now looking to develop a third project for Sky volunteers.
We really enjoy working with companies like Sky and we are
very grateful to them for their continued support for our work.
If you would like to support us and help to make a difference,
please give us a call on 01592 656080.
For more details of the Big Green Footprint Scheme, simply go to
www.tbgfs.co.uk
Scottish Coastal Ways and Scotland’s Great Trails Initiatives
The Trust is working with Scottish Natural Heritage and various other partners on the
Scottish Coastal Ways and Scotland’s Great Trails initiatives. The Fife Coastal Path is one of
only 20 recognised great trails in Scotland. See www.scotlandsgreattrails.org.uk We are
proud that the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the creation, management
and maintenance of the path has been recognised and that the Path is seen as one of the
best long distance routes in Scotland.
Fife Coast and Countryside Trust Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2011 13