Ochils win £½m Lottery payout

Oct 29 2008 by Iain Howie, Stirling Observer Wednesday

A PLAN to improve access to the forests and glens and regenerate parts of Clackmannanshire is on course to receive a major cash boost.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has earmarked £650,800 to the Ochil Landscape Partnership.

That paves the way for the full award, which would be ploughed into restoring buildings as well as providing opportunities for the community to tell the story of the area’s cultural, social and industrial heritage.

Priorities for the scheme include conservation or restoration of features such as the silver mines and the remains of Alva’s Ice House. The scheme also aims to conserve and celebrate cultural associations such as weaving and printing.

Councillor Eddie Carrick said: “This is great news and takes the Ochil Landscape Partnership’s exciting plans a step closer to reality.

“While the council has led this partnership, we have had huge support, ideas and enthusiasm from local residents and partner organisations including Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust, Friends of the Ochils, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Woodland Trust.

“A great deal of time and thought has been given to the scheme and I am sure that it will not only conserve the natural, cultural and built heritage of the Ochils but bring economic, educational and social benefits to the people of the Hillfoot villages.”

If the second application is successful the partnership hopes that the HLF will release the fund to implement the Ochil Landscape Partnership Scheme in April 2010. The council has set aside £155,000 from its capital programme for 2009-10 for the project.