1 10 130 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/460/GallowayGlens_AnOverview.pdf 5ad23290ec43c22eb9e836715f57b08b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme – An Overview Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Galloway Glens Scheme An Overview at Castle Douglas Town Hall • September 2023 • The Galloway Glens Scheme was an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, seeking to ‘connect people to the heritage’ of the Ken/Dee river valley, while boosting the local economy and supporting sustainable communities. Running between 2018 and 2023, and primarily funded by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, it oversaw more than £6million in activity. This report gives a mere taste of the work undertaken… For more information, contact Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team. WWW.GALLOWAYGLENS.ORG Galloway Glens Scheme: A Snapshot THE SCHEME HAS UNDERTAKEN ACTIVITY WORTH MORE THAN £6 MILLION 4 YEARS ‘NATURE POSITIVE’ OF THE NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ‘CAN YOU DIG IT’ COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT 206 HECTARES PROJECTS SUPPORTED INCLUDING THREAVE LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECT, PEATLAND CONNECTIONS AND THE BLACK WATER OF DEE HABITAT RESTORATION £100,000 OF LAND BROUGHT INTO CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT SPENT ON 27 PROJECTS CARSPHAIRN THROUGH THE SMALL GRANTS SCHEME >21,000 SUPPORTED THE ATTENDEES AT PUBLIC EVENTS 15 INTERN DALRY 10 POSITIONS SUPPORTED CLATTERINGSHAWS NEW OR REFURBISHED BUILDINGS LOCH KEN TRUST NOW RUNNING ONE OF THE FIRST COMMUNITY-LED RANGER SERVICES IN SCOTLAND >35,000MILES TRAVELLED BY THE TAGGED GREENLAND WHITE FRONTED GEESE LAUNCHED THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND TREE PLANTING GRANT SCEME LOCH KEN MORE THAN 90% OF VOLUNTEERS IN D&G SAID THEY HAD LEARNED MORE ABOUT HERITAGE 690 VOLUNTEERS GAVE THEIR TIME, WORTH MORE THAN 23 MILES £300,000 OF FOOTPATH INSTALLED OR IMPROVED OVER 120 ATTENDEES CASTLE DOUGLAS 190 D&G BUSINESSES RECEIVED WORK ON ‘GO WILD CAMPS’ KIRKCUDBRIGHT >2,000 ENTRIES ON THE GALLOWAY GLENS PLACE NAME DATABASE 2 THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 40 HEADLINE PROJECTS SUPPORTED UP AND DOWN THE VALLEY 95% OF PEOPLE RATE THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME AS ‘GOOD OR VERY GOOD’ (OF 420 SURVEYED) “The Galloway Glens Scheme was an opportunity for everyone to celebrate, understand, connect with and protect our special heritage. The role of the Partnership Board was to provide oversight and strategic direction to the activity underway, and we are all delighted by the results achieved. We consider the scheme to be an exemplar approach to tackle contemporary challenges faced by rural Scotland. We are very grateful to everyone involved, particularly scheme funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and I’d like to add my personal thanks to the members of the Board, the staff, and to the community for taking part. Built on an approach of trust and empowerment, this Scheme witnessed some awesome work.” Ted Leeming, Galloway Glens Scheme Chairman “I think we are all slightly bewildered by how big this whole venture has become… All of this was only possible thanks to the amazing partners we worked with, from funders through to local people giving up their free time and personal stories to give the scheme a real authenticity. The Galloway Glens Scheme is an example of a heritage-led, ‘placebased’ approach to rural economic development and supporting sustainable communities. On a personal note, it has also been the most amazing job that have ever had. The Staff have been simply Herculean in their efforts, all working above and beyond to an astonishing degree. For that, I shall forever be grateful. #InGallowayItHappens.” McNabb Laurie, Galloway Glens Team Leader “From the earliest days of planning Galloway Glens was conceived as ‘Biosphere in action’ - an authentic, accessible way for people to experience our region’s natural and cultural heritage. For its duration, the Galloway Glens Scheme has celebrated and shared all the reasons why southwest Scotland holds UNESCO Biosphere status, inspiring pride among those who live here and reaching a diverse audience beyond the geographical border of the scheme. It has been great to see such a variety of projects funded and led by the Galloway Glens Scheme that are all interwoven with UNESCO’s global ethos of connecting with heritage in a sustainable way, with evident positive impacts on communities and the environment.” Ed Forrest, Director of Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere “The impact of the scheme is visible on so many levels – on a project-by-project basis but also on a broader landscape-scale. Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team saw the opportunity for the scheme, and we have taken an innovative, partnership approach to oversight and management. This has definitely allowed the scheme to flourish and be embraced by the local community. The real benefit of a scheme like this will be the positive legacy left for the people and habitats of the valley. ” Simon Fieldhouse, Environment Team Manager, Dumfries & Galloway Council THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 3 “I’m not usually very good at sport but this I can do. I have been playing with all of my class and I feel great because I have won some games and always been involved” Pupil commenting on the purchased Indoor curling kits through the ‘Hands on heritage’ project. “A wonderful walk around the roads and woodland. Thank you for the hard work of the Galloway Glens and Environment Team! I’m only 86 years old, enjoyed every minute and hope to return.” Comment on Crossmichael Community Woodland path improvements “I didn’t know if I’d like it because I’m new in this school and I didn’t know many people. But it’s great!” Attendee referring to a ‘Wellbeing in Winter’ Event “this is the most inclusive activity we have done in a long time, the pupils that normally shy away have stepped up and are loving PE, we have loved it as staff too” Teacher after a lesson using the indoor curling kits 4 THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW “Again thank you all so much for such an amazing opportunity for [him], he has blossomed and we are so hopeful that this will help in our quest to get him to enjoy the outdoors more” Parent, referring to a ‘Go Wild’ camp attendee Ambition The Galloway Glens Scheme sought to use a heritage-led approach to tackle contemporary challenges being faced in the Ken/Dee valley. Through 2016 and 2017, consultation took place to identify six main challenges, with these used to give the Scheme six main themes of activity for the five-year delivery phase: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Understanding. Opportunities to increase understanding and appreciation of our amazing natural, cultural and built heritage. Education. A series of school-age initiatives covering topics from sustainable development through to responsible outdoor access. Facilitating work experience roles that challenge the preconception that young people have to leave Galloway for work. Visiting. Improving a visitor’s experience in Galloway, thereby supporting the vital hospitality and tourism economy. Access. Adding to and improving the network of paths in the valley. Heritage Hubs: Supporting the use and therefore sustainability of local buildings, highlighting their heritage value. Natural Landscapes: Protecting species or habitats that are under threat. Delivery The scheme supported approximately 40 headline projects across the six themes. These varied from partner-led initiatives that received funding from the scheme, through to projects driven solely by the Galloway Glens team. The suite of headline projects was supported by a range of smaller initiatives and a dedicated small grants scheme, through which 27 awards were made, totalling approximately £100,000 in spend. The Galloway Glens Team consisted of 5 core staff, employed by Dumfries & Galloway Council, and a range of project staff (9 at peak), employed by project partners. The Scheme was overseen by a Partnership board of 13 key partners, including an elected member from Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Director of the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. “It has been a great initiative with an impact out of all proportion to the small amount of resource involved. Well done everyone.” Chair of Scottish Land Commission THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 5 1) Understanding Opportunities to increase understanding and appreciation of our amazing natural, cultural and built heritage. “We have absolutely enjoyed everything we’ve done with the Galloway Glens & have learnt so much about the local area & met some lovely people along the way!” ‘Can You Dig It ‘event participant. “What a lot of fun!” Event attendee PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Historic Mapping – Unearthing, digitising and discussing pre-ordnance survey maps. Dumfries Archival Mapping Project The ‘Can You Dig It’ Community Archaeology Programme – 4 years of engaging and educational archaeology activity. Galloway Glens Scheme/ Historic Environment Scotland Place Names of the Galloway Glens – A study of local place names to reveal the changing languages and landscape of the area. University of Glasgow – School of Celtic & Gaelic Studies Voices of the Glens – Investigating the complex relationship between Galloway’s changing language, dialect and accents. Galloway Glens Scheme “[Volunteering has given me] a renewed sense of activity and purpose postretiral; not to mention the joy and pleasure in simple contact and conversation in a time of pandemic.” Volunteer on the ‘Can You Dig It’ project. Projects within this aim held 59 public events with 5316 attendees. 6 More than 2,000 place names studied and detailed on the public database. THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 290 volunteers engaged across all four projects. More than 100 questionnaires completed exploring words disappearing from use. 2) Education A series of school-age initiatives covering topics from sustainable development through to responsible outdoor access and work experience PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Galloway Rural Skills – A programme of high-quality work experience opportunities and Internships. Galloway Glens Scheme/Local Employers Hands on Heritage – Heritage skill demonstrations and information events. Galloway Glens Scheme Community Activities – An awesome selection of community events and activities supported that celebrate the heritage of Galloway. From Vikings to Jazz, from Wicker Bulls to Pre School support, and everything in between… Galloway Glens Scheme/So many partners Galloway Glens Business Academy – Events and activities that allow local businesses to use local heritage to benefit their bottom lines. Galloway Glens Scheme/Business Gateway Galloway Glens Go Wild – Week long summer camps – with a focus on fun but also responsible access and how to safely enjoy the Galloway Outdoors. Galloway Glens Scheme/ NTS/ Kirkcudbright Development Trust/ Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Biosphere Explorers – Embedding Sustainable Development education into local schools through school sessions and events. Crichton Carbon Centre Drystane Dykes Demonstration – A viewpoint built on Threave Estate demonstrating a range of Galloway Dyking styles. SW Scotland Dry Stone Walling Association/ NTS Ken Words – The local writers group explored how landscape can inspire creative writing, through events and publications. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust 15 Intern or work experience opportunities supported 2501 school pupils have taken part in events and lessons 120 attendees of ‘Go Wild’ camps. When asked how much they enjoyed a Galloway Glens event, 90% of 185 attendees asked rated their enjoyment as 4 or 5 (on a scale of 1 – 5). “I learnt I could listen, and be outside all day, and about John Muir, and badgers” Participant on Go Wild camp (who declared initially that he wouldn’t learn anything.) “I have no doubt that the expertise I have gained will greatly enhance my CV and support my future career in the field.” A Galloway Glens supported Intern 25 Business Academy public events attended by 250 local businesspeople THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 7 3 Visiting Improving a visitor’s experience in Galloway, thereby supporting the vital hospitality and tourism economy. “The Galloway ‘Brand’ including the Biosphere image is more recognisable, shops are finally starting to promote the region, local produce and services are applauded and people tend to feel proud of their region.” Public survey response PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Loch Ken: Alive – Supporting the communities and businesses around Loch Ken, enabling a resilient and sustainable future. Loch Ken Trust The Galloway Glens Experience – working with small and micro businesses to explore the feasibility of experiential tourism packages. Southern Uplands Partnership Glenkens Hub – Establishing an information portal for the Glenkens, and acting as a repository for all Galloway Glens digital assets. Visit www.glenkens.scot. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium – Capitalising on the Gold Tier status of the Galloway Dark Sky Park to create a popular visitor attraction in the Old Johnston School. Kirkcudbright Development Trust “It’s been a great force for marketing the area and highlighting some of the real issues facing the rural communities as well as the fascinating history and supporting community assets” Public survey response Of all attendees at Galloway Glens online events, 76% were from outside Dumfries and Galloway, demonstrating the reach of the scheme, promoting the area externally. 8 In a public survey of 113 responses over 95% said that the ‘work of the Galloway Glens Scheme had encouraged visitors to come to the area’. THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW Flagship projects such as the Dark Space Planetarium are attracting thousands of visitors into the area. The Galloway Glens supported a number of ‘Galloway Relaunch’ events, resuming after the Covid-19 induced hiatus. 4 Access Adding to and improving the network of paths in the valley. PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Out and About – A series of footpaths and visitor facilities creation, focussing on widening access to the Galloway landscape. Galloway Glens Scheme/ wider Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team Glenkens Pilgrims Way – aka ‘The Pack Road’. Reopening the largely inaccessible historic route from Polmaddy to Carsphairn. Galloway Glens Scheme Corserine Access Improvements – a new bridge, section of path and signage on the Corserine Hill walk. Forrest Estate Connecting Town & Country – a) Improvements on the Railway path from Castle Douglas to Threave Estate, Lamb Island and Bridge of Dee b) A new circular route round Threave Nature Reserve. National Trust for Scotland Exploring New Galloway – Footpaths in the New Galloway Golf Club Woods and work at the Garroch Estate. Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) Kirkcudbright Bay Views – Drainage & Surfacing Improvements along the Torrs Point footpath. Solway Firth Partnership “The path has made this area more accessible to more people which will hopefully lead to more nature being protected.” Comment on Torrs Point path. “Brilliant - It’s a great walk with picturesque views. We have told lots of people about it so they can enjoy it too.” Comment on New Galloway link path 23 miles of footpath created or improved, including 4 bridges. Access projects have attracted a quarter of a million pounds of match funding. 95% of 80 respondents agreed that the footpath in question ‘Made the natural environment more accessible’ 67% of 97 respondees agreed strongly that ‘the work of the Galloway Glens has made it easier for people to get out into nature’. THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 9 5 Heritage Hubs Supporting the use and therefore sustainability of local buildings, highlighting their heritage value “Everyone that visits brings their own take on things and often contributes as much information to us as volunteers running it as they get out of the displays!” Volunteer at Crossmichael Heritage Project. PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Dalry Town Hall – Covenanter Video installation + signage. Dalry Town Hall Management Committee Donald Watson Bird Trail – Driving and Walking Trail across the Glenkens. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Tolbooth Tales: The Story of Law & Order – Exhibition on first floor of Tolbooth exploring the building’s history. Dumfries & Galloway Council Crossmichael Community Heritage & Living History – Displaying heritage of the parish in the Hearse Hoose and the Church Hall. Crossmichael Community Council Balmaclellan Smiddy – Refurbishing the Smiddy to create a multi-use community building. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust New Galloway Town Hall – Contributing towards refurbishment costs and green energy upgrades. Local Initiatives in New Galloway “Regular users include singers, yoga, a creative writing group and even a weekly tin whistle class! The two meeting rooms have had regular use by disparate organisations bringing in attendees from all over the region.” Feedback on use of Balmaclellan Smiddy 10 new or refurbished community buildings supported through the whole scheme. 10 More than 90% of volunteers said they had learned more about heritage. THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW A drive to ‘spend local’ resulted in major refurbishment contracts for Dumfries & Galloway Businesses. 65% of volunteers said that they had ‘Made friendships/social connections in [their] community’. 6) Natural Landscapes Protecting species or habitats that are under threat. PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Conservation of Red Squirrels – Protecting Red Squirrels in Galloway. Glenkens Red Squirrel Group Greenland White Fronted Geese – Tagging Greenland White Fronted Geese, and implementing management plans. RSPB Black Grouse Habitat Creation – Working through Galloway Forest Park to implement habitat management plans. RSPB Kenmure Holms improvements – Signage and access improvements on Kenmure Holms, a home for the Willow Tit. RSPB Threave Landscape Restoration Project – Kickstarting a 100year project to revert a dairy farm into a climate-change resilient, wetland/woodland habitat. National Trust for Scotland Black Water of Dee Restoration – supporting fish populations by adding gravel, removing conifers and planting of riverbank trees. Galloway Fisheries Trust Barhill Woods, Kirkcudbright – Creation of red squirrel hide, education shelter and paths. Kirkcudbright Development Trust Peatland Connections – Connecting people to peatlands through a multi-disciplinary and creative approach. Crichton Carbon Centre Fish: Loch Ken – Surveys and targeted removal of Invasive NonNative Species. Tagging and tracking of young Salmon in the river. Galloway Fisheries Trust South Of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme – offering £1,000 grants for small scale native tree planting Galloway Glens Scheme 206 hectares of land brought into conservation management through projects in this theme. ‘Nature Positive’ projects supported including Black Water of Dee, Threave Landscape Restoration Project and Peatland Connections. A strong focus on visibility and communications used the work as exemplars to distribute through learning networks. “It’s not very often that you see such ambition and vision for land use change. This is a bold and encouraging project that will no doubt create interest and curiosity from many” Comment about the Threave Landscape Restoration Project “This project shows the cutting-edge approaches being adopted by people right here in Galloway” Feedback on the Black Water of Dee Restoration project. 3134 hours of volunteer time has been spent on projects in this strand. THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 11 “For our cycling business, the infrastructure at Otterpool is extremely important for stops and chats and “showing off”. The work done around cycle and walking provision is a key to how we guide our visitors. Also, the support for big events (The Gralloch and Raiders) is key to the success of the events which in turn can bring around half a million pounds for the local economy.” Local cycling business “The Galloway Glens has made it possible to make one of our seasonal members of staff full time. [For which we are] very grateful” Manager, local business “For the Galloway Glens contract we sourced all the materials and the plant hire locally. So the purchasing has spread from this business through the local community, benefiting many businesses and the local economy.” - Footpath contractor Boosting the Local Economy The Scheme is an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, itself part of the Council’s Economy & Resources Department, and a large part of the establishment of the scheme was an effort to better harness the amazing Galloway Outdoors and Heritage to drive economic activity. The Galloway Glens Scheme has sought to support economic activity on two levels, primarily through the impact of the projects undertaken, but also through the delivery of the scheme itself. The Scheme is adjudged to have delivered benefits on both levels, although the latter point is obviously easier to quantify. • More than 75% of the scheme’s £6million in expenditure has stayed in the region, being spent with Dumfries & Galloway Businesses • More than 190 Dumfries & Galloway Businesses have received work through the scheme. • Many of these businesses, now set up on Dumfries & Galloway Council systems, have gone on to bid for work with other departments of the Council – the Galloway Glens Scheme was essentially acting as a gateway to local government procurement. 12 THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW Supporting Sustainable Communities The Galloway Glens Scheme sought to embed all of the work undertaken with local communities. Being a time-limited initiative, the approach has been to see our certain departure as a benefit, maximising scheme legacy planning and activity. A heritage-led scheme like this does have a vital part to play in supporting sustainable communities, and many of the projects undertaken have delivered wider sustainable community benefits, including: • Supported the establishment of the Loch Ken Trust, with the Loch Ken Plan seeking to work towards all 17 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals - making the first ‘future-ready’ community. • Overseeing the Climate Ready Ken project, working with Adaptation Scotland to design a climate adaptation toolkit for the Loch Ken community. • Supporting community groups in their ambitions to take ownership of land in the area. • Direct investment in community buildings and assets, upgrading facilities and reducing ongoing running costs, and also a major provider of bookings and building use during delivery phase. • The ‘Galloway Footsteps’ events committed to 1,900 fewer pieces of single-use plastic and a saving of 42 tonnes of carbon. • A major role in Covid-19 response, adjusting plans to support the restart of activities after the pandemic but also active in retaining community cohesion and providing activity during the lockdowns. “The backing of the Galloway Glens has provided the energy, confidence and support the [Stewartry] Show needed to springboard back into action after so long [Covid-19 absence].” Member of the Stewartry Agricultural Society “I would like to thank the team for leading us in a time of great change and stress to many. Their good humour and expertise acted as a great link to our wider area at a time when rural isolation could have been a disaster. Well done! Public survey response “Main benefit has been in forging new connections within the community and in sharing ideas and practices and developing mutually supportive friendships.” Volunteer on the Exploring New Galloway project “[the project] has delivered skills to communities and empowered them to explore their locale” Feedback on a ‘Can You Dig It’ initiative THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 13 Scheme Legacy On a project level, the scheme’s legacy continues through work and partnerships established during the five-year delivery phase. The Galloway Glens Scheme sought to catalyse and facilitate work above and beyond that supported directly, and it is great to see examples of that taking place. On a Scheme level, the legacy ambition was that partners would see the merit of the approach taken, and feel able to undertake a similar scheme again in the future. This document forms only part of the Galloway Glens Evaluation documentation. Please contact the Dumfries & Galloway Council Environment Team for: 1) The Galloway Glens Scheme – Measuring Success Toolkit 2) The Galloway Glens Scheme – Assessment of approach “Hugely rewarding, wonderful experience, humbling, fascinating, vital - very grateful to have been part of it. Thank you!” Deliverer of a ‘Go Wild’ camp “Is the project really going to end? I think its been brilliant…” Online event attendee Galloway Glens Team at 2023 Stewartry Show “[I gained] mapping, researching skills, accessing websites and data sources, deepened knowledge, understanding, appreciation of environment and curiosity” ‘Can You Dig It’ volunteer The Galloway Glens Team Team Leader - McNabb Laurie Project Officer - Nick Chisholm Land Management & Access Officer Jonathan Barrett 14 Education & Community Engagement Officer - Helen Keron (2018 – 21), Jan Hogarth (2021-23) Administrator - Jude Crooks (2018-21), Anna Harvey (2021-23), Debbie Marshall (2022-23) THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW “I have acquired a newly informed depth of understanding and engagement with my local environment. I can better read the history of the landscape where I live.” - Event attendee “That was an excellent presentation. The split screening, occasional shots of the live audience, Q&A with both presenters etc. Extremely interesting content, and a very good speaker. You really seem to have got on top of hybrid presentations. Technically one of the best I have viewed and I’ve seen a lot over the past 2 years, including from much bigger national institutions.” Feedback from an online attendee “In an area where there is considerable volunteer fatigue it has mitigated the impact and helped galvanise people into doing things.” - Local funder “What an amazing 5 years for this area. Something really strong to keep building on for future generations living here.” Public Survey response Yes the money has been helpful for projects. But most of all it has been the enterprise, vitality and action by the Galloway Glens team, that has been of greatest benefit. It has helped so many of us to come together to bring nascent ideas to fruition, to learn more about our area and to give a greater sense of a positive future” Feedback from Project Partner “The number of positive initiatives that have come out of the Galloway Glens Scheme is truly amazing, and this landscape partnership stands head and shoulders above any other of this type of organisation that I’ve come across” Public survey response THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 15 Thank you to all involved 16 THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme – An Overview Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_1 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Scheme was an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, seeking to ‘connect people to the heritage’ of the Ken/Dee river valley, while boosting the local economy and supporting sustainable communities. Running between 2018 and 2023, and primarily funded by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, it oversaw more than £6million in activity. This report gives a mere taste of the work undertaken... GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/461/GGLP_Overview.jpg 4f2186e802de2fe2f645d8f3f25749a1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme overview poster Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme overview poster Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_2 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Description An account of the resource Poster of projects completed during the Galloway Glens Scheme. GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/462/map-2017-1.pdf fa03f5912d1405cc6f572fe8d5f5295e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme – map Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme – map Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_3 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Description An account of the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme Boundary GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/463/GGLP-LCAP-ALL-Chapters.pdf c7d7e6fabfbde79dd1684001f0756479 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Landscape Conservation Action Plan (complete) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Galloway Glens Landscape Conservation Action Plan First published on 11/08/2017 All text and images © Galloway Glens (Dumfries & Galloway Council), unless otherwise stated. Graphic Design by Martha Schofield Design Document ownership: Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme C/O Countryside Services Dumfries & Galloway Council Militia House English Street Dumfries DG1 2HR www.gallowayglens.org Contents 2.7.1 2.7.2 2.7.3 2.7.4 Aims ................................................................. 15 Use of the LCAP ............................................ 15 Acknowledgements .................................... 15 Bibliography................................................... 15 3 The Landscape of the Galloway Glens 3.1 3.1.1 3.1.2 What is ‘Landscape’ ................................... 16 Not just the visual........................................ 16 Definition ........................................................ 16 3.2 A Birds Eye View .......................................... 16 3.3 3.3.1 3.3.2 Underlying it All .......................................... 17 Formation ....................................................... 17 After the Ice ................................................... 18 3.4 Climate ............................................................ 18 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.3.4 2.3.5 2.3.6 Who is the Galloway Glens ‘Landscape Partnership’? .......................... 5 Background ...................................................... 5 The Partnership Board ................................. 6 Partnership Agreement ............................... 6 Scheme Governance .................................... 7 Scheme Staff.................................................... 8 Professional Fees ........................................... 8 3.5 3.5.1 3.5.2 3.5.3 3.5.4 3.5.5 2.4 2.4.1 2.4.2 Community Consultation ........................ 8 The need for Effective Consultation ........ 8 Consultation Content ................................ 10 2.5 2.5.1 2.5.2 2.5.3 2.5.4 Project Development ................................. 11 Commissioned Studies ............................... 12 Public Call for projects ............................... 13 Criteria Applied ........................................... 14 GG Intervention in Projects ...................... 14 2.6 2.6.1 2.6.2 Building relationships ................................ 14 A way of working ......................................... 14 Keeping momentum ................................... 14 3.5.6 3.5.7 3.5.8 3.5.9 3.5.10 3.5.11 3.5.12 3.5.13 3.5.14 3.5.15 3.5.16 People ............................................................. 19 People start to make their mark............. 19 Influencing the landscape over time ..... 20 Power and Resistance ................................ 21 Covenanting .................................................. 21 Revolution – Agricultural and Industrial ....................................................... 22 Visitors............................................................. 24 Conflict ............................................................ 24 Resources ....................................................... 25 Who lives here now .................................... 25 Population trends ........................................ 26 Employment & Education Today ........... 26 Deprivation .................................................... 27 Land Ownership ........................................... 27 Considering our Audience ........................ 27 The appetite of Visitors ............................. 28 The appetite of Residents ......................... 28 2.7 This Landscape Conservation Action plan (LCAP) .................................................... 15 1 Introduction 1.1 Setting the Scene ........................................ 1 1.2 The Galloway Glens Scheme ................... 1 1.3 This Document ............................................ 1 2 Developing the Scheme 2.1 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 How did the Scheme come about?......... 3 First Steps ......................................................... 3 Initial Approach to HLF ................................ 3 Stage One Submission ................................. 4 2.2 The Scheme Area – On a Map ................. 5 2.3 3.6 3.6.1 A Natural, and not-so-natural, history ............................................................. 28 Habitats ........................................................... 28 3.6.1.1Moorland .......................................... 28 3.6.1.2 Bogs .................................................. 29 3.6.1.3 Marshes & Reed Beds ................. 29 3.6.1.4 Native Woodland ......................... 29 3.6.1.5 Coniferous Woodland ................. 30 3.6.1.6 Estuary & Mudflats ...................... 30 3.6.1.7 Rivers and Lochs ........................... 31 3.6.2 3.6.3 3.7 3.7.1 3.7.2 3.7.3 3.7.4 3.7.5 3.7.6 3.7.7 3.8 3.8.1 3.8.2 3.9 Species............................................................. 31 3.6.2.1 Greenland White-Fronted Geese................................................ 31 3.6.2.2 Red Squirrels ................................... 31 3.6.2.3 Fish ..................................................... 31 3.6.2.4 Red Kites ........................................... 32 3.6.2.5 Golden Eagle ................................... 32 3.6.2.6 Osprey ............................................... 32 Traditional Livestock ................................... 32 3.6.3.1 Galloway Cattle.............................. 32 3.6.3.2 Galloway Blackface sheep, goats and deer .............................................. 33 3.6.3.3 Galloway Pony................................ 33 Designations ................................................. 33 The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere ...................................... 33 Natural Heritage Designations ................ 34 3.7.2.1 Solway Coast Regional Scenic Area .................................................. 34 3.7.2.2 The Galloway Hills Regional Scenic Area ..................................... 34 3.7.2.3 Additional Natural Heritage Designations .................................. 34 Landscape Character .................................. 35 Dark Sky Park................................................. 37 Wild Land ........................................................ 37 Historic & Cultural Heritage ..................... 38 Existing Management regime .................. 38 The River ....................................................... 40 Physical Significance of the River ........... 40 3.8.1.1 Shaping the valley ......................... 40 3.8.1.2 A place to call home ..................... 41 Cultural Significance of the River ........... 42 3.8.2.1 Early Humans.................................. 42 3.8.2.2 Settlement ....................................... 42 3.8.2.3 Defence ............................................. 42 3.8.2.4 Crossing the river ........................... 43 3.8.2.5 Fishing ............................................... 44 3.8.2.6 Religion, Mythology & Folklore 45 The Galloway Hydro Scheme .................. 45 3.9.1 3.9.2 3.9.3 3.9.4 Background .................................................... 45 Why here? ...................................................... 45 Construction .................................................. 46 The Hydro Scheme today .......................... 47 3.10 Access in and around the Area .............. 48 3.10.1 Roads ............................................................... 48 3.10.2 Trails ................................................................. 48 3.11 3.11.1 3.11.2 3.11.3 3.11.4 How it looks today...................................... 49 On the Surface ............................................. 49 Agriculture ..................................................... 49 Settlements ................................................... 50 Significance of the local landscape ........ 50 4 The Scheme Boundary 4.1 4.1.1 4.1.2 Background ................................................... 51 Initial proposal .............................................. 51 Amends made ............................................... 51 4.2 4.2.1 4.2.2 4.2.3 4.2.4 The Development Phase .......................... 51 Kirkcudbright Bay ........................................ 52 The Western Boundary .............................. 52 The North Eastern Boundary / Cairnsmore of Carsphairn ......................... 53 Outcome of review ..................................... 53 4.3 Overview ........................................................ 54 5 Statement of Significance 5.1 Background ................................................... 55 5.2 5.2.1 5.2.2 Formal Designations of Significance .... 55 Landscape ...................................................... 55 Natural Heritage .......................................... 56 5.2.2.1 Species .............................................. 56 5.2.2.2 Habitats ............................................ 56 5.2.2.3 Ecosystem ........................................ 56 Cultural Heritage .......................................... 57 Summary of Designations ......................... 58 5.2.3 5.2.4 5.3 5.3.1 5.3.2 5.3.3 5.3.4 Informal Interpretations of Significance ................................................... 59 ‘A Landscape of Energy’ ............................ 59 ‘Not as Natural’ as it seems...................... 59 All roads lead through Galloway ............ 59 Arrivals & Departure ................................... 60 5.3.5 5.3.6 5.3.7 An embattled landscape............................ 61 Religion and Resistance ............................. 61 Inspiration – ‘light and dark’ .................... 62 7 What have we learned? 5.4 Pulling the themes together ................... 64 7.1 Outline ............................................................ 74 6 Forces for Change 7.2 7.2.1 6.1 Change ............................................................ 66 7.2.2 Consultation findings ................................ 74 Challenges facing the Galloway Glens Area .................................................................. 74 Why these challenges? .............................. 75 6.2 Climate ............................................................ 66 7.3 7.3.1 6.3 Ecology ............................................................ 66 6.4 Change in Human population, behaviour and activity .............................. 67 7.3.5 7.3.6 7.3.7 7.3.8 7.3.9 Results of commissioned studies .......... 77 Landscape Character Assessment & Historic Environment Audit ...................... 77 Heritage Skills, Training & Economic Opportunities ................................................ 78 Loch Ken Fishery Study .............................. 78 Natural Flood Management Feasibility Study ................................................................ 79 Interpretation Study ................................... 80 Arctic Charr Reintroduction Study ......... 80 Communications Strategy......................... 81 Access Audit .................................................. 81 Evaluation Audit ........................................... 81 8 Vision & Aims 8.1 Vision ............................................................... 82 8.2 Aims ................................................................. 83 8.3 The Nine Landscape Partnership Outcomes ....................................................... 84 8.4 Our Way of working ................................... 85 9 What are we going to do? 9.1 The Delivery Stage ...................................... 87 9.2 Programmes of Activity ............................ 87 9.3 9.3.1 9.3.2 Project Snapshots ....................................... 88 Understanding the Galloway Glens ....... 89 Education & Skills in the Galloway Glens ................................................................ 93 Visiting the Galloway Glens ...................... 97 Accessing the Galloway Glens ............... 101 Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens . 106 7.3.2 6.5 Transport ........................................................ 67 6.6 Agricultural Change ................................... 68 6.7 6.7.1 6.7.2 6.7.3 6.7.4 6.7.5 Energy.............................................................. 69 Wind Power ................................................... 69 Hydro Power.................................................. 69 Energy Infrastructure ................................. 69 Biomass ........................................................... 69 Energy Storage.............................................. 69 6.8 6.8.1 6.8.2 Forestry ........................................................... 70 Legislation ...................................................... 70 Tree disease ................................................... 70 6.9 A Galloway National Park? ...................... 70 6.10 Relict Landscapes ........................................ 71 6.10.1 What is a relict landscape? ....................... 71 6.10.2 Local Considerations ................................... 71 6.11 Political Change ........................................... 71 6.11.1 National Overview ....................................... 71 6.11.2 Legislation ...................................................... 72 6.11.2.1 Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.................................................. 72 6.11.2.2 Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 ..................... 72 6.11.2.3 Low Carbon Agenda ................... 72 6.11.3 Departure from the European Union .... 72 6.12 Conclusions ................................................... 73 7.3.3 7.3.4 9.3.3 9.3.4 9.3.5 9.3.6 Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens .............................................................. 110 9.4 Reserve projects ........................................ 117 9.5 Project Locations ....................................... 118 9.6 ‘Our Heritage’ - A Small Grant Scheme.......................................................... 119 ‘Our Heritage’ – Criteria .......................... 119 ‘Our Heritage’ - Decision making .......... 119 ‘Our Heritage’ - Funding profile ............ 119 10.1 Scheme Budget .......................................... 130 10.1.1 Stage One Application .............................. 130 10.1.2 Delivery Stage Budget .............................. 130 9.7 Contact with other Landscape Partnerships ................................................ 120 10.2 Match Funding ........................................... 131 10.2.1 Match Funding – Cash .............................. 131 10.2.2 Match Funding – ‘non-cash’ ................... 131 9.8 9.8.1 9.8.2 9.8.3 9.8.5 Delivery Stage Administration ............. 121 Overview ....................................................... 121 Core GG Scheme Staff .............................. 121 Core Staff – Roles....................................... 122 9.8.3.1 Scheme Manager ....................... 122 9.8.3.2 Project Officer .............................. 122 9.8.3.3 Heritage Skills & Training Officer ........................................... 122 9.8.3.4 Education & Community Engagement Officer .................. 122 9.8.3.5 Land Management & Access Officer ............................................ 123 9.8.3.6 Finance & Administration Officer ........................................... 123 Project Staff ................................................. 123 9.8.4.1 Responsibilities ............................. 123 9.8.4.2 Overview of proposed Project staff ................................................ 123 Getting the right people .......................... 124 9.9 9.9.1 9.9.2 9.9.3 9.9.4 Project Development ............................... 125 Development Phase .................................. 125 Project Management ................................ 125 At the point of Stage 2 submission ...... 125 Getting underway ...................................... 125 9.10 9.10.1 9.10.2 9.10.3 9.10.4 9.10.5 9.10.6 9.10.7 9.10.8 9.10.9 Delivery Stage Governance ................... 126 Overview ....................................................... 126 GG Governance Steering Group ........... 127 Accountable Body ...................................... 127 Procurement ............................................... 127 HLF Claims .................................................... 127 Management & Maintenance ............... 128 Management of Risk ................................. 128 Contingency ................................................. 128 Asset Register ............................................. 129 9.10.10 Full Cost Recovery ..................................... 129 9.10.11 Cashflow ....................................................... 129 9.10.12 Membership of ProfessionalOrganisations ...................... 129 10 9.6.1 9.6.2 9.6.3 9.8.4 Scheme Budget & Funding 10.3 Year One Projects ..................................... 132 10.3.1 Project Funding .......................................... 132 10.3.2 Consents ....................................................... 132 10.4 Changes Since the Stage One Bid ........ 133 10.4.1 Changes to the Overall Scheme ............ 133 10.4.2 Changes to projects .................................. 133 11 Legacy & Sustainability 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.3.1 11.3.2 Overview ...................................................... 135 Measuring Success ................................... 135 Scheme Projects ........................................ 135 Sustainability ............................................... 135 Management & Maintenance Fund .... 136 11.4 Overview of Project Sustainability measures ...................................................... 137 11.5 The Scheme – an exit strategy ............. 137 11.5.1 Landscape approach must be maintained ................................................... 137 11.5.2 Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere .................................... 138 11.5.3 Dumfries & Galloway Council ................ 139 12 Project Plans 12.1 Project Plans ............................................... 140 13 Appendices 13.1 Appendices .................................................. 142 1.1 Setting the Scene The Galloway Glens area is a varied microcosm of Scotland’s sublime landscapes, awesome wildlife, turbulent and ancient past, independent and courageous spirit, religious zeal, brilliant engineering and artistic creativity. A special place where people and landscape have lived together and continue living together, evolving, adapting, changing in the past, now and into the future. Scotland without the rough edges: welcoming, varied, fascinating. 1.2 The Galloway Glens Scheme The Galloway Glens Scheme (‘The Scheme’) is a ‘Landscape scale’ approach to the conservation and sustainable development of the unique landscape of the Ken/Dee valley in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbrightshire in South West Scotland. The Scheme aims to establish the local qualities of the area, to understand the risks facing the landscape and guide a concentrated five year suite of activities in order to connect people and communities with the natural, cultural & built heritage of the area. It is scheduled to include over £5million of expenditure and to run from 2018 to 2023. We live in straitened and turbulent times of ‘austerity’ and ‘Brexit’ and, while acknowledging these challenges, the Scheme will take an ambitious and yet realistic approach to leave the heritage of the Galloway Glens area better understood, better protected and better able to accommodate changes going forward. To ensure the strongest positive legacy, we will adopt a genuine partnership approach, with the support of a whole range of different groups and organisations varying from local voluntary groups to national statutory bodies. Forging effective and sustainable relationships has been a focus of the development phase and will remain a central focus of the delivery and legacy of the Scheme. 1.3 This Document This document, known as the Landscape Conservation Action Plan (LCAP), is an overview of the whole Scheme and will continue to be updated throughout the delivery phase. This will be done via a formal annual review by the Partnership Board, supported by feedback from projects underway and the changing challenges and opportunities, locally, nationally and globally. The early chapters act as a reference document and the later sections, detailing project plans and supporting documentation, provide management information for the Scheme’s operation. Upon completion of the delivery phase, a ‘Conclusions’ section will be added in order to summarise the activities of the Scheme, the outputs and outcomes achieved and the lessons learned. This document will then be re-published as a complete account of the Scheme’s activities, providing a toolkit for ongoing local use and a model for a landscape scale approach to heritage conservation. 1 KIRKCUDBRIGHT MUD FLATS LOCH KEN GALLOWAY FOREST PARK KIRKCUDBRIGHT HARBOUR OTTER POOL | RAIDERS ROAD 2 2.1 How did the Scheme come about? 2.1.1 First steps The Cultural and Natural Heritage of the Ken-Dee valley combines to create one of the jewels of South West Scotland. The landscape, which might at first glance appear to be natural, is in fact almost entirely a result of human control and modification. Factors such as the generation of electricity, farming and forestry practices have dictated land use in the past and the area is going through a time of change, with global, national and local factors creating a number of new and developing influences on the local landscape. Aware of the unique properties and special characteristics of the Ken-Dee landscape, a group of organisations and individuals with local interests came together in 2014, led by Dumfries & Galloway Council’s (the Council) Environment Team in order to consider opportunities to acknowledge and support the local heritage assets. The Ken-Dee valley was felt to benefit from a number of special landscape qualities, both contemporary developments resulting from the influence of man and also those on a geological timescale including climatic influences and its geographical position. As a result, a Landscape scale approach and the work that could be undertaken to protect and enhance the area in its broadest possible sense were considered and were found to align well with the principles of a Landscape Partnership Scheme. FIRST MEETING WITH THE WORKING GROUPS 2.1.2 Initial Approach to HLF The group of interested parties, still co-ordinated through The Council’s Environment Team, made initial contact with Heritage Lottery Fund staff and explored the opportunity for a Stage One Application to the Landscape Partnership Scheme. Separately, a number of community engagement events were held across the area seeking wider input from individuals and community groups about what was special about the area and what challenges it faced. This highlighted the range of partners with a stake in the local landscape, varying from statutory organisations to small community groups and individuals. Partnership working rapidly became one of the key tenets of the Scheme, even at these early stages. 3 2.1.3 Stage One Submission This period of initial consultation culminated in a Stage One submission to HLF for consideration in May 2015, which received stage One approval in November 2015. This allowed a formal Development stage to be undertaken, supported by a HLF development grant of up to £185,500 towards the total Development Phase costs of £269,496. The full Delivery Phase proposed to HLF at that time was for a five year scheme of work totalling £5,180,337 in expenditure, with a provisionally approved contribution of £2,730,200 from HLF (representing an intervention rate of 53%). The match funding required would be sought from a range of public and private sources. DANEVALE ESTATE MAP 1820 | Near Castle Douglas c.Ewart Library 4 2.2 The Scheme area – on a map The Scheme area is based on the Ken-Dee river catchments in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright in South West Scotland. In 1975, the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright was combined with Wigtownshire, Nithsdale and Annandale & Eskdale to form the Dumfries & Galloway Council region. The Scheme area runs from the hills around Carsphairn in the North, including the summits of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn and Corserine, and runs down the valley, including sections of the Galloway Forest Park, around Loch Ken. It includes the towns of Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright, entering the Solway Firth in Kirkcudbright bay. The Scheme area has undergone a detailed review as part of the Development phase, as outlined later in Chapter 4 ‘The Scheme Boundary’. 2.3 Who is the Galloway Glens ‘Landscape Partnership’? 2.3.1 Background During the early consultative period, a range of partners, both organisations and individuals, were identified that were supportive of the Scheme’s aims and would be able to input into efforts to connect people and communities with their heritage across the landscape of the Ken-Dee valley. These groups and individuals contributed towards a number of steering group meetings held through 2014 and 2015. Following the Stage One Approval from HLF in November 2015, the governance of the Scheme was formalised through the creation of a Partnership Board, supported by three working groups. The Chairs of these working groups also sit as Partnership Board members, providing a clear link between the two levels of governance. 5 At their first meeting in the Development phase, members of the Partnership Board agreed that an external Chair should be sought, independent of any organisation already represented and to act as a ‘figurehead’ for the scheme. A number of potential candidates were considered, with a clear wish from the Board to approach Sir Alex Fergusson, recently retired MSP and Galloway Glens resident. Sir Alex was keen to support the Scheme and agreed to act as Chairman of the Partnership Board. 2.3.2 The Partnership Board The Partnership Board is made up of a range of community groups, statutory agencies and individuals with an interest across the Scheme area. Membership through the Development phase has been as follows: Sir Alex Fergusson Christine Clarke David McNay Ed Forrest Emily Taylor Graeme Dickie Helen Keron Iain Howie John Dougan John Raven Lyndy Renwick Mary-Ann Smyth John Young Roddy Fairley Teresa Dougall Galloway Glens Partnership Board Chairman Third Sector, Dumfries & Galloway Scottish Environment Protection Agency Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Thematic Group Chair (Landscape, Wildlife & Land Management) Scottish Power (Generation) Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) Thematic Group Chair (Cultural & Built Heritage) Forestry Commission Scotland Historic Environment Scotland Thematic Group Chair (Community, Economy & Volunteering) Crichton Carbon Centre D&G Council, Elected Member Scottish Natural heritage National Farmers’ Union Scotland The Partnership Board has met eight times through the Development phase. A couple of queries were raised about additional members joining the Partnership Board through the development phase but the existing group was felt to adequately represent the scheme area and, significantly, there were very few conflicts of interest in specific projects under discussion. This allowed the Partnership Board to take a broad, landscape scale approach and oversee the Scheme on a strategic level rather than at a project level. Dumfries & Galloway Council, acting as the Scheme’s accountable body, is formally represented on the Partnership Board with an Elected Member from the Council’s Economy, Environment & Infrastructure Committee. Secretarial Support has been provided throughout by the Galloway Glens Development Officer. 2.3.3 Partnership Agreement The Scheme is overseen by a partnership agreement, drafted and agreed through the Development phase. This is a Memorandum of Understanding which sets out responsibilities of partners and the operation of Partnership board meetings. It allowed an opportunity for Partners to formally endorse 6 the Scheme’s Vision and Aims. The Delivery stage will be overseen by a separate partnership agreement. 2.3.4 Scheme Governance The Partnership Board is assisted by three thematic working groups, who have provided significant support to the Scheme throughout the Development phase. The working groups are made up of interested parties and organisations, all volunteering their time to the scheme at no charge, and focusing on three areas: • Community, Economy & Volunteering – Chair: Lyndy Renwick (Forestry Commission Scotland) • Cultural & Built Heritage – Chair: Iain Howie (Stewartry CVS) • Landscape, Wildlife & Land Management – Chair: Dr Emily Taylor (Crichton Carbon Centre) The working groups have met 4 times through the Development phase, particularly assisting with the design and scope of the studies undertaken through the Development phase and assessment of project ideas received through the community consultation efforts. Scheme governance throughout the Development phase has also been supported by a Dumfries & Galloway Council Project Management Board in order to oversee the Council’s investment in the Scheme and making use of the Council’s established project management systems and processes. This brings a range of internal checks and balances, and support and assurance of delivery going forward. The scheme governance has worked well throughout the Development phase, with the working groups effectively supporting the activities of the Partnership Board. Minutes from the working group and partnership board meetings are published on the Scheme website. Before the delivery phase commences, the membership of the Partnership Board will be reviewed in order to identify any additions that may assist with the Delivery stage. The role and make up of 7 working groups will also be reviewed, as the Scheme would like to continue to benefit from this support, although perhaps with greater intervals between meetings. Through the Delivery phase there may be the need to set up additional or alternative working groups as required. 2.3.5 Scheme Staff The Galloway Glens Development Officer (GGDO), McNabb Laurie, was recruited through early 2016 and started in post in April 2016. The GGDO’s employment on the Scheme culminates in the submission of the stage 2 application to HLF. The GGDO has received significant additional support from Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, particularly Karen Morley, Countryside Development Officer. This also includes office accommodation, administrative support and payroll services, and other staff time, above and beyond the costs formally charged to the Galloway Glens Scheme. This support is gratefully acknowledged by the GGDO and the Partnership Board. 2.3.6 Professional Fees The main role of the Development phase was to get a better understanding of the local landscape, the threats faced and to explore the feasibility of projects under consideration. As a result, a number of contracts were awarded by the Scheme during the Development phase. A detailed summary of these and their results are discussed later in this document, particularly Chapter 7, ‘What have we learned?’ These formal studies were, where necessary, supported by a range of smaller support contracts. It is important to note that all contracted work, whatever the contract value, was subject to rigorous value for money processes e.g. tender process or at least three quotes. This activity met with both DGC and HLF procurement requirements. 2.4 Community Consultation 2.4.1 The need for Effective Consultation Once the Galloway Glens Development Officer (GGDO) was in position, the consultation effort got underway in earnest. This sought to raise the profile of the scheme and seek input, building relationships with residents and visitors to the area. Between April 2016 and April 2017, the GGDO attended 106 meetings with the people and communities of the Galloway Glens area. This varied from one to one meetings to those with larger groups, including Community Councils, not for profit organisations such as GLENKENS CHILDREN’S CLUB PLAYGROUP the Rotary Club and businesses from across the area. In with Galloway Glens Development Officer total, presentations were made to over 750 people through this period. In addition, more general publicity was gained through attendance at events such as Agricultural Shows and the Dumfries & Galloway Environment Fair. 8 The willingness of the GGDO to engage in person with the communities was complimented by the use of other consultation channels including email, telephone, post and social media. This was also supported by coverage in the local press, particularly the Galloway News and the Glenkens Gazette. Social Media was identified early on as a useful tool to raise awareness of the Galloway Glens Scheme and both Facebook and twitter have been used consistently through the Development stage, with over 270 likes and 330 followers respectively at the time of the Stage 2 submission in August 2017. 9 Initial consultation efforts included a formal launch event, held in Castle Douglas in July 2016. This was very well attended, with representatives from a wide range of stakeholders and included speeches from the GGDO and the Chairman of the Council’s Economy, Environment & Infrastructure Committee. These broad consultation efforts were successful in raising the public awareness of the Galloway Glens Scheme across the project area. SCHEME LAUNCH EVENT JULY 2016 2.4.2 Consultation Content The content of the community consultation focussed on three main points of discussion: 1. What do you think makes the local landscape special? The consultation process was a great opportunity to speak to people across the area and get a better understanding of the different perceptions of ‘landscape’ and how people associate with it. This complemented and supported the formal Landscape Character Assessment that was being undertaken at the same time. 2. What are the challenges facing the local area? This question was framed against the parameters of the nine governing HLF Landscape Partnership programme outcomes, specifically: Outcomes for heritage ! better managed ! in better condition ! identified / recorded Outcomes for people ! developed skills ! learnt about heritage ! volunteered time Outcomes for communities ! environmental impacts will be reduced ! more people and a wider range of people will have engaged with heritage ! your local area/community will be a better place to live, work or visit Acknowledging these programme outcomes, significant consultation took place discussing the specific challenges facing people and sustainable communities in the Galloway Glens. 3. What projects would address those challenges, connecting people and sustainable communities to their heritage? Project ideas were sought from the whole range of potential partners in the Galloway Glens Area, from individuals to large organisations. 10 2.5 Project Development A suite of potential projects had been identified with the Stage One application but the Partnership Board were keen to ensure that the Scheme was open to amend and review through the Development phase, either as a result of the consultation efforts or the findings of the studies commissioned through the development phase. The final list of projects, accompanying this submission, came from two places: Figure 1: Project Development 2016-17 11 2.5.1 Commissioned Studies A number of the projects proposed in the Stage One application to HLF required some further exploratory work to establish their feasibility, and therefore studies were commissioned through this Development phase. An overview of the primary studies commissioned is outlined in the table below: Study Chosen Contractor Why Commissioned? Landscape Character Assessment & Historic Environment Audit Northlight Heritage To support the Stage 2 Application and to better understand the local landscape, a requirement of all Landscape Partnership Schemes,. Heritage Skills, Training & Economic Opportunities North of England Civic Trust To explore the opportunities for the GG Scheme to undertake training and employment related projects in the delivery phase. Loch Ken Fishery Study Galloway Fisheries Trust To explore whether there are any projects that could be undertaken by the Scheme to support fish populations and understand the heritage of fishing on the loch, following public and national interest in the condition of fish stocks. Natural Flood Management Feasibility Natural Power To explore whether the GG Scheme could support a Natural Flood Management Project in the area. Interpretation Strategy Minerva Heritage/Nigel Mills Heritage To co-ordinate the ’interpretation’ efforts by the Scheme – i.e. signage, leaflets etc., and to highlight best practice nationally and opportunities locally to connect people to their heritage. Normally undertaken in a Scheme of this size. Arctic Charr Reintroduction Feasibility Galloway Fisheries Trust To explore whether Arctic Charr could be reintroduced in Loch Grannoch. Communications Strategy (Inc. website) BDS Digital To draft a communications strategy for the scheme, including the design of a ‘Brand’ and the website, www.gallowayglens.org . Access Audit Dumfries & Galloway Council To understand the access options available at present in the project area and consider broader, more strategic access project that could be supported by the Scheme. Evaluation Audit Shirley Muir Associates To measure the effectiveness of the Scheme upon completion, a requirement of all Landscape Partnership Schemes. These studies were supported by smaller pieces of work when necessary to refine project proposals or in response to queries encountered. The completed studies are attached in the Appendix, apart from the Evaluation Audit which will be undertaken throughout the Delivery phase and published upon completion. 12 2.5.2 Public Call for Projects Overview of Process; 13 2.5.3 Criteria Applied Projects were assessed through the Development phase against three main criteria: 1) The governing Landscape Partnership criteria and broader landscape principles of the Scheme 2) Emerging findings from the consultation activity 3) The vision and aims of the Development phase Other factors were acknowledged when considering project ideas, particularly in September 2016 when it was important to consider the genuine viability of some of the more ambitious proposals. Partnership Board members endeavoured to consider the merit of each project against the above points rather than simply the simplicity of securing match funding, in order to create a varied and comprehensive project listing. 2.5.4 GG intervention in projects With an overall HLF intervention rate for the Scheme of 53%, Partnership Board members agreed the HLF input into each project assessed through this process should be a maximum of 40%. It was agreed that this would ensure a fair relationship would be formed with the project proposals received through the consultation period and would allow a higher HLF intervention rate into the harder to fund elements such as GG Administration and results of the commissioned studies, if necessary. 2.6 Building relationships 2.6.1 A way of working Partnership Board members have been very clear about the need for the Scheme to develop long term, sustainable relationships with partners. A focus of the Development phase has therefore been a large amount of ‘intangible’ work by Scheme staff to get to know the people and communities in the area. This has given the team a great knowledge of the area, and sets the Scheme up well to reflect and meet the issues facing the area on a bespoke and localised basis. Acknowledging the realities of the current financial climate, the long term success of the Scheme will depend significantly on the relationships made around each project. Successful relationships will provide the strongest possible legacy and support the exit strategy of the Scheme itself. All work undertaken has and will be pursued in a spirit of engaged, respectful and effective collaboration. 2.6.2 Keeping momentum The findings of the development phase, both tangible achievements and the intangible work, has influenced every part of the Galloway Glens Scheme’s content and design. The Delivery phase seeks to make use of the momentum, public engagement and awareness generated to get maximum benefit for the heritage of the local area. 14 2.7 This Landscape Conservation Action Plan (LCAP) 2.7.1 Aims This LCAP aims to give a detailed insight into the local landscape, what makes it special, identify the challenges it faces and what the Galloway Glens Scheme will do to connect people and the communities of the area to their heritage. 2.7.2 Use of the LCAP The LCAP is not intended to be a static document but will be added to and amended throughout the Delivery stage, controlled through a process of annual review by the Partnership Board. A final version will be published upon completion including a ‘Conclusions’ section. This will acting as a written legacy of the Scheme and for use by communities into the future. 2.7.3 Acknowledgements The LCAP was drafted between January and July 2017, co-ordinated by the Galloway Glens Development Officer (GGDO). It was supported by the studies commissioned through the Development phase and a range of other sources, including: members of the Partnership Board. Thanks go to everyone involved, with particular mention of: • Karen Morley, Council Countryside Development Officer; • Simon Fieldhouse, Council Service Manager – Environment; • Peter Norman, D&G Council Biodiversity Officer; • Stuart Littlewood, Local Photographer; • Andrew Nicholson, D&G Archaeologist; • Alistair Livingston, Local History Enthusiast; and • Martha Schofield, from Martha Schofield Design. 2.7.4 Bibliography References are usually cited in the document itself and hopefully have been credited appropriately. Any queries, please contact the GGDO. BIG OAK OF EARLSTOUN | Earlstoun Castle in the background c,Peter Norman 15 3.1 What is ‘Landscape’? 3.1.1 Not just the visual The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme (‘the Scheme’) has taken the opportunity to look at ‘landscape’ in its broadest possible sense. How do you define a landscape? It includes immediately obvious features such as the physical contours of the land, land use and settlement patterns, but also the more intangible elements of an area: an understanding of how it makes people feel, the influence of historical events, folk stories and mythology and an acknowledgment of the challenges and conflicts that might be running just beneath the surface – whether they be between humans, nature or any combination of these. This approach allows us to present not just a contemporary picture, but looks back to the past and into the future. 3.1.2 Definition The Scheme’s approach to landscape is consistent with the definition adopted by the European Landscape Convention (ELC): “An area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors.” 3.2 A Bird’s Eye View CLATTERINGSHAWS c. Stuart Littlewood Lying in South West Scotland, the Ken-Dee catchment is over 1050km2. It is bordered to the east by the River Urr and to the west by the River Fleet. From the summit of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn in the 16 north, the view stretches all the way down the valley towards Kirkcudbright and the Solway Firth. On a clear day the Cumbrian hills and the Isle of Man are visible in the distance. Near the village of Parton, the Water of Ken and the Black Water of Dee combine, taking the ‘River Dee’ name and flowing down by Castle Douglas and then out to sea at Kirkcudbright. Ten miles to the east is Dumfries, the largest town in Dumfries & Galloway, which dominates services and facilities in the region. To the West is Galloway Forest Park and Wigtownshire, the most south-westerly part of Scotland, with Northern Ireland lying a short journey across the sea. 3.3 Underlying it all 3.3.1 Formation The topography of the Galloway Glens has been formed by a combination of underlying geology and erosion by glaciers and more recently by rivers. The area is underlain by sedimentary rocks including sandstones and mudstones, laid down in the ocean that existed during the Ordovician and Silurian ages (c.485-420 million years ago), and through which igneous granites later intruded. This created areas of hard rock (granites) within the field of more easily eroded rocks (sandstones and mudstones). During the Pleistocene period, glaciers covered this part of Scotland, with an ice cap over the Merrick area that had higher elevation due to intrusive igneous rocks known as granite which forms harder rocks. When the glaciers emerged from the ice caps, they scoured their way down through the softer rocks towards the sea. This can be seen today in the corries cut out of the Merrick and Corserine summits, and the U shaped valleys that run out to the coast. 17 As they went, the glaciers ground down the rocks they passed over, and deposited the eroded material in ripples underneath them. These ripples of deposited materials form the distinctive ‘drumlin’ landscape of regular, smooth oval hills all orientated in the direction of flow of the glacier. Different types and depths of deposits later influenced the soils that formed over the land. Variations in the formation, chemical composition and therefore hardness of the rocks, lead to differences in their resistance to glacial erosion, with the harder granites being left as high ground, where the softer mudstones and sandstones were ground down to form valleys. 3.3.2 After the Ice Much of the Galloway Glens area is covered by superficial deposits, the material between bedrock and soil -including deep peats on high ground and upland valleys such as the Silver Flowe -and mixed glacial deposits. Fluvial deposits are found along the river valley floors. After the ice age, between 10,000 and 6,000 years ago, the warmer climate meant that the sea level was higher than today, such that the sea ran into the basin that now forms the Kirkcudbright area, leaving marine deposits around Kirkcudbright and Tongland. The retreat of the last ice sheet over south-west Scotland triggered a series of changes along the coast. The land initially rebounded with the release of pressure, but then sea levels rose in the main post-glacial transgression of the 7th and 6th millennia BC. The subsequent retreat of the sea created raised beaches and relict cliff lines along the coast. 3.4 Climate Galloway benefits from a relatively temperate and moderated climate, with softer winters than much of Scotland. Rainfall is relatively high compared to the rest of the UK. Despite sharing similar lines of latitude with Labrador in Canada, the area benefits from the prevailing South Westerly Winds and North Atlantic drift to give a productive environment for livestock and, in the lower areas, intensive areas of agriculture. Winters are milder and considerably wetter than the UK average. The figure (courtesy of metoffice.gov.uk) gives an overview of average local rainfall (Dundrennan meteorological station, near Kirkcudbright), compared to Edinburgh. 18 People 3.5.1 People start to make their mark HIGH BANKS CUP & RING MARKS c. Peter Norman 3.5 DALARRAN HOLM STANDING STONE c. Andrew Nicholson Early prehistoric people moved through the post-glacial wooded landscape along natural corridors in search of resources. Later, Neolithic communities cleared woodland using polished stone axes imported from Cumbria and established closer links to certain areas of land. They marked significant places through the construction of massive monuments, many situated along the early routeways through the uplands and in the upper valley. The coastal fringe around the Dee estuary was the focus of prehistoric open-air rock art, its precise date of creation and purpose still a mystery. In the Bronze and Iron Ages, horizons expanded considerably as people travelled over long distances and conveyed not only new knowledge but also raw materials, artefacts, ideas and beliefs. Natural features like hilltops, lochs and rivers became the focus of deliberate, votive deposition of valued objects. AXEHEAD – BRIDGE OF DEE c. Andrew Nicholson By the late 2nd millennium BC, settlement and agriculture had spread onto the upland fringes and woodland clearance continued, assisted by phases of climatic deterioration; soils degraded and peat began to accumulate rapidly. In the mid-1st millennium BC, communities living mainly along the eastern side of the Dee began building enclosed settlements on high ground. This period of construction of defensive structures may relate to an increasing call upon natural resources, either due to increasing populations or climatic change, requiring productive areas or stores of food to be defended. Different cultural, political or linguistic identities prevailed at different points. British, Anglian, Norse and Gaelic place names and material culture are the relics of successive waves of identity and 19 control during the second half of the 1st millennium AD. In the medieval period, the lordship of Galloway emerged as a strong expression of Galwegian identity in the face of a strong centralising power. 3.5.2 Influencing the landscape over time 20 3.5.3 Power and Resistance A number of sites in the Galloway Glens had considerable significance as landscapes of power and resistance. The valley around Carsphairn was significant to early prehistoric communities over the course of perhaps 2,000 years, and is marked by monuments including the Cairn Avel burial cairn near Carsphairn. The stretch of broad, fertile valley between Glenlochar and Castle Douglas became a centre of political and religious power from the mid 1st millennium BC, as evident in the settlement CAIRN AVEL | Burial Cairn c. Andrew Nicholson pattern, the abundance and quality of metalwork deposited as votive offerings, and the positioning of the Roman military complex close by. The surrender of Threave Castle to King James II in 1455 brought the medieval Lordship of Galloway to an end, a significant moment when charting the relative independence of Galloway and ensuing efforts to bring the area into line with national kingdoms as we know them today. 3.5.4 Covenanting COVENANTER’S TOMB | Dalry c. Andrew Nicholson The Galloway Glens hosted a number of key events from the Covenanting period and were hotbeds of Covenanter dissent and conflict. Covenanters were Scottish Presbyterians, named for their signature to the 1638 ‘National Covenant’. Strict adherence to church attendance and the stern morality of Calvinist Presbyterianism bound the scattered communities of the Galloway Glens together and to their parish ministers. A fundamental part of this doctrine was that the head of the church was not the King, but Jesus Christ. As a result, when Charles I tried to bring Scottish church practice into line with English church practice in 1637, there was widespread opposition, symbolised by the National Covenant of 1638. The Covenanters resisted the efforts to reassert the King’s control of the church and ultimately were persecuted for pursuing their faith. Support for the National Covenant was very strong in Galloway. During the struggle between Covenant and Crown which followed, forces loyal to Charles I held Threave Castle which was 21 besieged by the Army of the Covenant in 1640. After the Castle surrendered, its roof was removed and Robert McLellan, elder, of Barscobe took stonework from the castle for his tower house in Balmaclellan. Charles I was unable to impose his religious reforms on the area but after the restoration of Charles II, a second attempt was made. Parish ministers in the Galloway Glens refused to accept the changes and were all replaced by new ministers. Many of their parishioners remained loyal, gathering in conventicles to hear their original ministers preach. The conventicles were declared illegal and troops were drafted in to break them up. Tensions rose until on 15 November 1666, an armed uprising against the troops broke out in Dalry, nationally known as ‘The Pentland Rising’. This led ultimately to the Battle of Ruillon Green in the Pentland Hills when 900 Covenanter rebels were defeated by a much larger force of The Scottish Royal Army. The covenanter rebels were led by Robert McLellan, younger, of Barscobe. This defeat, combined with the cruel treatment of covenanter prisoners after the battle, pushed the covenanters underground, and they were subject to persecution and threat through what is known as ‘The Killing Times’. This only receded in 1688 with the Glorious Revolution and the return of a protestant king, William III, to the throne. Altogether, 93 suspected Covenanters were executed in Scotland. There were 30 executions in Kirkcudbrightshire including an estimated 13 in the Galloway Glens area. The victims’ graves can be found in churchyards and there is a recent monument to the Covenanters in Dalry while older monuments dot the hills, contributing to the religious landscape of the area. 3.5.5 Revolution – Agricultural and Industrial With the 18th century came developments in agriculture, technology and sea transport which brought greater economic, political and social stability to the area. By the second half of the century an atmosphere of optimism and prosperity prevailed, populations in the towns were increasing, and Kirkcudbright saw a resurgence in commerce and trade. Galloway led the way in Scotland POLMADDY SETTLEMENT | Grouped houses c. Andrew Nicholson with modern agricultural changes which imposed a different structure on the rural landscape replacing the old pattern of dispersed fermtouns with enclosed fields. This was not without controversy and again, resistance - the Levellers Rising of 1724-5 erupted in protest. The Levellers were a group whose livelihoods were at risk from the enclosure of land and the move towards the much less labour intensive practice of sheep farming. The Galloway Levellers activity peaked in the 1720s and formed part of the broader ‘lowland clearances’ period, overlooked in 22 comparison to the highland clearances but of equal local significance. This resulted in the drastic changes in population in the area and a number of local landscape features relate to this time, including the Kelton Dyke which was saved from demolition by the action of the local minister who was able to negotiate with the levellers. Beginning near Kirkcudbright in March 1724, the Galloway Levellers took action against the enclosures, with a number of either symbolic or significant incidents of dyke levelling recorded. With crowds of over 1000 involved, many armed with muskets, a regiment of dragoons was sent to Kirkcudbright in June 1724. In printed broadsheets, the Levellers proclaimed their loyalty to King George I and blamed the evictions on Jacobite landowners who were also illegally importing Irish cattle. This led King George to express sympathy for their plight. The last stand of the Levellers took place in Balmaghie when the soldiers were ordered to use minimal force. 200 Levellers were captured but most were allowed to escape on the march back to Kirkcudbright, leaving only a few ringleaders to be sued for damages by the landowners. The actions of the Levellers did not prevent the change to more centralised, large-scale farming over the next 150 years, a period now known as the Agrarian Revolution. At the same time, landowners constructed planned villages, roads and canals, established mills and mines, and designed parkland landscapes around new country houses. New towns like Castle Douglas (founded in 1791) were laid out on a grid pattern which was also applied to the part of Kirkcudbright. Carsphairn, Dalry and Bridge of Dee were improved and rebuilt while other settlements, like Polmaddy were abandoned. There is no limestone in the area, but efforts to neutralise the slightly acidic soils in order to increase agricultural production led to the discovery in 1730 of marl in some lochs of the area, particularly Carlingwark. The marl had built up over centuries from the shells of fresh water snails, and could be used as a substitute for lime. Without paved roads the marl could initially only be used close to its sources. In 1765, Alexander Gordon of Greenlaw dug a short length of canal from Carlingwark Loch to the Dee above Threave Castle. Barge loads of marl could then be transported as far upstream as the Boatpool of Dalry 15 miles away. Woodland clearance had largely been completed by the Roman period, but further clearance for agriculture took place through the medieval and post-medieval periods. Deforestation was largely complete by the mid-18th century. New planting was then undertaken for landscape purposes and to provide materials and fuel for increasing industrialisation. The same industrialisation, thanks to acid rain and peatland drainage, resulted in localised negative impacts on water quality 23 CROSSMICHAEL STATION c. Andrew Nicholson Another landscape influence was the railway which crossed the area from Castle Douglas up to Parton and west over Loch Ken, through Mossdale and into the hills. The arrival of this railway line in the early 1860s supported local industries including agriculture, allowing the focus to move from cheese making to milk production, with fresh milk from the Galloway Glens now able to be quickly transported to central Scotland. The links of tracks, bridges, viaducts and stations have had a dramatic effect in the past, and the dismantled line is still visible in places. Sheep farming declined and contracted, later to be replaced with large plantations of commercial forestry in an effort to replenish timber supplies depleted by two world wars. This was a time of great innovation and advance, both in technology and also in society. This societal advance is illustrated by Dorothee Pullinger’s management of Tongland Car Factory in the 1920s. The factory manufactured the ‘Galloway’ motor car, described by Light Car and Cycle Magazine in 1921 as ‘built by ladies, for those of their own sex’. Over 4,000 Galloways were built, initially at the Tongland factory and then moving to Dumfries. Pullinger, still the only woman in the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame, died in 1986. 3.5.6 Visitors Initially, tourism was dominated by the more affluent in society. Artists were attracted by scenery and the local light, and sportsmen attracted by the opportunities for shooting and fishing. In the mid-19th century, the Glasgow and South Western Railway built a line from Dumfries to Portpatrick, bringing not only a significant linear landscape feature to the Galloway Glens area, with tracks, bridges, cuttings and embankments, but also had a significant impact on social and economic life, including farming. For example, the new hamlet of Mossdale grew around New Galloway station, which was actually 3 miles from New Galloway itself. Kirkcudbright has strong connections with the Glasgow Art movement, hosting the Kirkcudbright Artists’ Colony at the beginning of the 20th Century. Artists such as Edward Hornel and Charles Oppenheimer based themselves in the area, citing the quality of the local light as an influence for some of their most loved works. The area has hosted a number of film locations over the years, including the dubious honour of being the location for the 1973 film ‘The Wicker Man’. A number of scenes were filmed in Kirkcudbright’s historic and more cramped streets, contributing to the feeling of a very tight-knit community. 3.5.7 Conflict The population of the Galloway Glens has been affected by global war in the same tragic way as many rural areas across Britain, with a loss of workforce for the duration of the war and a significant loss of local life. War memorials are found across the area detailing the names of the lives lost during 24 World War I and World War II. Balmaclellan churchyard contains what may be the first war memorial funded through civic donations in memory of five men who died in the Crimean War. The UK’s military forces still impact the local landscape today, particularly through the use of the area for low flying by the Royal Air Force. Hercules transport aircraft can be so low that they seem to be camouflaged against the green background of surrounding hills. PARTON CHURCH c. S Littlewood 3.5.9 3.5.8 Resources Humans have exploited the natural resources and power of the elements in the Galloway Glens area throughout time: mining lead, quarrying slate, working iron, harnessing water to power corn mills, textile mills and hydroelectric schemes and most recently capturing wind to create electricity. In the 1930s, the construction of the hydroelectric scheme to harness water power reshaped local topography and hydrology, as well as adding industrial architecture on an impressive scale, much of it in a Modernist style. Who lives here now NEW GALLOWAY COTTAGE | Then & Now Reviewing the 2011, census, it is estimated that the Galloway Glens Scheme area has a population of approximately 15,000 people. Most demographic statistics are not available at the scale of the Landscape Partnership area, but census statistics for the wider Stewartry District are available and can be compared with those for Dumfries and Galloway as a whole, and with Scotland. The total population of Stewartry District in 2011 was 24,022, out of a total Dumfries and Galloway population of 151,324 (Census data). The biggest settlements within the Landscape Partnership area, by population, are Castle Douglas (4,070 in 2012) and Kirkcudbright (3,390 in 2012). At 0.14 persons per hectare in 2011, the Stewartry has a very low population density (Scottish average 0.68). (Census data). The Stewartry has a very low mix of ethnic diversity. Only 0.74% of the population is of ethnic origin, with Asian origin (0.3%) constituting the largest single ethic group. (Census data) 25 3.5.10 Population trends Dumfries and Galloway’s population reached a peak of 158,890 in 1851. This was 5.5 % of the total Scottish population of 2,888,742. The most recent figures for Dumfries and Galloway give the region a population of 148 060, which is 2.8% of the total Scottish population of 5,295,000. It is interesting to note that if Dumfries and Galloway still had 5.5% of the total Scottish population there would be 291,000 people living in Dumfries and Galloway today - twice as many people as the region actually has. The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright’s population would increase, extrapolated by the same margin, by 55,000. This highlights that the population change (or lack of change) counters the national trend. The slight decline in overall population over the last 150 years masks much bigger change within the parishes that makes up the Galloway Glens area, with the northern reaches losing the vast majority of their population due to a number of factors including changes to national policy and developing agricultural practices. According to Statistical Accounts of Scotland, parishes in the Glenkens, in the North of the Galloway Glens Area, lost at least 30% of their population between 1850 and 1950 – indeed certain areas lost more. Balmaclellan numbered 1,145 persons in 1851 and was down to 550 in 1951, a drop of over 50%. The shift of population to villages and towns has been evidenced by the increasing populations of Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright during this period. The Third Statistical Account of Scotland, from 1950, highlighted that locally “there is an undue preponderance of elderly people owing to the migration of the younger people” – a position that continues today, with a local demographic that continues to age. The population of Dumfries and Galloway decreased by 1% from 2009 to 2015, whilst the Scottish population increased by 2.7% in the same period. (National Records of Scotland). By 2029, the population of Dumfries and Galloway is projected to remain around the same or decrease slightly, whereas the Scottish population is projected to increase by 7.5%. However, older age groups are projected to increase in the region, most notably the 75+ age group. The population aged 16-29 in Dumfries and Galloway is projected to decline by 16.3% over the same period. (NRS) 3.5.11 Employment & Education today The sector employing the greatest proportion (14.8%) of the population in the Stewartry was the wholesale and retail trade, including repair of motor vehicles. The next highest (14.3%) is human health and social work activities. A higher proportion (12.3%) of the Stewartry population is employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in 2011 than in Dumfries and Galloway as a whole (8.7%) or Scotland. Accommodation & food service activities, education and manufacturing were the next biggest employment sectors. (All data NRS 2011) In 2011, 10.4% of the population of the Stewartry is identified as a carer (defined as a person providing unpaid help or support to family members, friends or neighbours because of long-term physical or mental ill health or disability or problems related to old age - not including any activities 26 as part of paid employment). The figure for D&G is 9.9%, and 9.4% for Scotland as a whole. (NRS 2011) 3.5.12 Deprivation The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) is based on statistics relating to income, employment, health, education, access, crime and housing and is provided by datazones in quintiles with the most deprived being in Quintile 1 and the least deprived being Quintile 5. Dumfries and Galloway contains some of the most deprived and least deprived areas in Scotland. The datazones in the Galloway Glens area in 2016 area mostly fell into Quintile 3, with the Castle Douglas area in Quintile 2. The biggest single issue in many deprived datazones is access to facilities, taking into account travel time and public transport in such a rural area. This has been exacerbated by the loss of some rural services such as shops, post offices and public houses. 3.5.13 Land Ownership Land ownership in the area is very fragmented, varying from large landholdings to small, complex mosaics. The area has always had a relatively high number of ‘estates’, often including managed garden landscapes. Some of these large estates remain intact, while others have been broken up and now have a number of owners. This is illustrated by Little Ross Island in Kirkcudbright Bay being listed as for sale at the time of drafting this document. Interest had been received from potential purchasers from around the world, in part due to the appeal of owning an island but also its setting at the mouth of the river. Additional layers of complexity result from the use of the river for the Hydro Scheme. The original builders of the scheme negotiated separately with each land owner and this has resulted in a very complex ownership map around the modified river channel, with some landowners having different riparian rights or ownership boundaries. This legacy needs to be acknowledged in all projects undertaken through the Scheme and contributes towards the unique landscape experienced today. 3.5.14 Considering our Audience Acknowledging the above points, it is clear that there is a range of audiences and partners whose lives are interwoven into the Galloway Glens Scheme area. These include: • Residents • Visitors for leisure or work • Landowners • Utility Companies – i.e. Scottish Power • Access takers • Older people • Groups with long term disabilities or caring responsibilities • Young people The Scheme will endeavour to work with a whole range of partners through the Delivery stage, including those that might be harder-to-reach. 27 3.5.15 The Appetite of Visitors Visitors to the area, whether for leisure or for work, are a significant influence on the local landscape, supporting the tourism industry and therefore the broader Galloway Glens community. The Dumfries & Galloway Regional Tourism Strategy states that tourism supports 7,000 jobs across Dumfries and Galloway, bringing over £300 million to the economy each year. The Strategy highlights the region’s ‘heritage and culture’ as one of the five main drivers of growth in this sector. Developing the ‘heritage offering’, alongside other identified opportunities such as ‘nature and activities will encourage more visitors and leave the heritage of the area more widely understood and appreciated. The Tourism Strategy anticipates that heritage tourism will become increasingly important with time. 3.5.16 The Appetite of Residents It is clear from the success of current informal heritage activities in the Galloway Glens area that there is an appetite locally to learn more about the heritage. This is further supported through the consultation activities in the Development phase, part of which included historic map evenings, archaeological talks and peatbog measurement days, and all of which were well attended. Of particular note is the recent campaign to retain the Galloway Hoard in the region. While ultimately unsuccessful, this campaign caught the public consciousness and highlighted the local interest and pride in the heritage of the area. The petition to retain the Hoard was signed by over 5,200 people in only a few weeks. 3.6 A Natural, and not-so-natural, History Wildlife habitats and species influence the landscape of the Galloway Glens, not only visually but through the ecosystem services they support, such as nutrient cycling and crop pollination; the resources they provide, such as clean water and timber; their regulating effects, such as on the climate and flooding; and their cultural benefits, such as their spiritual and recreational value. Many habitats and species generate an element of local pride, particularly the signature, ‘flagship’ species. As well as influencing the landscape, wildlife has long been influenced by the people who inhabit the landscape, sometimes to the extent that the distinction between the natural and the man-made is blurred. 3.6.1 Habitats The landscape of the Galloway Glens consists of a mosaic of habitats, natural in origin, but all modified to a greater or lesser extent by human activities. It is often the proximity of these habitats to each other and how they work together that gives the area its unique feel. The following habitats are locally significant, either because they are rare and support scarce species, or simply because they are locally extensive in the area. They are also largely highlighted as of significance in the Biosphere Natural Heritage Management Plan. This is not an exhaustive list of local habitats, only a demonstrative selection of the mosaic, contributing towards the unique landscape. 3.6.1.1 Moorland Moorland is a broad term for a range of habitats, now largely confined to the uplands, though originally would also have occurred at low altitude. It has a long cultural history, whether used for 28 farming, medieval hunting, grouse shooting or recreation. Heather dominated moorland, a habitat virtually confined to Britain and Ireland, is of high biodiversity value and is traditionally managed through rotational burning, but it is rare in the Galloway Glens area where moorland typically consists of rough grasslands. On the highest hills, montane heath is characterised by sparse, stony vegetation, typically mosses. Many bird and animal species are dependent on extensive areas of moorland. 3.6.1.2 Bogs Bogs, or flows as they are sometimes locally known, are wetlands composed of deep peat. They have formed as a result of the partial decay of vegetation, particularly Sphagnum mosses, over thousands of years. Depending on the processes involved in their formation, they take the form of raised bogs in BEGGER’S MOSS valleys and lowland depressions, or blanket bogs on the upper slopes of hills. As a result, they support specialised plant and animal species rarely found in other habitats. Despite the fact that almost all bogs have been exploited for fuel and other uses over hundreds of years, they constitute an enormous carbon sink and often preserve a valuable archaeological record. The largest and best known site is Silver Flowe, but there are also a number of smaller bogs in the area. 3.6.1.3 Marshes & Reed Beds Marshes are wetlands where the water table is close to the surface for much of the year. Unlike bogs, they are not composed of peat, but can also support a specialised biodiversity. Many marshes have been traditionally grazed and some cut for hay, though this is now a rare practice. In certain circumstances, the vegetation can be almost totally dominated by a single species, Common Reed. Such reed beds often have a different fauna to other marshes, including several moths and other insects that are entirely dependent on reed. The fringes of Loch Ken support extensive areas of marsh and reed bed, with the Threave wetlands also acting as a significant local example. 3.6.1.4 Native Woodland Native woods are composed of tree species which naturally colonised Britain after the Ice Age, though the actual trees in these woods may be of planted origin. Native woods therefore tend to have the greatest variety of associated wildlife, and ancient woodland sites (defined in Scotland as areas continually wooded since 1750) tend to be the most valuable of all especially, for rare but lesser known, species of lichens and invertebrates. Due to a long history of clearance, there are few large native woods, but good examples can be found at Hannaston Wood at Glenlee and High Wood near New Galloway. Designation of land as ‘forest’ dates back to medieval times, but at that time it was used to protect game and the owner’s hunting rights, rather than anything to do with trees. A significant part of the Galloway Glens area formed part of the Forest of Buchan, an immense royal hunting forest. In the year 1500 it occupied large tracts of land in the parishes of Kells, Carsphairn, and Minnigaff in the west. 29 3.6.1.5 Coniferous Woodland Plantations of conifers are a relatively recent, post-Second World War addition to the landscape, but are now extensive in the Galloway Glens area. Most of the species they support are common in other habitats, but a number of species, such as Crossbills, are conifer specialists and others, such as Nightjars and Black Grouse, have adapted to appropriately managed conifer forests. OTTER’S POOL | Galloway Forest Park Part of the Galloway Forest Park (GFP) lies within the Galloway Glens area. Forest Parks are extensive areas of high scenic value land managed by the Forestry Enterprise Scotland on behalf of the people of Scotland. They are managed as high quality multi-purpose forestry where public access is encouraged. The oldest Forest Park in Scotland, Argyll, was designated in 1935, and the GFP (the largest Forest Park in the UK) was designated in 1947. The GFP is a significant part of the National Forest Estate at over 97,000 hectares in size and is part of the wider forest area managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland at 116,000 hectares in Galloway and 640,000 across Scotland. GFP sustainably supports the felling of around 600,000 tonnes of timber annually, enough to fill 24,000 lorries. It can be said that there is a part of Galloway in almost every home in the UK. The trees in the GFP are primarily Spruces, with a mixture of Scott’s Pine, Douglas fir and other conifer species along with a huge range of broad leaved species. The Forest Park is also a buffer zone for the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere and includes a number of archaeological sites of significance and also popular leisure facilities such as Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre and the ‘Raider’s Road’ driving route, named after local author S.R. Crockett’s novel of the same name. 3.6.1.6 Estuary & Mudflats The River Dee enters the Solway via the estuary of Kirkcudbright Bay. Though more enclosed than the Solway itself, the estuary is characterised by wide open spaces that change with the tide from open water to mudflats with meandering channels. Steep coastal slopes with seabirds dominate the KIRKCUDBRIGHT MUDFLATS mouth of the estuary, but give way to rolling wooded hills leading down to fringing saltmarsh and the shallow inlets of Ross Bay and Manxman’s Lake. The sights and sounds of wintering wildfowl and wading birds are an important element of this habitat. 30 3.6.1.7 Rivers and Lochs The uplands of the Galloway Glens are infamous for the acidification of rivers and lochs, which has resulted in the localised loss of some aquatic species. Some of the earliest experiments to try and rectify the situation took place in Loch Dee. For decades, the soil and water acidity in the uplands was thought to be due to acid rain (from heavy metals and soot particles from industrial emissions elsewhere). However, in the last ten years the acid rain has decreased yet river acidity remains high, and many soil scientists began to link the ploughing and draining of peatland to the source of acidification. Peatland restoration is possible, and could eventually result in improvements to water quality. 3.6.2 Species The juxtaposition of different landscape character types and habitats results in a wide diversity of species, some of which are restricted to a particular habitat, others that require a number of different habitats in close proximity to each other. The species of the Galloway Glens are representative of those across Scotland and as such fit well with recent initiatives such as Visit Scotland’s Big 5 campaign (Red Squirrel, Red Deer, Harbour Seal, Otter and Golden Eagle). Though all five are found in the Galloway Glens area, the main 'flagship' species with a high local public profile and influence on the landscape include: 3.6.2.1 Greenland White-Fronted Geese One of only six overwintering flocks of Greenland White-fronted Geese in Scotland is to be found in the Galloway Glens, near Loch Ken. They arrive in autumn each year and stay until spring before heading north to Greenland. This much threatened sub-species, which has a global population of less than 20,000, faces a number of challenges such as climate change and habitat loss. Their small numbers leave them particularly vulnerable to changes in land use. 3.6.2.2 Red Squirrels The varied local habitat of the Galloway Glens retains a strong population of Red Squirrels. This species, much loved by residents and visitors to the area, is threatened by Grey Squirrels, both competing for food and carrying disease. The Glenkens Red Squirrel Group culled over 450 Grey Squirrels in the north of the Galloway Glens Area in 2015 in an effort to reduce the population to a size that can be kept down by culling at a more manageable level. More recent culling has been at a reduced level, due in part to a lower population of Greys but also limited resources at present. 3.6.2.3 Fish Loch Ken is renowned as one of Scotland's most prolific Pike and coarse fishing waters. Historically the largest Pike, caught in 1798, was said to weigh a massive 72lb. The recent arrival of American Signal Crayfish has led to concerns about the fish stocks in the Loch, as outlined further in Chapter 7 ‘What Have We Learned’. JUVENILE TROUT AMERICAN SIGNAL CRAYFISH 31 The first Statistical Account (1791-99) refers to Pike "in great perfection and of an uncommon size" as well as Perch "taken in great quantities" and Eels "never interrupted in their possession of the waters." 3.6.2.4 Red Kites Red Kites were once common birds across the United Kingdom but were reduced almost to the point of extinction in the late 20th century. A population was successfully returned to the Galloway Glens in 2003, and have now established a strong local presence. The Galloway Kite Trail has proved a successful visitor attraction, attracting over 100,000 visitors and more than £8.2 million for the local economy between 2004 and 2015. 3.6.2.5 Golden Eagle A rich legacy of place-names, particularly in the uplands, confirms that Golden Eagles were once widespread residents of Dumfries and Galloway. They are mentioned in the literature from the late 17th century. Breeding ceased in 1876, but regular nesting was re-established in 1945 with up to five nesting territories, one of which encompasses part of the Galloway Glens. A reintroduction project in the South of Scotland has recently begun, which will bolster local populations further. Though the birds are not frequently seen, when they are it can prove to be a once in a lifetime experience for the lucky observer. 3.6.2.6 Osprey Ospreys are large birds of prey, which spend the winter in Africa, returning to nest in Britain each summer, where they catch fish by a spectacular plunge into the water. They became extinct in the British Isles in 1916, but recolonised in 1954 and are continuing to expand their numbers and range. The abundance of lochs and rivers in the Galloway Glens provides excellent feeding habitat and a few pairs have now begun nesting in the area, with public viewing facilities at Threave Estate. 3.6.3 Traditional livestock The Galloway Glens Area is, or has been, home to a number of local native livestock breeds, often of national or international importance. These include: 3.6.3.1 Galloway Cattle The broader Galloway area has a strong history of cattle breeding and Galloway cattle are famously tough, hardy beasts able to tolerate a range of pasture and BELTED GALLOWAY climates with minimal maintenance and fuss. Belted Galloways developed in the 17th Century, thought to be from a cross 32 between a Galloway and The Dutch Belted Cow. Belted Galloways are famous the world over due to their positive traits inherited from the Galloways and their distinctive appearance. In the days before the railways, when cattle were driven from Galloway to Norfolk Fairs, the drovers always liked to have a ‘Beltie’ amongst the bunch, so that in the dark days they could pick out the way the cattle were heading (www.beltedgalloways.co.uk). The breed now survives with a dedicated preservation society and is found at a number of places in the Galloway Glens. 3.6.3.2 Galloway Blackface sheep, goats and deer Prior to afforestation, the Galloway Uplands were grazed by sheep (Scottish Blackface) and goats, some of which are now feral. Galloway Red Deer are said to be larger than their highland counterparts perhaps thanks to the better climate and grazing; some are now farmed for venison and breeding stock. 3.6.3.3 Galloway Pony The Galloway Pony was a small breed, associated with the relatively poor, unimproved soils of the area. It was described as having “good looks, a wide, deep chest and a tendency to pace rather than trot." An example of a traditional breed without the necessary support and preservation mechanism in place, the Galloway Pony is now extinct due to crossbreeding. 3.7 Designations 3.7.1 The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere (the Biosphere) was designated in 2012. The Biosphere concept is based on understanding and promoting a positive and sustainable relationship between man and the environment. It achieves this by facilitating partnerships working between communities and businesses, NGO’s and public agencies, identifying and supporting the delivery of common goals and aspirations that will ultimately benefit all of us. All biospheres are overseen by the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme. Strategic objectives for 2015-2025 are set out in the Biosphere’s Strategic Plan 2017 – 2022: 1) Conserving Biodiversity, restore & enhance ecosystem services and foster the sustainable use of natural resources. 2) Contribute to building sustainable, healthy and equitable societies, economies and thriving settlements 3) Facilitate sustainability science and education for sustainable development 4) Support mitigation and adaptation to Climate Change and other aspects of global environmental change. 33 The work of the Biosphere is focussed on three management zones, core, buffer and transition. The boundary is broadly based on the seven river catchments emanating from the Galloway hills, one of which is the Ken-Dee watershed. The Galloway Glens area extends from the core areas (Merrick Kells including Silver Flowe), through the buffer area (largely based on Galloway Forest Park), and most of the remainder of the Galloway Glens area lies within transition zone for the biosphere, as outlined in the above map: A key focus for the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere is using the UNESCO Biosphere designation to support the development and promotion of the region, its communities and its heritage as a “destination” in an often over looked corner of Scotland. 3.7.2 Natural Heritage Designations 3.7.2.1 Solway Coast Regional Scenic Area The Solway Coast Regional Scenic Area (RSA) runs along the coast from the Fleet Valley to the Lochar Water east of the Nith Estuary, including the coastal margins around Kirkcudbright Bay, inland to Tongland. It includes estuaries and the contrasting intervening rugged shores and coastal uplands. The area has a diverse mixture of coastal landscape types. In the west the Peninsulas and Peninsulas with Gorsey Knolls create rocky coastlines of cliffs, raised beaches and isolated coves, backed by smooth undulating open landscapes of improved pastures interspersed with knolly, gorsey areas. The coastline is dissected by major inlets such as Kirkcudbright Bay. 3.7.2.2 The Galloway Hills Regional Scenic Area The Galloway Hills RSA centres on the Rugged Granite Uplands and Coastal Granite Uplands of central Galloway, extending from the Ayrshire boundary south to where the hills meet the sea. The area includes the principal foothills, lower ridges and side slopes of the eastern and western flanks of the Galloway Uplands, as well the adjacent Cairnsmore of Carsphairn range of hills, and includes the visual envelopes of the three major valleys which encircle the hills; the Cree, Fleet and the Glenkens. It is the largest RSA in Dumfries and Galloway, with a recognition that all parts play a role in the whole. The overall scale of the designated area results in some parts, particularly those areas included because of their contribution to the wider view, being of less internal scenic interest than others. Examples include the forested foothills of the Merrick and the Rhinns of Kells. However, these areas form the setting to the dramatic summits of the Galloway Uplands, and so warrant designation as an integral part of the scenically valued landscape of the Galloway hills, to protect them from unsuitable development, and encourage sensitive management. 3.7.2.3 Additional Natural Heritage Designations There are numerous other natural heritage designations within the Galloway Glens area, which demonstrate the value of the natural environment at a national and international level and make up the existing landscape designations. Natural heritage designations include: • Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) • Special Protection Areas (SPA) • Ramsar sites 34 • • Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), that can be designated for geological or biological interest Ancient Woodlands These are listed in detail in the Landscape Character Assessment & Historic Environment Report, detailed in the appendix, and combine to create a unique combination of designations. 3.7.3 Landscape Character The Landscape Character Assessment undertaken through the Galloway Glens Scheme built on the 1998 Dumfries & Galloway Landscape Assessment and outlined 14 Local Landscape Areas these are detailed in the Landscape Character Assessment & Historic Environment Audit report but are summarised in the table below: Local Landscape Area Key Characteristics Corserine Summit ! ! Silver Flowe Uplands ! ! ! ! ! Clatteringshaws ! ! ! High, domed rocky plateau with sculpted glacial corries Forest on hill slopes and encroaching on corries, limited other human influence Deep U shaped valleys between high hills Forest or moor covered slopes rocky outcrops and screes higher up Rare bog and wetland habitats on narrow valley floor Some parts of valley floor are forested, including around Loch Dee Large reservoir encircled by rounded hills with forested slopes and open tops Dams and bridges as engineering structures Accessible via the A712, with recreational facilities including visitor centre, car park and walking trails ! Rugged hills with extensive forest plantations covering all but the tops of higher hills Raiders Road Forest drive Kells Foothills ! ! ! ! Rugged hills descending from the Rhinns of Kells ridge Extensive forest plantations Lochans in the corries Drystone walls of local stone Laurieston Foothills ! ! ! ! Rugged hills extending south from the Cairn Edward Uplands Extensive forest plantations Lochans between hills Disused railway and routes through hills Carsphairn valley section ! ! ! ! ! Sweeping U shaped glacial valley Moorland covered slopes with some forest areas Walled enclosures and sheep stells or fanks Wet valley floor Archaeological features Cairn Edward Uplands 35 ! ! Dundeugh valley section ! ! ! ! Kenmure valley section ! ! ! ! Narrow valley passing Dundeugh Hill Power infrastructure including a series of reservoirs, dams, weirs, power lines and power stations Mixed and coniferous woodland and scattered mature trees around lochs Drystone walled enclosures and sheep stells or fanks Broad valley with flat floodplain with improved pasture on the valley floor Riparian woodland along the meandering river, mixed and coniferous shelterbelts on the valley sides St John’s Town of Dalry and New Galloway settlements on valley sides Drumlin hills on east valley sides, with pastures and stone walls Kenmure Castle and archaeological features Wetlands on the valley floor around the head of Loch Ken Upper Loch Ken valley section ! ! ! Flooded transition from forested hills to drumlin lowland Distinctive character change across Loch Ken Undulating pasture on eastern side with mixed woodland and coniferous shelterbelts and beech trees Castle Douglas Drumlin Pastures ! ! ! Extensive drumlin field across low lying land Loch Ken as a flooded river with interlocking drumlin bays and islands Wall and hedge bounded undulating pasture fields, with woodlands and shelterbelts and distinctive tree clumps on drumlin tops Tongland valley section ! ! ! Drumlin lined valley with dammed river north of Tongland Pasture fields with hedges and walls and clumps of trees as shelterbelts Industrial elements including Tongland Power Station with associated dam, fish ladder, and pylon lines, as well as a former car factory and an active quarry ! Sheltered estuary with mudflats and rocky shores, and low undulating wooded hill horizon all round Focal points of St Mary’s Isle and Little Ross island Kirkcudbright Bay ! ! Mochrum Fell Upland Fringe ! ! ! Cairnsmore Uplands ! ! Higher elevation drumlin fields at the edge of the Ken valley, leading up to low moorland hills with forest areas and lochans Forest plantations can be extensive, and contrast with smaller woodlands that respond to field boundaries Wall and hedge bounded undulating upland pasture fields Rolling Upland Hills with high rounded summits and broad moorland ridges of large scale Steep incised valleys contain small watercourses, sometimes enclosed with plantations Extended areas of coniferous forests on lowland slopes; open grass or heather moor on high ridges These local landscape areas combine elements of landscape, biodiversity and cultural heritage to form unique ‘special qualities’. Often these areas will be subject to unique combinations of forces for change and opportunities. These are detailed in the attached Landscape Character Assessment and summarised in Chapter 6 ‘Forces for Change’. 36 3.7.4 Dark Sky Park The Dark Sky Park makes up around 85,000 hectares of the Galloway Forest Park and encompasses the core and buffer areas of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. The Dark Sky Park allows visitors to observe the night sky, acknowledging the lack of light pollution and the quality of the dark skies found locally. In 2009 the Dark Sky designation was awarded (one of the first in the UK) and since then thousands of people have been coming to look at the amazing night sky. It is beginning to be capitalised on by local businesses and highlighted as an attraction to visitors with the help of a Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger initiative that saw the training of local people to act as freelance rangers. To illustrate the lack of light pollution, the Dark Sky Park has a Sky Quality Meter (SQM) scale reading of 21 to 23.6. The SQM scale runs from 0 to 25 and, to put it in context, in the middle of a major city such as Glasgow or Edinburgh, you would get a reading of around 8, whereas a reading of 24 would be measured in a photographer's dark room. The Dark Sky Park has an interesting heritage context when one considers that the light people see today actually started its journey hundreds of years ago. For example, Betelgeuse, the red star in the top left of the constellation of Orion is 600 light years from Earth. Thus light from the star visible today emanated in the 1400s, just after Threave Castle was built. 3.7.5 Wild Land ‘Wild Land’ is an area defined by Scottish Natural Heritage as benefitting from a number of characteristics that combine to create a feeling of ‘wildness’. These wilder landscapes have a distinct and special character, which is “increasingly rare to find and distinguishes Scotland from much of the rest of the UK and many parts of Europe. A key component of Scotland's identity, they bring significant economic benefits, attracting visitors and tourists. Many people derive psychological and spiritual benefit from their existence, and they provide increasingly important havens for Scotland's wildlife” (SNH Website). There are currently only 42 ‘wild land areas’ (WLA) across Scotland, predominately in the North and West of the country, indeed only two are in Southern Scotland which makes the Merrick WLA area very significant locally. The Merrick WLA lies to the west of the Galloway Glens area, and overlaps over the Craignaw ridge. The WLA is made up of the highest mountains in the area, composed of open moor or exposed craggy peaks. The wild land area does not include forest plantations. The WLA is the largest remaining un-afforested area of upland in Galloway and contains three habitats of European interest: blanket bog, montane acid grasslands and wet heath. The wild land area description includes the rugged Craignaw ridge and the Silver Flowe, an extensive blanket bog lying within the Galloway Glens area, and is one of the least interrupted undisturbed mire systems in Europe. 37 3.7.6 Historic & Cultural Heritage The Scheme area contains a number of historic environment sites and areas with national and local authority designations: Scheduled Monuments 34 Inventory Gardens & Designed Landscapes 2 Properties in Care 2 Listed Buildings (category A) 27 Listed Buildings (category B) 218 Listed Buildings (category C) 190 Conservation Areas 2 non-Inventory Gardens & Designed Landscapes 29 Archaeologically Sensitive Areas 5 Areas of Archaeological Interest 235 The Historic Environment Audit, attached in the appendix, drew together physical evidence for human activity - including archaeological remains, artefacts, the built environment and bio-cultural heritage - with elements of intangible cultural heritage such as folklore and traditions. It has highlighted the chronological texture of the area's landscapes at different periods and some key themes which emerge from the evidence. The historic environment of the Galloway Glens area is rich for many periods, but especially so for the early medieval and medieval periods. Its unique characteristics create considerable potential to engage local people, attract research and stimulate conservation in order to enhance narratives about the past and present in the Galloway Glens. 3.7.7 Existing Management regime The whole Galloway Glens Scheme area falls within the Dumfries & Galloway Council administrative boundary. This supports a cohesive and joined up approach to landscape management. There are a number of governing policies and guidance that cover the Galloway Glens landscape, including: Document Author/Lead Local Development Plan Dumfries & Galloway Council Core Paths Plan Dumfries & Galloway Council Ken/Dee Catchment Management Plan SEPA Impact Adopted 2014, guides future use + development of land in town/villages and rural areas. Supported by supplementary guidance notes including Forestry & Wind Power developments. Adopted 2013, sets out the core path provision in the area and handles addition/removal from this plan. Adopted 2004, provides guidance for management of land in the catchment 38 Dumfries & Galloway Biodiversity Partnership Adopted 2009, identifies the priority habitats and species, coordinating protection activities. Dumfries & Galloway Council Adopted 2016, identifies the challenges and supports flood management efforts SEPA Adopted 2015, supports the implementation of Water Framework Directive requirements Scottish Forestry Strategy Forestry Commission Scotland Adopted 2006, provides an overview of the Forestry Sector’s strategy, aims and outcomes sought over the next 50 years. Regional Economic Strategy Dumfries & Galloway Council Adopted 2016, sets out vision and aims for the economy in 2020 Regional Tourism Strategy Dumfries & Galloway Council Adopted 2016, sets out the overall strategy for the tourism sector in the region. Wild Land Strategy Scottish Natural Heritage Consultation completed April 2017, guidance awaited State of the Environment Report Dumfries & Galloway Council Published January 2017, considers environmental aspects of Dumfries & Galloway’s environment Local Biodiversity Plan Local Flood Risk Management Plan – Solway Local Plan District River Basin Management Plan for Solway Tweed River Basin District These policies have all been considered and acknowledged in the design of the Galloway Glens Scheme to ensure efforts are supported and endorsed by the existing management regimes. Of particular pertinence to the Galloway Glens Scheme are the Core Paths Plan, the Local Flood Risk Management Plan and the Regional Tourism Strategy. 39 3.8 The River The Water of Ken flows from the hills above Carsphairn and joins the Blackwater of Dee just north of Parton. Downstream from there, it is known as the River Dee and flows southwards past Castle Douglas, through Tongland and into Kirkcudbright Bay. The river is more than 60 km from source to sea and consists of a range of habitats, from slow moving glides to tumbling rapids, hosting a range of species. It has played a highly significant role in the physical and cultural development of the valley. 3.8.1 Physical significance of river 3.8.1.1 Shaping the valley The river has eroded and shaped much of the surrounding valley. When the river was free to meander, it snaked across the valley, broadening its base and regular flood events carried nutrient rich sediments onto the surrounding land, supporting the establishment of agriculture and today giving the productive areas of the valley. CLATTERINGSHAWS c. Stuart Littlewood Flooding of the river is not a recent phenomenon. ‘Crockett and Grey Galloway’ by Malcom Harper, (Hodder and Stoughton, 1908) states: “Well, at the Lammas [a festival between 1 August and 1 September] tide, that is to say just as our hay was ready to be stacked, the Dee used to over-flow, and these Lammas floods were the terror of all the Deeside farmers. And though I was only a very little boy at the time, I can remember how often I was startled from my bed with a wild cry, in Scots, that the Dee was out, and about ; a wild cry to arms against disaster and ruin. How we all tumbled from our beds, and in the hastiest attire we rushed out into the night, under the light of the stars, or by the flickering torches, the old men, the women, the males, and even such children as I was, each to wrest from the waters some portion of the spoils ; for our hay meant the rent of the farm, the bread for the winter, the daily loaf for many days to come. "And into the water we went, and snatched all the hay that could be saved, and plunged, and groaned, and struggled in our fight for our bread against the disastrous waters. I can still see my uncles, breast high in the black flood, holding armfuls of rescued hay above the water, whilst my old grandfather, standing in the loaning of the farm-house, pointed with his stick into the night, and 40 guarded the bestowal of the salvage in shrill Scots. And so we plunged, and struggled, and saved, till after long hours of work we withdrew, dripping and triumphant, whilst the defeated Dee rolled on placidly into Grennoch [now Woodhall loch] , under the pale light and the stars." This description will be familiar to farmers along the banks of the Dee even today. 3.8.1.2 A place to call home The river forms an important habitat, supporting a wide range of species and also acts as a corridor for the movement of many plants and animals, linking fragmented habitats. Even species such as Red Squirrels, bats and birds use riparian woodland to move up and down the valley. The river has also acted as a barrier and protection, at Ken-Dee Marshes nature reserve, the Willow Tit benefits to this day from the presence of undisturbed wet woodland. Fish populations were of great repute in the 19th Century, with the river famed for its Salmon population historically. Freshwater Pearl Mussels, which spend their early stages attached to Salmonid fish, were also once abundant. In the D&G Natural History & Antiquarian Society’ Transactions and Journal of Proceedings’, James Johnson stated, “Mr Bridger informs me that on the moors above New-Galloway station, at a place called Barns Water, he took them out by the pailful, but, strange to say, with few pearls, although below this on Slogarie and Banks of Dee pearls are abundant.” There is a story that in the 1930s a gentleman tramp called 'Moses' would earn money by wading into the Dee near Glenlochar and collecting freshwater mussels which he would open on the bank. If he found a pearl in one he would take it to Ewing's the Jewellers in Castle Douglas, where Mr Ewing would buy it from him. Pearls were collected from river until the 1950s. RIVER DEE PEARL c. Alistair Livingston Perhaps as a result of the healthy fish populations, the river has always supported a strong otter population, even when this species was driven to extinction in many other parts of Britain. The southern end of the Galloway Glens, at Kirkcudbright Bay and the Solway Firth, is a haven for wildlife, particularly for migratory birds. The river has directly supported human habitation of the valley in many ways, including provision of water for drinking and the removal of human waste products. Water quality has been a recurring issue over the years, with recent issues such as diffuse pollution sources from agriculture and acidification challenging water standards set by the European Union and the Scottish Government. 41 3.8.2 Cultural significance of river 3.8.2.1 Early Humans When humans first arrived in the area, the river would have dominated the valley even more so than now, forming the most reliable and safest means of travel and communication, as well as a dependable water source. It would have guided initial visits to and travel around the area and the impact it had on settlement location is still being understood. 3.8.2.2 Settlement As agricultural practices were adopted and humans began to settle, the river will have continued to be used for transport, drinking water and food and removal of waste. Communications and news would have travelled up the river, favouring people nearest the banks. Local place names are often a good method to capture the historic settlement activity and the Galloway Glens Area shows a unique selection of Gaelic, Norse, Manx and Breton names. The river’s use as a transport corridor has varied from informal use by individuals to more formal, strategic transport efforts. The latter included the movement of marl, believed to transform poor soil into an agricultural bonanza, dug from the Carlingwark Loch. Transport was aided by the construction of the Carlingwark Canal in 1765, now an overgrown channel between the River Dee and the Loch, and plans were drawn up for a more extensive canal network, only a fraction of which was ever built. Before the industrial revolution, water was one of the most reliable and dependable sources of energy to be harnessed. A number of corn and textile mills, with small dams, lades and millponds, were constructed along tributaries of the river, such as at Grennan, Ironmaccanie, Shirmers and Kelton. 3.8.2.3 Defence The relationship between strongholds and the river is striking. Kenmure Castle, near New Galloway has been the seat of the Gordon family since the 13th Century and stands on a partly natural mound by the Ken which may have been first used for defence in the early Middle Ages (i.e. 400-900AD). It is said that islands such as Threave and Burned Island were home to the rulers of Galloway 1,000 years ago, with their position in the River Dee providing an excellent defensive position. Threave Castle, one of the most well-known and visited attractions in the area, was built in 1369 and still stands on Threave island today. 42 GLENLOCHAR BRIDGE with Hydro Scheme Barrage in background 3.8.2.4 Crossing the River With the development of different transportation methods, the building of formal roads and then ultimately rail, the need to safely bridge the river became an important driver of settlement location and layout. The resulting bridges also becoming important features in the local landscape. These includes Glenlochar Bridge, which adjoins a large Roman camp, built beside the former crossing point of the river. Examples of other river crossings include the current Ken Bridge, built by John Rennie in 1821. This is actually the third bridge on the site in modern times. The first was destroyed by a flood in 1806, and the second bridge was never completed as it was destroyed by a flood while still being built in 1815. The bridge has given its name to the neighbouring hotel and is a prominent landmark locally. The Bridge of Dee is a village near A75 trunk road and takes its name from bridging activity over the years, both road and rail crossings. Tongland Bridge was opened in 1808, designed by the world famous engineer Thomas Telford. Telford was actually born in nearby Langholm and unsuccessfully bid for the Ken Bridge construction. Shrouded by trees to the West, this bridge is the first to benefit from weight-saving hollow ribbed spandrels instead of a solid masonry arch. This bridge, with the neighbouring remains of the Old Tongland Bridge is held in great affection by local residents. Balmaghie Church and Crossmichael Church look across the Dee at each other and a ferry crossing used to exist here to allow the priest to travel between the two congregations. Loch Ken Viaduct is the only curved viaduct of its type remaining in Scotland. A listed local landmark, it used to carry the train across the Loch on the Carlisle to Stranraer ‘Paddy’ line and is thought to be the inspiration for John Buchan’s novel, 39 Steps. Underneath the viaduct, the Boat O’Rhone ferry used to carry pedestrians and cars, operating until the 1960s. The abandoned ferry is still visible on the western bank by the viaduct. The river’s use for transport is perfectly captured in Andrew Symson’s ‘A Large Description of Galloway’ (Written 1682, first published in Edinburgh 1823): 43 “above the said island of the Threave, this river is a deep loch, which loch extends itselfe into the river of Kenn, and reaches as far as the Castle of Kenmuir, so that the Vicecount of Kenmuir may easily transport himselfe and furniture by boat from his Castle of Kenmuir, in the parish of the Kells, to another residence of his in the parish of Corsemichael, called the Greenlaw, lying on the east side of Dee; yea, so neer to it, that sometime the inundation of the river comes into his cellars and lower roomes. The distance betwixt the saids two houses of Kenmuir and Greenlaw, which is also the length of the said loch, will be about eight miles.” 3.8.2.5 Fishing To access the plentiful bounty of fish in the river and surrounding coastline, and to receive boats, human settlement took place around the river, often as close as it could be while acknowledging the regular risk of flooding. Local fishing practices such as Haaf netting took place on estuaries across the Solway. The river’s regular flow allowed the estuary to be navigable and hence Kirkcudbright to flourish as a fishing port. The first record of shipping belonging to Kirkcudbright dates to 1236 when one Erkin of Kirkcudbright was given official permission to sail to Ireland to trade for corn. In the 14th 16th centuries records show trade with Ireland, France & Spain. Wool, woollen cloth and hides exported, and wine and iron imported. As the nearest port in Scotland for merchants from France and Spain, the port prospered to rank 6th in Scotland in terms of its customs value. In 1455 the town became a Royal Burgh, with rights of self-government, and, most important of all, the right to conduct international trade through its port. The records of the burgh survive from 1576, and the very first record concerns a dispute about a cargo of timber to Brittany. John Paul Jones, the founder of the American Navy, landed in Kirkcudbright bay with the intention of kidnapping the Earl of Selkirk illustrating the positive and negative aspects to having such an accessible landing point. WOODHALL LOCH| View South c. Stuart Littlewood Kirkcudbright now has a thriving fishing harbour, constructed in 1911, with boats tying up right in the centre of the town. It's a working harbour, with its own fish packing business. When the fleet is in, the boats moor two deep at the harbour quay, and the fishermen drink at the Steam Packet Hotel (www.ports.org.uk). It is understood to be one of the busiest fishing ports for landings of king and queen scallops in the United Kingdom, with the second highest annual catch, by value, in Scotland. 44 3.8.2.6 Religion, Mythology and Folklore GALLOWAY HILLS | Near Meikle Millyea c. S.Littlewood Rivers have always been significant for mythology and folklore, considered the method of travel for spirits and to provide healing benefits in their own right. There are a number of local wells and springs connected to the river, including the Green Well of Scotland near Carsphairn, which were said to possess healing and alchemy properties. The river and the variation in habitats supported and continues to support a wide range of plants and other ingredients for home remedies and applications. Rowan and Aspen trees are still found in the area, although they used to be more common. They have a number of folklore applications. It used to be thought in Galloway that witches would prevent curds from setting when making butter and so butter making implements were made from Rowan – a tree hated by witches. There are a number of Galloway Aspen clones, unique to the Galloway Glens area. Aspen was understood to have supernatural properties and protect the wearer – it was therefore often used to make armour and shields. Wood from the Aspen tree is also exceptionally buoyant and therefore had a number of river related uses, including making paddles and oars. 3.9 The Galloway Hydro Scheme 3.9.1 Background In the 20th century, one of the greatest landscape changes for the Galloway Glens was the harnessing of water for the production of electricity. At the beginning of the century, electricity in the United Kingdom was provided through a series of small, regional power supply networks. The creation of the Central Electricity Board in 1926 aimed to improve the inefficient and often inconsistent supply of electricity. This allowed for the first time engineers to consider electricity on a national scale and make use of generating opportunities, irrespective of their proximity to energy demand. 3.9.2 Why here? The Galloway region, with high rainfall, glacially carved steep valleys, areas of marginal farmland and a low population lent itself well to Hydro Scheme development. The Galloway Hydro Scheme, built in the 1930s, sought to capture the energy of the water drawn from the River Ken, River Dee and River 45 Doon through reservoirs at Loch Doon, Kendoon, Carsfad, Clatteringshaws, and Tongland. Watercourses were dammed to create reservoirs, tunnels and penstocks were built to carry the water to power stations located in several places down the valley. A network of electricity transmission lines was introduced to carry the power away. The Galloway Hydro Scheme was the first large-scale, integrated hydro-electric complex to be built in Britain for the purpose of public energy supply. Each drop of water can generate electricity up to five times as it flows down the valley. 3.9.3 Construction HYDRO SCHEME DAM CONSTRUCTION | Photos from “the Hydro-Electric scheme of the Galloway Water Power Company” (‘engineering’ journal, ref. G(621.3)f) 1934, courtesy Dumfries & Galloway Council Archives & Records The infrastructure includes dams, pipes and channels, and power stations that were built in the modernist architectural style, designed by Scottish civil engineer, Sir Alexander Gibb. At peak of construction, 1,500 workers were involved in the Scheme’s construction. Such was the nature of the economic depression at the time, people travelled from all over Scotland to work on the Hydro Scheme, work that cost overall today’s equivalent of £36m to undertake. Several men lost their lives during construction, acknowledged today with a memorial plaque near Glenlee Power Station. During World War 2 the power stations – normally painted cream – were disguised in camouflage colours in a successful bid to prevent them being spotted and bombed by enemy aircraft. 46 Although today they are an integral part of the Galloway landscape, and the power station buildings are largely valued and indeed listed, early reactions were not always positive. Local Poet, W.G.M. Dobie wrote at the time: “A raider comes today who kills The glories of our glens and hills With unheroic acts and bills and "Private Legislation" The Company promoters pen Will dam the Deugh and dam the Ken and dam the Dee - oh dam the men Who plan such desecration!” The Galloway Hydro Scheme was ground-breaking in many ways. A number of other schemes were explored at the time, including on the Fleet and the Urr, but never built. 3.9.4 The Hydro Scheme today The reservoirs have created several large or small waterbodies in the area, which are now enjoyed for their scenic and recreational value, the power stations and dams have become hidden in trees and form less prominent buildings than they would have been, and the transmission lines have become part of the fabric of the landscape. The overall scheme, including Loch Doon and Drumjohn power station in Ayrshire has a maximum capacity of 109 MW and is a significant national contributor of clean, renewable energy. Recent flooding events have caused much review of the hydro scheme, with a number of reports advising that the impact of flood events has been mitigated by the presence of the Galloway Hydro Scheme which is able to accommodate larger amounts of in-stream water, releasing it over a longer period and ‘blunting the impact of a sharp rainfall event. The Hydro Scheme today is operated by Scottish Power, a member of the Galloway Glens Scheme’s Partnership Board. 47 3.10 Access in and around the Area 3.10.1 Roads Road routes are the main routes along which local people and visitors experience the Galloway Glens area. These routes follow the passes through higher ground and form a network on readily accessible terrain. The main routes tend to be north-south following the valley sides, with generally smaller roads connecting east-west, except for the A75 trunk road that runs across the southern part of the area. Historical access routes are often very similar to modern day equivalents. Elements of the historic environment show how, where and why people have moved around the area since earliest times - from Mesolithic routeways through the uplands and along valleys, to Roman and Hanoverian military roads built to control the region, to a medieval pilgrimage bringing the faithful to Whithorn and post-medieval drove roads that brought cattle from the Carrick to the Stewartry. Some of the roads have been highlighted as visitor routes, such as ‘the Galloway Tourist Route to Ayr’ which runs down the A713 to Castle Douglas and the A745 beyond to Dalbeattie. The Biosphere recently designated its third ‘Biosphere trail’ the Loch Ken & River Dee Trail, which runs from Threave Castle through Glenlochar, Mossdale, New Galloway and back via the A713 to Castle Douglas. 3.10.2 Trails The National Cycle Route 7 runs through the south of the Galloway Glens area, along an old military road south of the A75 east of Castle Douglas, through Castle Douglas to Gelston and then along the B727 to Kirkcudbright before continuing west from Kirkcudbright Bay. The Southern Upland Way is a popular long distance walking route from the west coast on the Mull of Galloway to the east coast at Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders. The Southern Upland Way passes through the Galloway Glens from Glen Trool to Clatteringshaws Loch, on to New Galloway, St John’s Town of Dalry and north over Benbrack towards Sanquhar. Water routes include rivers, streams and lochs following the topography. These water routes form wildlife corridors through the area, but are not usual routes along which people now travel, POLMADDY WALK SIGN except for riverside paths or recreational users on the lochs. There are opportunities for recreation in the Galloway Glens area, including the Galloway Forest Park, which is accessible for walking, cycling and crossed by the Raiders Road forest drive. An example of a recent and successful new initiative is the Red Kite Trail, a driving route with a number of waypoints around the Galloway Glens area. 48 3.11 How it looks today 3.11.1 On the surface Both the geology and the chemical composition of the bedrocks and superficial deposits influence the types of soils that formed above them. Thin, less fertile, acidic soils have formed on high igneous rocks that have been scraped by the glaciers, and richer soils occur on areas of deep deposits and sedimentary rocks. The types of soils have in turn influenced the vegetation, and the variety of habitats and agricultural capacity, which in turn influenced where early people went to hunt or to start cultivating crops, and where open moorland contrasts with intensive agriculture today. Open moorland dominates the high mountains on these thin soils, and commercial forests have been planted on many of the high slopes and lower uplands, interspersed with water bodies, both natural and managed through the hydro scheme. As such, the Galloway Forests form one of the most extensive areas of forest in the UK. 3.11.2 Agriculture Today, the landscape of the Galloway Glens area is still dominated by agricultural practices, and there is a strong presence of the hydro-electric scheme that runs through the area. Traditional farming of sheep and hardy cattle is carried out on the higher upland areas, while much of the lower areas are improved pasture lands over the more fertile soils on the drumlins. A few areas are under arable farming or ley pasture. Open moorland dominates the higher moors and hills, with extensive commercial forests planted on the slopes. Fields are bounded by walls, or a mixture of walls and hedges, with occasional modern fence lines. Walls are made up of local rocks In the south, walls are generally built of flat chunky rocks which have been split into relatively regular shapes which make sound, tidy walls. Further north, walls are built of more irregular boulders. Boundaries show varied levels of maintenance, with fallen walls with fences used as replacements. The area’s agricultural heritage and contemporary processes continue to contribute significantly to the sense of community. Factors such as the location of markets dictate associated services and support industries. Castle Douglas’ recent dominance of the local livestock market continues to attract farmers in the north of the area to the Castle Douglas Market today, providing one of the few opportunities for upland farmers to meet others, either for business or socially. The Butcher’s home delivery van used to operate a route which CASTLE DOUGLAS FROM THE AIR | a planned settlement 49 started in Castle Douglas and didn’t reach some areas around Carsphairn until late in the evening (known as ‘The Midnight Butcher’s run’). These agricultural ‘hubs’ influence the relationships made and therefor contribute to the sense of community and, in turn, how landscape is perceived. 3.11.3 Settlements Settlements have expanded from their historic cores, to include more recent suburban housing estates which often adopt cul-de-sac arrangements and ‘off the shelf’ housing designs. There are relatively few industrial areas such as business parks around settlements, although some areas have had an industrial past, for example around Tongland. Many country estates with designed landscapes are situated in the Galloway Glens area, giving an ‘estate’ character to parts of the landscape, with policy woodlands and shelterbelts. Twenty-nine of these are identified as gardens and designed landscapes by the Council, although only two are listed on the Historic Environment Scotland inventory. 3.11.4 Significance of the local landscape Chapter 5 ‘Statement of Significance’ aims to draw together these tangible and intangible landscape features into an overview of the defining characteristics of the local landscape in its broadest possible sense. LOCH GRANNOCH c.Peter Norman 50 4.1 Background 4.1.1 Initial proposal The initial concept for the Landscape Partnership area was the catchment of the River Ken/River Dee running into Kirkcudbright Bay. This was driven by the water-based project ideas and the influence that the river has on the local landscape, connecting and dictating landscape character. However, this area, at over 1050sq km, was found to be too large for the HLF Landscape Partnership programme, and therefore needed to be reduced. 4.1.2 Amends made The following changes were made before the Stage One submission: • The north-eastern section of the area was reduced to the visual and/or landscape character boundary based on SNH 1998 landscape character type ‘Upper Dale’; • The catchment around Loch Grannoch was reduced to the shores of the loch; • The south-eastern boundary below Bengairn was reduced to the landscape character boundary below the ‘Coastal Granite Uplands’; • The water catchment of the Tarff Water that joins the Ken below Tongland Bridge was removed; • Kirkcudbright Bay was included using a line set c.100m inland of the shore (high tide). This provided the Partnership Scheme with an initial area of approximately 600km2. This made up the content of the stage one application to HLF and was used to direct discussion through the Development phase. 4.2 The Development Phase Through this project, the character of the landscape has been considered in more detail than for the regional scale characterisation carried out for SNH in 1998, and some of the character area boundaries (transitions) have been adjusted. The Landscape Character Assessment study was guided by a steering group including D&G Council’s Landscape Architect, D&G Council’s Archaeologist, D&G Council’s Scenic Areas Officer and a representative from Historic Environment Scotland. A key part of this study was to consider the landscape boundary and all parties were keen that to ensure this was a genuinely iterative process. Initial drafts of the Landscape Character Assessment, drawing upon fieldwork, desk top analysis, broader data sets and community consultation activity highlighted a number of suggested amendments to the Scheme boundary. 51 KIRKCUDBRIGHT HARBOUR The suggested amends were as follows: 4.2.1 Kirkcudbright Bay To include Kirkcudbright Bay, it is important to include the hills that surround the bay and form the backdrop to the water. These do not extend far inland, up to 1km, but it is not logical to take a 100m wide strip, which would include only part of the shoreline woods, and would run only part way up the view. It was recommended therefore that the inland edge be re-drawn to include the slopes running down to the sea, using field or woodland boundaries as readily perceptible on the ground. 4.2.2 The Western Boundary RHINNS OF KELLS The Rhinns of Kells forms a strong visual boundary, with the Silver Flowe valley behind this ridge. 52 The catchment of the Blackwater of Dee to the west includes the valley upstream (west) of Loch Grannoch, drained by the Cuttiemore Burn, below Millfore Hill. Minor amendments are proposed which reflect the manual digitisation of the initial catchment boundary, correcting some minor inaccuracies. It was therefore recommended that if the catchment area is to be followed on the western side, the Cuttiemore Burn valley should be included. The boundary should be corrected to the ridge tops, following fence or wall lines where these exist. 4.2.3 The North-Eastern Boundary / Cairnsmore of Carsphairn: The feedback from community consultation at Dalry and Carsphairn included comments that the area should extend to the catchment to the north-east, i.e. to include the upper reaches of the Water of Deuch and Water of Ken down from Enoch Hill, Struther’s Brae, Alwhat, Polkeoch and Benbrack. This was due to a number of reasons, including the dominance of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn as a backdrop to the local landscape, the similarity of the historic environment record data and the overall significance of retaining the watershed as the landscape boundary. It was particularly considered important to include Cairnsmore of Carsphairn and Beninner, as these hills form prominent landmarks and the backdrop in views of the northern part of the Galloway Glens, and are the visual horizon that is an essential part of the northern Glenkens. Projects proposed in the delivery phase include the Natural Flood Management facilitation Project around Carsphairn, endorsing this case for inclusion further. 4.2.4 Outcome of review The landscape, as perceived by the people of the area, was a vital consideration in the steering group discussion. There are a number of contributing factors, outlined in Chapter 3 ‘The Landscape of the Galloway Glens’ as to why the Galloway Glens is perceived as a coherent and cohesive landscape, using a mixture of natural and cultural heritage factors. Following detailed discussion, the case for the three variations cited above was felt to be so strong that they should be adopted. The steering group acknowledged that this did slightly increase the area under consideration by the scheme to approximately 678 km2 (an increase of approximately 8%) but the resulting landscape case was felt to benefit from the greater coherence that it offered. It was also important to reflect the study work undertaken with inputs from the local community and professional bodies. These points were considered by the Partnership Board, who endorsed the recommendation of the steering group. The Partnership Board agreed that this was the boundary recognised by the local community and also acknowledged the visual and hydrological factors that meant it better represented ‘the local landscape’. The Partnership Board acknowledged the challenges that a larger landscape brought but felt, mindful of the relatively low population density, the project under consideration and the cohesive nature of the valley, this was manageable and would remain under review to ensure the scheme retained coherence and focus. 53 4.3 Overview The Boundary discussions and considerations are included in more detail in the Landscape Character Assessment & Historic Environment Audit report. The following map indicates the Development phase scheme boundary (in blue) and the proposed Delivery stage boundary (in green). 54 5.1 Background The studies undertaken through the Development phase, coupled with feedback from consultation efforts, has given the Galloway Glens Scheme a really good understanding of the local landscape in its broadest sense. The Galloway Glens project area is a unique juxtaposition of landscape types, resulting from both natural and human influences. Habitats and landforms vary from the pristine bogs and wild lands to the heavily managed forests, river valley and urban areas. This mixture of ‘natural’ and ‘managed’ brings its own range of challenges to overcome, but has inspired generations of visitors and residents. Formal designations abound in the Scheme area and this section of the document seeks to build on the findings of Chapter 3 ‘The Landscape of the Galloway Glens’ and clarify how these formal designations of value combine with the less tangible qualities of the area to make a unique landscape with international significance. 5.2 Formal Designations of Significance 5.2.1 Landscape AERIAL VIEW | Looking West towards Loch Ken The local landscape is characterised by the juxtaposition of different landscape character types and how they relate to the common thread of the river. Upper areas are characterised by slow moving water, through peatland such as Silver Flowe and on moorland. As the river progresses down the valley, it starts to influence the landscape more through the low and wide valley, formerly floodplain. 55 The Hydro Scheme, while a relatively contemporary installation, has had a significant influence on this ‘landscape of power’ – visible not only through the dams, turbine houses and reservoirs themselves, but also the associated support infrastructure including pylons and substations. A number of formal designations highlight the significance of the local landscape, including the Galloway Hills and Solway Coast Regional Scenic Areas, Wild Land areas and the Galloway Forest Park, the largest Forestry Park in Scotland. The Galloway Dark Sky Park, designated in 2009 officially recognised the quality of the dark skies in the area, with particularly dark parts focussed around the Galloway Forest Park. 5.2.2 Natural Heritage 5.2.2.1 Species The Galloway Glens’ location on a common migratory route, in close proximity to the Solway Firth, means the area has an enviable resident and transitory population of birds and other species, as well as a notably broad population of resident species and habitats, often based on or around the river itself. ‘Flagship’ local species include Red Squirrels, Red Kites, invertebrates and numerous fish species including Salmon and Pike. Certain Invasive Species have also come to define the natural heritage of the area. Loch Ken and the Lower Dee were one of the first places in Scotland to record a population of American Signal Crayfish. The crayfish has been the subject of much media interest and discussion over recent years with concerns raised about impact on fish species in the loch and the effect on the surrounding ecosystem. 5.2.2.2 Habitats The area includes Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Ancient Woodlands and a whole suite of designations that highlight the importance of the natural heritage. These are detailed in the Landscape Character Assessment & Historic Environment Audit report in the appendix but might be best encapsulated by the ‘Loch Ken & River Dee Marshes’ RAMSAR site. The United Kingdom only has 174 RAMSAR sites, with the ‘Loch Ken & River Dee Marshes’ supporting “internationally important roosting numbers of Greenland white-fronted geese and Icelandic greylag geese. There are four nationally important aquatic plants and three nationally important aquatic invertebrates found within the wetland complex. The site is a diverse and complex water system with opportunities for environmental education and research.” 5.2.2.3 Ecosystem The species and habitats combine to create the Galloway Glens Ecosystem and it is important to consider the broader ecosystem and the ‘ecosystem services’ provided. An ‘ecosystem services’ approach 56 is a relatively recent concept, defined as “a framework for looking at whole ecosystems in decision making, and for valuing the ecosystem services they provide, to ensure that society can maintain a healthy and resilient natural environment now and for future generations.” (www.gov.uk) The Galloway Glens area is fortunate to make up part of the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere (‘the Biosphere’), an organisation aiming to encourage this ecosystem services approach to decision making and acting as a national exemplar of this methodology. The Biosphere, the first of its type in Scotland, was designated by UNESCO in 2012. The designation of the Biosphere was the culmination of a number of years of work by a range of partner agencies trying to capture the significance of the natural heritage and the relationship between people and the environment in this area. As such it aligns extremely well with the aims and vision of the Galloway Glens Scheme. 5.2.3 Cultural Heritage The historic environment of the study area is rich for many periods, but especially rich for the early medieval and medieval periods. The historic environment record for the study area contains 3,342 entries, some of which are also listed buildings and scheduled monuments. Full details are in the Landscape Character Assessment & Historic Environment Audit in the Appendix but about half are post-medieval or early modern to modern and just under a third are late to post medieval; the remainder are prehistoric, Roman or early medieval to medieval. The formal designations indicate the significance of the cultural heritage to the local landscape. This could be illustrated by so many examples but High Cornarroch cairn is a great illustration. High Cornarroch, a Neolithic Long Cairn on the Silver Flowe was only discovered in 2012. The Canmore entry states: “This possible long cairn, survives in a poor state of preservation. Three large upright stones form the forecourt facade and a spread of stones, including kerbing indicates the original extent of the monument. POLMADDY SETTLEMENT | Corn Kiln c. Andrew Nicholson The cairn is situated in a commanding position at a relatively high altitude (c.220m), and appears to exist in isolation”. This may be one of the earliest burial monuments in Scotland and the choice of site location, very close to the source of the Dee is still under discussion. The Historic Environment Record for the area is of international significance, not only in terms of quantity but also quality of entries. HILL CROSS | Holm-of-Daltallochan-cross c. Andrew Nicholson 57 5.2.4 Summary of Formal Designations The Galloway Glens area forms part of a number of formally designated areas of natural or cultural interest. These combine to create a unique environment of heritage assets, habitats and species that are deemed to be of regional, national or international significance. These designations are summarised in the following figure 58 5.3 Informal interpretations of Significance Throughout the Scheme’s Development stage, considered landscape in its broadest possible sense. Reviewing the outputs of the consultation and distilling the work undertaken through the studies commissioned, a number of landscape influences become clear. When combined, these contribute to the unique landscape of the Galloway Glens area and will be at the fore-front of the Delivery stage of the Scheme. 5.3.1 ‘A Landscape of Energy’ From early efforts to harness the river to power mills, through the construction of the Hydro Scheme, to more recent developments such as the renewables revolution including wind energy and biomass, the local landscape has always sought to capture energy. The Hydro Scheme is a common thread through the area, with the associated pylons built to distribute the electricity generated. It is a contemporary story but one of the most tangible for residents and visitors, giving the area a unique feel. It is notable that the Hydro Scheme, like a number of new developments was not universally welcomed initially but as the area has adjusted to align with the changed landscape; a tangible sense of pride has arisen for the scheme, its significance in history, its associated buildings and even the contribution of electricity. 5.3.2 ‘Not as ‘Natural’ as it seems At first glance to visitors or people new to the area, the natural heritage can be seen as untouched and completely natural, but actually the Galloway Glens area is largely a controlled and modified landscape. It is subject to: • local influences – such as the decisions of landowners, • national influences – such as forestry & agricultural policies and invasive species, and • global influences – such as climate change and increasing flood events. Water levels throughout the area are tightly managed through the Hydro Scheme, with water levels depending in part on the energy demands and electricity market. The agriculturally productive areas of the Lower Dee, around Kirkcudbright and up to Castle Douglas, are intensively farmed and subject to agricultural policies and subsidy regimes. Similarly, forestry policies and regimes influence the forested areas in the upper reaches of the valley. 5.3.3 “All roads lead through Galloway” The proximity of the sea and relatively simple accessibility by land from Scotland’s Central belt, England and Ireland means Galloway today has been shaped by a range of outside influences, either passing through or settling in the area. The Historic Environment Audit draws these out in more detail, advising “how Galloway sat at the crossroads in a thoroughly connected and extensive world in the late 1st millennium AD.” It is striking that Galloway has objects of interest from virtually every recognised era and period through history. MILE PLATE c. Stuart Littlewood 59 This constant series of influences GLENLOCHAR ROMAN FORTS & CAMPS c. Andrew Nicholson have left their unique mark on the area, each providing an influence on the landscape either physically or how it is perceived and valued by residents and visitors to the area. Examples include: • the Roman remains at Glenlochar fort • the recent discovery of the Galloway Viking Hoard near Balmaghie, along with other finds of Pottery fragments found originating from the Middle East and Norman artefacts • the use of Gaelic, Norse and Bretonic place names, such as Carsphairn (Cars fearna – “The Low Ground where Alders grow”), The common use of ‘Kirk’ in Kirkcudbright, and Threave, thought to derive from the Breton ‘Trev’ meaning homestead. The Natural Heritage also picks up this theme of transit through the area, evident through the large numbers of migratory and transitory species such as Greenland White Fronted Geese and Salmon. 5.3.4 Arrivals & Departure Separate to this notion of ‘transit through the area’, the arrival and then departure of residents is also a common theme, both in a broader picture and when considering individuals. A feature of the area is the departure of younger people, often returning either later in their working life or for retirement. The need to both depart and then return has been a common story, and contributes towards the number of large houses and country estates, such as Threave House, which was built using funds raised elsewhere. It is also striking that many of the famous residents in the area often travelled away for portions of their life, such as James Clerk Maxwell, who retired near Parton, or S.R. Crockett who grew up in the area but based a number of his books on his travels. This is also evidenced in microcosm by 3 neighbouring families from the Glenkens (John Kennedy, James McConnel, Adam and George Murray) who left the area to move to Manchester during the industrial revolution. They made their fortunes in the Cotton industry and ultimately moved back to the Glenkens – even buying the estates of the people for whom their families had previously worked (‘To Grasp an Opportunity’, William Kennedy, Shieldquest 2016). A significant portion of the area’s wealth, both now and through history, was earned elsewhere, and was therefore dependant on departure from the area. However, the draw to return is strong and this has influenced a whole range of landscape styles and drawn in external influences on architecture, land management and landscape design. 60 5.3.5 An embattled landscape The area's complex history during the medieval period is one of political and military tumult and shifting loyalties against a relatively consistent backdrop of strong Galwegian identity. Through the medieval period, the Galwegian lordship manoeuvred carefully to keep neighbouring political heavyweights at a respectful distance. The area developed a significant reputation due to its martial culture and as ‘a reservoir of military man-power’. The distance of the area from the population centres and relative crowns meant a strong element of independence existed and it was efforts to overcome this that required such a THREAVE CASTLE dominant series of strongholds to be built. These have influence upon the local landscape even today, dictating settlement patterns, designed landscapes and landforms and on a contemporary basis supporting visitor attractions and amenities. This is embodied by Threave Castle, as well as a number of identified Mottes and other fortified houses such as Earlstoun and Kenmure Castle, which give a visitor to the area the feeling of an embattled landscape. 5.3.6 Religion and Resistance Churches (or ‘kirks’) are a dominant feature in the local landscape, and religion has played a significant part in the area’s history. As recently as 1980, Balmaghie parish built a Church Hall to handle congregation activities. A mere 30 years later the Church and Church Hall have been closed and are for sale due to dwindling congregations. This lack of religious observance is not a trend unique to the Galloway Glens Area but it is particularly notable due to the significance the religious buildings and structures have in the area. Increasingly the religious buildings are being converted into residential properties and remaining churches are hosting fewer services. The decline of formalised religion locally is even more significant when set against the historical background of religious debate, activism and DALRY CHURCH c. Stuart Littlewood 61 even conflict. The Galloway Glens played a vital role in the history of the Covenanters and the subsequent ‘Killing Times’. The ‘Pentland Rising’, named after the location of the final battle, is sometimes referred to locally as ‘The Dalry Rising’, as it was here that it started in 1666. Resistance was not just on matters of religion. The ‘Galloway Levellers’ sought to resist the process of agricultural improvement and the reduction in manpower requirements. Their activity peaked in the 1720s and formed part of the broader ‘lowland clearances’ period. A number of local landscape features relate to this time, including the Kelton Dyke which was saved from demolition by the action of the local minister who was able to negotiate with the levellers. All of these factors contribute towards the unique and significant religious and resistance aspect of the landscape, visible through physical structures, such as the Covenanter graves, but also through the more intangible qualities of the area and the passions and interests of its people. 5.3.7 Inspiration – ‘light and dark’ Many literary figures have been inspired by the Galloway Glens Area, including Robert Burns, who reputedly based ‘Tam o’ Shanter’ on the landscape around Dalry. In July 1793 Robert Burns stayed with William Gordon’s grandson John at Kenmure Castle for three days, then sailing down Loch Ken to Airds of Kells before travelling through the hills to Kirkcudbright via Gatehouse of Fleet. A thunderstorm broke out, inspiring Burns to compose the first part of ’Scots Wha Hae’, which he completed on his return to Dumfries after his journey through the Galloway Glens. ‘TOWN PARK, NEW GALLOWAY’ James Faed Jnr John Buchan based his novel 39 Steps on the railway line running from Castle Douglas to Gatehouse, and S.R.Crockett’s book ‘The Raiders’ has given the ‘Raiders Road’ name to the forestry drive between Mossdale and New Galloway. 62 The area has inspired key scientists, including the afore-mentioned James Clerk Maxwell, who was the first person to formally recognise that electricity, magnetism and light were manifestations of the same phenomenon. Scotland’s first hydro-electric scheme was built here. Some of Scotland’s earliest agricultural improvements were made nearby, including the controlled breeding of Galloway cattle, the invention of deep ploughs that could plough through peatland, and the pioneering ways to grow conifer trees on peaty moorlands. As well as inspiring scientists, artists flocked to the Kirkcudbright area from the 1880s onwards to ‘Barnacles and Greylag Geese Ken Valley towards Rhins of Kells (1987)’ c.Donald Watson form the Kirkcudbright Artist’s Colony. This happened for a number of reasons but particularly the natural light which was felt to be most conducive to creating great artwork. There was a close association with the ‘Glasgow Boys’ phenomenon, and many of the country’s leading figures were inspired by the area, including E A Hornel, William Mouncey, Charles Oppenheimer, Jessie M King, E A Taylor and S J Peploe. These artists and craftspeople produced an extensive body of work.. The attraction in the 19-20th centuries due to the quality of the light is an interesting juxtaposition to the more recent acknowledgement of the quality of the darkness in the area. The Dark Sky Park recognises this, providing nationally important opportunities for astro viewing and photography. The lack of local light pollution is in part due to the formal designations. It was the quality of the light that drew people to the area previously and now it is the quality of the darkness. 63 5.4 Pulling these themes together The Galloway Glens Scheme is based on a river valley with a number of unique features that are obvious even to a visitor, such as the Galloway Hydro Scheme, the influence of the river and the wild and remote areas of the Galloway Forest Park. These immediate observations are complemented by a unique range of formal designations covering the natural and cultural Heritage of the area. In addition, the Galloway Glens Scheme has, through the Development phase, worked with the people of the area to try to capture the intangible qualities of the local landscape. These might not be immediately obvious to a visitor but are known to residents. It is the combination of these considerations that form this unique landscape and evidence the significance of the local area. The Landscape Partnership should respect and work with these unique characteristics throughout the Delivery stage to leave all aspects of landscape better protected, better understood and better able to accommodate change into the future. A Greenland White-Fronted Goose c.Angus Hogg 64 A LANDSCAPE OF POWER | images courtesy of Stuart Littlewood and Morag Paterson 65 6.1 Change The one constant thing about our landscape is that it will change Change in the landscape is an inevitable process, driven by climate, ecology and human activity. Although it is not possible to stop change, it is sometimes possible to guide changes in our landscape for the purposes of improving it or maintaining valuable aspects. The Galloway Glens is subject to a range of landscape ‘forces for change’, varying from global to local influences. These are classed either as ‘direct’ or ‘indirect’ as a result of the activities of humans and also natural processes as the landscape develops over time. 6.2 Climate Man’s influence on global climate will affect the area, the principal effect of which is likely to be increased flooding as global temperatures rise and increase rainfall and affect sea levels. The periodic winter floods seen today will increase in severity and frequency, to the point where some areas of land will regularly flood and become more difficult to use for current purposes. Warmer climates will also change the agricultural emphasis of crops to those with warmer, wetter climatic tolerances. Increasing awareness of climate change issues will result in mitigation measures being taken, both in terms of physical flood defences or relocation of activities, but also in increased pressure for renewable energy developments such as windfarms or advances in hydro-electric power generation. Potential impacts specifically include: • Wetter weather changing hydrology and waterlogging/drying of soils, and erosional/flooding patterns of watercourses • Temperature changes (warmer/colder overall or more fluctuating) changing the zoning of habitats and the ranges of different species • Windier weather changing tree growth and accelerating loss of older trees such as field boundary trees 6.3 Ecology Potential ecological changes that will affect the Galloway Glens area include: • Changes in woodland structure/habitats including dominant tree species and therefore supported species, loss of ancient woodlands • Invasive species from other areas • Tree diseases such as Phytophthora ramorum and ash dieback leading to loss of key species in the landscape • Potential acidification of watercourses due to increasing forest plantations in the catchment area, air pollution or sea-salt episodes associated with climate change. • Change in species and habitats found locally due to climate change. 66 6.4 Change in Human population, behaviour and activity The local population peaked in 1850 but the relatively small change for the area since masks a much bigger urbanisation movement of people from rural areas to larger settlements. Other potential forces for change regarding the local population are: • Projected decline in local population by 2050. • Projected increase in proportion of population over 65 years old. Communities becoming unsustainable. • Change in local population dynamic reduces support for heritage interpretation projects, preferring to dissuade visitors from the area. Balmaghie Church Hall, currently for sale along with Balmaghie Church, was built in the 1980s. It is striking that at that time it KIRKCUDBRIGHT GARDEN | Towards Tolbooth c. Stuart Littlewood was deemed necessary to build a hall to support a church which now, only 30 years later, is for sale due to dwindling congregations. This will in part be due to lower levels of church attendance in the local population but is a also a sign of a reduced rural population and illustrates the sometimes rapid changes that can take place over time. The human population is directly related to the economy of the area and if the local economy were to drastically improve or worsen then that will lead to a number of impacts on the landscape, both directly as a result of the economic activities but also in supporting those, e.g. higher levels of house construction etc. 6.5 Transport Transport infrastructure is likely to continue to grow across the area, and will have to cater for increasingly mobile populations. Local considerations include recent petitions to reopen the Dumfries to Stranraer railway line and the proposal to turn the A75 into a dual carriageway. These are examples of projects that, while subject to consultation and planning control, would lead to a larger amount of land being required to support transport infrastructure. 67 LOCH KEN VIADUCT, Parton. c.Peter Norman 6.6 Agricultural Change The change in agricultural practices over time has been so significant that it should not be considered to have been completed. Agricultural process will continue to develop, through human ingenuity and in response to a changing subsidy regime or economic forces. As labour continues to be the most expensive element of running a farming business, it is likely than manpower requirements will continue to decrease as technology advances. This change in the availability of manpower could lead to a slow decline in structural landscape features such as walls, trees and woodlands through insufficient maintenance and replanting Agricultural practices also affect the vegetation, drainage and enclosure pattern of the landscape. The habitats and species able to co-exist with the agricultural sector is heavily dependent on the choice of chemical use and seasonal patterns of land usage. The Third Statistical Account of Scotland gives an example of this, stating that by 1951, the practice of silage production was only gradually being introduced, with a large number of European voluntary workers being imported for farm work. Agriculture practices are one of the largest impacts on the Galloway Glens ecosystem, with issues such as diffuse pollution of fertilisers, pesticides and farm run off affecting the river system. With issues identified below referring to Relict Landscapes, agricultural practices is a key influence on the cultural and built heritage of the area. The Scheme has benefitted from the support of the National Farmers Union (Scotland) on the Partnership Board. Looking forward, one of the biggest influences on Agriculture will remain the subsidy regime. Britain’s departure from Europe could lead to rapid and significant change in the subsidy sector and hence future agricultural practices. 68 6.7 Energy 6.7.1 Wind Power As Scotland has a good wind resource, and Dumfries and Galloway has extensive areas of upland, there is considerable pressure for windfarms in the area, including around the fringes of the Galloway Glens. To the west, the Merrick area is well protected with designated areas, but there are numerous windfarm proposals that are at various stages in the planning process. These tend to be located on the uplands to the north-east and east of the Galloway Glens, on higher ground in the Southern Upland hills, although there are a few proposals on more isolated areas of upland further south. 6.7.2 Hydro Power An important feature of the Galloway Glens is the Hydro-Electric scheme. The infrastructure includes dams, pipes, channels and power stations which require maintenance and periodical upgrades, which cause temporary issues such as clearance of vegetation and longer term implications such as potential loss of archaeological features. 6.7.3 Energy Infrastructure There is a proposed upgrade of the pylons supplying the Galloway Hydro Scheme, with the Kendoon to Tongland repair project proposed for 2020 onwards. The Galloway Glen Scheme should seek to harness any opportunities arising from this. The Scheme area is also crossed by a new Gas pipeline being installed to carry gas to Ireland. The severity of this landscape impact is relatively short term as it is an underground pipeline, but the route exists as a scar across the countryside for a number of months, visible at the time of application. 6.7.4 Biomass A recently developed sector, the implications of a dramatic increase in Biomass as an energy source are not yet known. A heavily forested area such as the Galloway Glens could well have a part to play in any future Biomass technology developments. 6.7.5 Energy Storage The 20th century was one of energy generation; the 21st century will be one of energy storage. Technology is at a very early stage but a limiting factor of renewable energy generation is the link between generation and demand and the intermittency of supply, particularly with wind and solar farms. The reservoirs in the valley can be considered to be a form of energy storage, holding water until required. If energy storage technology and opportunities were developed then this could dramatically change the pressures put on areas such as the Galloway Glens that have relatively low populations but good wind resources. 69 6.8 Forestry 6.8.1 Legislation The Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework (3) states that from 2015, 100,000 ha of new woodland will be planted. The D&G Forestry and Woodland Strategy (DGFWS), 2013 Supplementary Guidance to the Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan, sits in the context of the Scottish Forestry Strategy, (2003) which set a target of 25% woodland cover by the second half of this century. D&G has 31% woodland cover (where woodland is over 0.5ha) and 28% (where cover is over 2ha). While this is greater than the Scottish national target, it is much less than much of Europe and must be considered in the context that much of the softwood is at maturity and due to be harvested. However, harvesting does afford opportunities for restructuring and improvement in many ways, such as the retention of views opened up by felling, archaeological opportunities, water quality and flooding implications and impacts on the species/habitat balance, both positive and negative. The Scottish Government’s Rationale for Woodland Expansion expanded on this opportunity in many ways including through benefits to communities and enhancement of urban areas and improvement to landscapes; it set a target of 10,000 ha/yr. 6.8.2 Tree disease Raising awareness of climate change issues is important as warmer winters and wetter springs are encouraging over-wintering of pests and diseases. Phytophthora ramorum, a disease affecting larch, is prevalent in the warmer climate of Dumfries and Galloway. Larch allows greater light to penetrate the canopy and there is a greater diversity in ground cover. The felling of Larch now taking place as a result could therefore influence ground flora, depending on the species chosen to replace the larch. It is likely to offer opportunity for re-stocking in with more diverse species. This will have an impact on the character of the landscape in terms of seasonality, since larch being the only deciduous conifer. 6.9 A Galloway National Park? Discussions are underway about the creation of a National Park in Galloway. Precise boundaries unknown yet but they are likely to include some if not all of the Galloway Glens Area. Queries have been raised about the statutory and financial framework that establishment of a National Park would bring. Current discussions stress that the National Park process is not a ‘one size fits all’ and therefore the designation brings unknown implications in terms of planning controls or any additional restrictions. 70 6.10 Relict Landscapes BALMACLELLAN MOTTE c .Peter Norman 6.10.1 What is a relict landscape? The forces for change identified in the previous sections have the potential to impact all elements of tangible cultural heritage in the historic environment, but especially areas of relict landscape. Relict landscapes are defined as: • areas that contain archaeological sites • areas in close proximity to a known site or where there is reasonable expectation that archaeological material may exist, • areas containing chance findspots where there is a reasonable expectation that archaeological material may exist, and • areas for which source material (such as historic maps) indicates a reasonable possibility of archaeological features. 6.10.2 Local Considerations In urban areas or those under intensive agricultural use (generally on valley bottoms), relict landscapes have generally already been impacted by post-medieval to modern land use. In some cases they are known to survive below the surface - the Roman military complex at Glenlochar is one example - and these could still be adversely impacted by changes in agricultural practice or new development. Wind farm developments and reforestation have the greatest potential to impact the historic environment in upland contexts. 6.11 Political change 6.11.1 National overview Recently there has been a transfer of decision making powers from the UK parliament in Westminster to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. This could have a significant impact on the 71 landscape through individual sectors, such as forestry and agricultural policy above but also challenging established norms such as tax implications of private land ownership and access to the land. 6.11.2 Legislation Key recent legislation that will influence the local landscape includes: 6.11.2.1 Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 The Scottish Land Reform Act, bringing in the ‘right to roam’ over public and private land, is considered to be a very progressive piece of legislation and the wide reaching impacts are only now becoming clear. While there is still some friction around the access topic, locally and on a national level, the increased ability for the general public to enjoy wider access in the landscape is undeniable and, given the proximity of the Galloway Glens to England, it is notable how different access is now being interpreted between the two countries. This brings its own set of challenges and opportunities, both to landowners and access users. 6.11.2.2 Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 Other relatively recent legislation is only now beginning to influence the local landscape, such as the Community Empowerment Act and the opportunity for Community Asset Transfers from public bodies. The act is in certain rural settlements leading to an increased sense of community empowerment, working to strengthen the sustainability of these communities. 6.11.3.3 Low Carbon Agenda The Low Carbon Agenda continues to develop with wide reaching implications including on energy usage, storage and generation, and on the opportunity to restore peatlands and help improve natural carbon sequestration and safeguard natural carbon stores. 6.11.3 Departure from the European Union The Delivery stage of the Scheme will take place through a vital time in the constitutional history of the United Kingdom, with the proposed departure from the European Union in 2019. Implications of this decision, resulting from the referendum in 2016, are only now being truly discussed and it is likely that this process will have a massive impact on the landscape if the whole country, including the Galloway Glens. Topics under review that have local landscape implications include: agricultural subsidies, movement of people, Tariffs on imported and exported goods, environmental funding and funding for access works, amongst others. The Partnership Board will monitor developments in this area very closely as this will bring a number of challenges to the normal way or working. The Galloway Glens Scheme must be able to react to opportunities or challenges that present themselves during any time of change. 72 6.12 Conclusions The Galloway Glens area is subject to a number of forces for change, some global, some national and some local to the area. For more detail resulting from the Landscape Character Assessment and Historical Environment Audit activities, please consult the attached appendix. These forces are likely to have varying levels of influence over coming years and combine to create a unique set of challenges. Of particular significance will be the proposed departure from the European Union which is scheduled to take place during the Scheme’s Delivery phase. The Galloway Glens Scheme is not seeking to work against these broader forces for change but to work with and accommodate them, without losing the unique characteristics and heritage assets of the area. It is imperative that the Galloway Glens Scheme remains mindful of these forces for change to ensure that long term and sustainable benefits are a legacy of the Scheme. KENDOON POWER STATION c. Peter Norman 73 7.1 Outline This section gives an overview of the findings from the Development phase, both through the consultation efforts but also as a result of studies commissioned. These are used to define the proposed vision and aims for the delivery stage. The Partnership Board has been very clear throughout the Development phase that the consultation efforts should be wide reaching and, above all, genuine. There have been a number of consultation activities in the area over recent years that are perceived, either rightly or wrongly to have been unnecessary or ignored. It is vital that the Galloway Glens consultation activity is seen to give a real steer to the Delivery phase in order to maximise local support for activities and to assist in the long term tangible legacy of the Scheme. MEASURING GEOPHYSICS c. Andrew Nicholson 7.2 Consultation findings 7.2.1 Challenges facing the Galloway Glens Area Everywhere faces challenges. Framed against the nine Landscape Partnership outcomes and to give the Scheme a genuinely local context, work took place through the development phase to identify clear challenges facing the Galloway Glens. Discussions were framed around the nine Landscape Partnership outcomes. The results are summarised in the table below Challenge Comments a) Natural, Cultural & Built heritage not fully embraced/exploited by locals or accessible to visitors An exceptionally rich natural and cultural/built heritage exists but is at risk of mis-interpretation or omission and not capitalised upon. b) Unsustainable Demographics – ageing population and projected decline in population overall. Arrival of the ‘grey pound’, departure of young people. Challenging the sustainability of communities in the area. c) A low wage region, with low margin businesses Limited resilience of the local economy, further challenging sustainability of local community. 74 d) Natural Heritage perceived as ‘inaccessible’ Separation between land owners and others. Perception that the natural heritage is only a ‘backdrop’ to people’s lives. e) Under-utilised community assets not fulfilling potential Resistance to new structures. Concern about sustainability of existing community owned buildings. f) Human impact on the landscape Competing interests of man and nature, with complex land ownership. Natural environment responding to local or national land use policies and also global issues such as Climate Change. 7.2.2 Why these challenges? The above challenges resulted from the consultation efforts during the scheme’s development phase. The following sections summarise consultation findings that assisted in their creation: a) • • • • • • • b) • • • • • • Natural, Cultural & Built heritage not fully embraced / exploited by locals or accessible to Visitors A local acknowledgement that mis-conceptions exist and the ability for people to better understand the landscape they live in. Startling success of recent informal heritage engagement efforts – open days, guided walks, pop up exhibitions. There is an interest which is not currently being met. Efforts have been made over recent years to better understand and publicise the features of the local heritage but it was felt this was particularly relating to natural heritage – e.g. Red Kite Trail Ever fewer numbers of people involved in the construction of the Hydro Scheme are still alive. Change to the landscape in 20th century has not been fully mapped and exploited. – Arrival of forestry especially. Recent finds such as the Galloway Viking Hoard had raised the profile in the wider population of what the landscape can tell us about our past. Forestry areas planted in the 1980s, when there was relatively less knowledge about archaeological practices and techniques, are now being felled. This gives an ideal opportunity for further exploration. Unsustainable Demographics Population has declined since 19th Century. Arrival of retirees, looser and more dispersed family network, ageing population Departure of young people (often with subsequent return – can we help them return sooner?) Concerns over longer term implications – care industry staffing requirements, falling resources Stewardship and variation of landscape under threat Local businesses unable to fill key heritage and landscape supporting positions – such as gamekeeper, estate manager 75 c) • • • • • d) • • • e) • • • f) • • A low wage region, with some low margin businesses Dumfries & Galloway has the highest proportion of people earning below the living wage in Scotland. Economic activity is closely related to landscape protection – a lack of interest in the landscape removes any interest in either better understanding the landscape or looking after it. Contact with employees and businesses through the consultation period has supported this, with businesses in the Galloway Glens area concerned about the long term sustainability of the local economy. The proximity to England is not being exploited with visitors to ‘Scotland’ feeling the need to head North rather than West at Gretna. An opportunity for a co-ordinated effort to highlight and promote the natural and cultural heritage of the area to encourage visitors and support the local economy, particularly the hospitality sector. Natural Heritage perceived as ‘inaccessible’ The natural beauty is just seen as a ‘backdrop’ to people’s lives, with actual ability to get into the countryside limited either physically by lack of infrastructure, or emotionally through a perception of areas being ‘private’. This is particularly true for Loch Ken – many people felt it was inaccessible or ‘closed for business’. The Loch does have a number of special considerations, primarily relating to is active use for the Hydro Scheme, but access can still be improved and developed to encourage residents and visitors to break down the barrier between land owner and access taker. Complex land ownership exacerbated by multiple users of the land (e.g. hydro scheme and associated infrastructure.) Under-utilised community assets not fulfilling potential The Galloway Glens are has a surfeit of community buildings, resulting from a number of factors such as high levels of historic religious activity, suffers from declining church congregations, population changes on a parish level and changing demographics. Some of the community buildings are struggling to remain sustainable or to record a financial surplus to allow essential maintenance works. Rather than build anything new, the steer from the community consultation was that we should support innovative and better use of the existing community buildings, particularly as opportunities to engage and connect visitors and residents alike with the heritage of the area. If not, these buildings, a vital part of the built heritage, will continue to be lost. Human impact on the landscape Invasive species, such as American Signal Crayfish in Loch Ken, and concern about their impact on the natural heritage, was identified as a major challenge facing the area. The landscape is largely modified or maintained by humans, with a balance between positive impacts in some areas and negative impacts in others. The consultation efforts highlighted concerns about some negative impacts, particularly affecting species and habitats in the area that have either been degraded or at risk of degradation. 76 • 7.3 Discussion also took place on whether anything could be done to assist with flood prevention works, particularly given the recent Storm Frank event in December 2015. Results of commissioned studies A number of studies were commissioned during the Development phase to support the scheme’s development. This report does not seek to describe the findings in detail, with the full reports attached in the appendix. An overview of results is as follows: 7.3.1 Landscape Character Assessment & Historic Environment Audit It was agreed early on in the development phase that these two elements should be awarded as a single contract and undertaken together. This resulted in a more rounded document looking at both the landscape today and the influences upon it looking backwards and potential forces for change in the future. The report also considers the GG Scheme boundary, assessing any recommendations for amendment in light of the findings. The results of the report have supported other sections of this document, particularly Chapter 3 ‘The Landscape of the Galloway Glens’. This is felt to have been a very useful and beneficial process, drawing together formal data such as landscape classifications and combining this with more informal interpretations of landscape picked up through contact with residents and visitors. This was supported by a series of well attended ‘Sites & Sights’ consultation events held across the area between January and March 2017. GUIDED WALK OF POLMADDY, part of the Landscape Character Assessment consultation activities 77 7.3.2 Heritage Skills, Training & Economic Opportunities The Stage One Application to HLF cited a strong wish by the Partnership board to use the GG Scheme to undertake heritage skills training activities and to support job seekers and employers in finding useful roles locally. This supported the broader aim of encouraging local young people to stay in the area and working towards sustainable communities. This topic was endorsed by feedback from HLF after the stage one application. The Heritage Skills, Training & Economic Opportunities report is attached in the appendix and while acknowledging the other parties at work on this topic, including Skills Development Scotland, the Council’ Employability & Skills Team, and others, the report highlighted a current gap in training provision and an opportunity for the GG Scheme to ‘add value’ and support efforts in this sector. It was agreed by the Partnership Board that separate discussions surrounding education should be merged with the Skills training to form the ‘Galloway Glens Heritage Skills & Education Programme’. The Partnership Board established a steering group to guide the programme’s design, with membership as follows: Galloway Glens Heritage Skills & Education Steering Group - Membership Name Organisation McNabb Laurie Rose Lord Helen Keron Iain Howie Lesley Sloan Melanie McEwan GG Development Officer North Of England Civic Trust (Consultant) GG Partnership Board Member GG Partnership Board Member D&G Council, Education Department D&G Council, Employability & Skills Team The group met and developed the combined ‘Education & Heritage Skills programme’ from March to June 2017. This development work has set out seven exciting themes of work that will make up the Scheme’s Education & Heritage Skills Programme, including apprenticeships and training opportunities to encourage new people into heritage skills and to increase the economic activity in this sector locally. The ‘Education & heritage Skills Programme’ is made up of seven main strands and is detailed later in this document. 7.3.3 Loch Ken Fishery Study The Loch Ken Fishery Study was commissioned to better understand the health of the fish populations in the loch, acknowledging recent concerns expressed locally and nationally about the impact of American Signal Crayfish, an invasive species, present in the river system. Funding was received for the study from SNH and SEPA, for which the Partnership Board is very grateful. The Study ran from August 2016 to August 2017 in order to capture 12 months activity and included information gathered from a whole range of sources, from statutory bodies to anglers. A significant amount of information and a number of potential project activities for the Delivery phase resulted from the study. Separate to these individual projects, an overall picture emerged clarifying a more positive situation regarding fish populations in Loch Ken than had been feared or was understood informally. 78 The Partnership Board assessed the projects suggested by the Study and a number were included in the proposed Delivery stage, outlined later in this document. The broader message, more positive than expected about fish populations in Loch Ken, will be publicised through a number of channels, both within the Galloway Glens Scheme but also through partners. 7.3.4 Natural Flood Management Feasibility Study The valley has always been subject to flooding but parts of the Galloway Glens area have witnessed significant flood events over recent years, particularly Storm Frank in December 2015. A number of agencies are in discussion regarding plans for formal flood protection works at points in the valley, especially the village of Carsphairn that has recently had a temporary flood barrier installed. Separate to, and supporting these statutory discussions, the Partnership Board was keen to explore the opportunity for a Natural Flood Management project in the Scheme area. Natural Flood Management (as opposed to an engineering approach) has been described as ‘reconnecting a river with the surrounding floodplain’ and ‘slowing the flow’ of water in the watershed. Natural Flood Management is generally accepted not to be a total resolution to a flooding problem but can contribute towards a solution. Anecdotally it is understood that the water level in Carsphairn at the height of Storm Frank was at its peak for only a couple of hours and so if the volume of water could be slightly delayed over a longer time period then the absolute peak and hence impact would reduce. The Partnership Board was aware of recent Natural Flood Management projects on the Tweed and in Pickering and it was felt that the opportunity for a local equivalent should be explored. Natural Power Consultants Ltd, based near Dalry, was appointed to examine the feasibility of a Natural Flood Management measures to be implemented in the Scheme area. Using data from a range of sources, Natural Power designed a hydrological model of the entire catchment and was able to model the impact of rainfall events. This was used to highlight four potential Natural Flood Management activities that would be expected to have a flood management benefit. It is worth noting that these were all in the upper reaches of the catchment, since the positive impact of downstream works were reduced by the scale of water flow in the lower catchment. 79 Scheme staff worked closely with partners including the Council’s Flood Team and SEPA to consider the report’s findings. It was important that proposals considered supported the other statutory flood mitigation activities in the valley. Contact was made with Tweed Forum, an organisation that has undertaken ground breaking flood management measures on Eddleston Water in the Scottish Borders. Tweed Forum were very helpful in confirming the key factor for a successful Natural Flood Management project: long term relationships with partners involved. Initial discussions have been had with landowners in the valley, upon whose land potential Natural Flood Management measures have been identified. These discussions have bene positive and are useful groundwork for measures to be implemented. Mindful of Tweed Forum’s comments regarding long term relationships and the complex land ownership map in the area, a Natural Flood Management Feasibility project has been designed for the Delivery phase which makes use of the NFM modelling done and relationships made during the development phase and seeks to introduce more broadly and facilitate Natural Flood Management measures in the area, mapping any work undertaken. At the end of the Delivery phase, the model will be used to highlight the NFM activities in the valley and their impact on flood mitigation. 7.3.5 Interpretation Study Minerva Heritage was appointed to undertake the Interpretation Strategy, assessing the interpretation options available to the Scheme on a strategic level and also highlighting broader themes and opportunities offered by the Galloway Glens Area. Through field work, site visits and after a consultation event, the Interpretation Strategy was completed and sets the framework for coherent and co-ordinated interpretation of the Scheme area by Scheme staff and partners. The full report is available in the Appendix. 7.3.6 Arctic Charr Reintroduction Study Arctic Charr used to be found in Loch Grannoch, with specimens caught up until the 1950s. It was thought that the species was wiped out in the loch due to acidification caused by acid rain and the surrounding afforestation. The Partnership Board was interested to explore whether Arctic Charr could be reintroduced to the loch, with the natural heritage, citizen science and educational benefits that would result. Galloway Fisheries Trust was contracted to undertake the feasibility study, supported by the University of Belfast. Ultimately the report recommended that Arctic Charr could not be introduced into the Loch at this time due to continuing concerns about the pH of the water. The Partnership board were disappointed about this outcome but it was noted that through the study process a lot of new information about the area had been gathered and pupils from Kirkcudbright Academy had assisted in collecting this data. It was hoped that these activities, coupled with the publically available report, would be of use to interested parties in this sector and that sometime in the future pH levels would have reduced sufficiently to allow reintroduction to occur. 80 7.3.7 Communications Strategy BDS Digital, based in Dumfries, supported by McCrae Media, was commissioned to create the Scheme’s Communications Strategy. This outlined the key messages that should be used when promoting the scheme, and recommended methods of communication. This strategy document was supported by the design and launch of the Scheme’s website (www.gallowayglens.org) and design of the Scheme’s branding. The Communications Strategy is attached in the Appendix. 7.3.8 Access Audit A number of access project proposals were received through the public consultation period and it was important to consider access in a strategic manner, looking at broader opportunities. Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Countryside Services department undertook an Access Audit for the Galloway Glens Area, seeking to establish the current access arrangements, assess opportunities for broader access projects and considering legislation and requirements in this sector. This informed discussions surrounding access, put the discrete access projects under consideration into context and highlighted omissions from projects under discussion. The full report is attached in the Appendix. NEW GALLOWAY IN AUTUMN, by Anna Maria Hotchkiss c,The Artist’s family 7.3.9 Evaluation Audit An Evaluation Audit is a requirement of all Landscape Partnership schemes, providing a vital way of measuring the effectiveness of the scheme. Shirley Muir Associates was appointed to undertake the audit and through the development phase, efforts have been underway to establish the baseline data requirements and measurement techniques. The results of this study contribute towards the sustainability and legacy section later in this document. The Evaluation Audit will be completed through the Delivery phase. 81 8.1 Vision Right from the start, the Galloway Glens Scheme has had a focus on the long term sustainability and legacy of the Scheme. The Delivery stage is planned for 2018-2023, a period that will undoubtedly be subject to a number of restrictive and austere circumstances. For that reason, the Scheme’s ‘exit strategy’ will be vital to ensure that the work of the Delivery stage is maintained into the future and leaves a positive legacy. As well as Dumfries & Galloway Council, a strong partner to assist with this is the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere and the Scheme, in planning its exit strategy will seek to align on a strategic level with the aims and vision of the Biosphere. This is detailed further in Chapter 11, ‘Legacy & Sustainability’. The vision must also align with and support the overarching aims of the Landscape Partnership Scheme, specifically: Outcomes for heritage ! better managed ! in better condition ! identified / recorded Outcomes for people ! developed skills ! learnt about heritage ! volunteered time Outcomes for communities ! environmental impacts will be reduced ! more people and a wider range of people will have engaged with heritage ! your local area/community will be a better place to live, work or visit Considering the challenges identified, the following vision has been agreed for the Delivery stage of the Galloway Glens Scheme: ‘ The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership aims to implement our passion for living in a way that creates sustainable communities, builds relationships and benefits our natural, built and cultural heritage. ’ 82 8.2 Aims The following table acknowledges the challenges highlighted through the consultation period, as discussed in Chapter 7 ‘What have we learned’ and uses these to determine the proposed aims of the Delivery phase, and the resulting programme of work. Challenge Aim Programme of Work 1. Rich Natural, cultural & built heritage not fully embraced / exploited by locals or accessible to visitors - at risk of mis-interpretation or omission 1. To better record and understand the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Galloway Glens Understanding the Galloway Glens 2. Demographics – projected (further) decline in population. Arrival of the ‘grey pound’, departure of young people 2. To support sustainable communities through education and heritage skills training Education & Heritage Skills in the Galloway Glens 3. A low wage region, with low margin businesses limits the resilience of the local economy 3. To encourage people to visit the area and engage with the heritage Visiting the Galloway Glens 4. Natural Heritage offering perceived as ‘peripheral’ or ‘inaccessible’ 4. To improve access to the Natural Heritage of the area Accessing the Galloway Glens 5. Under-utilised community assets not fulfilling potential 5. To increase use and therefore sustainability of the community buildings in the area, supporting the built heritage Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens 6. Human impact on the landscape with negative environmental impacts. 6. To support the habitats and species of the area and mitigate negative environmental impacts. Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens 83 8.3 The Nine Landscape Partnership outcomes Later in this document each project is measured against the nine governing criteria, and this has been part of the criteria used when assessing projects through the Development phase. Whilst acknowledging that the nine governing Landscape Partnership outcomes are broad, it is possible to compile an overview of the 6 Programmes of work resulting from the Aims and their fit with the LP outcomes, as follows: Supporting the nine LP programme outcomes Developed Skills Learnt about Heritage Volunteered Time Environmental impacts reduced More people engaged Local area better place Communities Identified/ Recorded 1. Understanding the Galloway Glens 2. Education & Heritage Skills in the Galloway Glens 3. Visiting the Galloway Glens 4. Accessing the Galloway Glens 5. Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens 6. Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens - Y Y Y Y Y - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - Y Y Y Y - Y Y - - Y - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Better Managed Programme of Work People Better Condition Heritage 84 8.4 Our Way of working The Scheme is overseen by a vision, with activity guided by six clear aims that resulted from consultation activity during the Development phase. As well as a focus on what the Scheme is trying to do, there has been much discussion about how the Scheme will go about it. This is best summarised through the following quotes: “ “Undertaking community development with a range of partners is a complex and difficult process. I feel the Galloway Glens Scheme has set out its stall well for how it should proceed – building genuine and productive relationships with partners varying from small community groups with nothing more than enthusiasm to national agencies with competing calls upon their time. I want to see us keep this approachable and flexible mindset as we get underway” Sir Alex Fergusson, Chair of the Galloway Glens Partnership Board “It is critical that the scheme should remain relevant to the people of the area at a grassroots level. The significant engagement and consultation efforts over the last year have given the plans a real local flavour and resonance. If the scheme progresses as planned, the people of the GGLP area will be more aware and prouder of their Cultural and Natural heritage, able to speak more confidently about it and therefore able to use it to support their local economy and enterprises. GCAT has been delighted to be part of the process to date and looks forward to working in ever closer partnership with the scheme.” Helen Keron, member of the Partnership Board and representative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust “We applaud the efforts and activities of the GG Scheme over the last couple of years. It is obvious that you have focussed on genuine community consultation and engagement, resulting in a noticeable buzz in the valley about the GG Scheme and its opportunities to engage people and communities with their natural and cultural heritage.” Joan Mitchell, Chair of the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere “The heritage of the Galloway Glens has massively shaped the current landscape and I want people to be able to understand the historic influences on today’s world. I feel the Scheme has a good balance between the natural and cultural heritage, and this should be retained going forward.” Dr John Raven, Historic Environment Scotland – associate member of the Partnership Board ” 85 9.1 The Delivery Stage We are proposing five years of focussed and co-ordinated action to connect the people and communities of the Galloway Glens area with their natural and cultural heritage. This will be done through a series of projects taking place under six main programmes of activity. The Scheme will be overseen through the Development phase by dedicated Galloway Glens Staff who will ensure maximum benefits are derived from each project but also that these exploit opportunities to support each other towards the best possible outcomes and align with the overall landscape scale approach to the Scheme. 9.2 Programmes of Activity Programme of Work 1. Understanding the Galloway Glens 2. Education & Heritage Skills in the Galloway Glens 3. Visiting the Galloway Glens 4. Accessing the Galloway Glens Aim Overview To better record and understand the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Galloway Glens Projects that catalogue, interpret and publicise the heritage of the area, with outputs that are both accessible to general public and in line with scholarly output To support sustainable communities through education and heritage skills training 5 years of activity, accessible to all ages and locations in the valley. Targeting both employability skills and separately providing activities to support isolation in older age. Aligning with and supporting established statutory activities + programmes where appropriate, aligning with heritage need + skills gaps. To encourage people to visit the area and engage with the heritage Highlighting the heritage assets of the area to visitors and locals alike. Working to support the local economy particularly the hospitality sector. To improve access to the Natural Heritage of the area Breaking down the perception of the Natural Heritage as a ‘backdrop’ to people’s lives and increasing opportunities to access the natural landscape. Notable health & wellbeing benefits also. 87 5. Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens 6. Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens To increase use and therefore sustainability of the community buildings in the area Interpreting the diverse local heritage and supporting underutilised public assets and therefore the local built heritage. To support the habitats and species of the area and mitigate negative environmental impacts. Protecting and mitigating the impacts of man on the environment, supporting the balance between human interests and those of the natural world. GATHERING PEOPLE’S VIEWS ON THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE as part of the Landscape Character Assessment 9.3 Project Snapshots A project plan for each proposal is detailed in Chapter 12 ‘Project Plans’, with supporting information among the appendices. This section gives a high level overview of projects proposed, outlines how they connect people to their heritage, the relationship between the project and the consultation activities and the implications of the project for the broader landscape. Key locations for the projects are mapped with each programme and then combined on a single map later in the document. 88 9.3.1 Understanding the Galloway Glens Programme: Understanding the Galloway Glens This programme of activity will both capitalise on the current levels of interest in the heritage of the area and promote a better understanding to currently less engaged audiences. All projects will be undertaken in partnership with the relevant specialist organisations, either local or national. It is intended that a significant benefit of the programme will be the relationships formed by different parties in the heritage sector, in a Galloway Glens setting. This will support the sustainability of the work but also highlight the assets and attributes of the area on a national scale. Programme: Understanding the Galloway Glens Project: 1.1 HISTORIC MAPPING PROJECT Lead Partner: Dumfries Archival Mapping Project (DAMP) Activity: Obtaining, cataloguing and then publicising through a series of talks and events the pre-ordnance survey maps of the Galloway Glens Area. The work will involve a large number of volunteers (‘map hunters’) to work particularly with estate owners to locate, catalogue + digitise the pre-1750 maps on the National Library for Scotland Website. Once published, the findings will be highlighted and explored through a series of public events. Discussion will focus not only on the maps themselves but how the art of map making has changed, as well as insights the maps give on the landscape itself. Total project cost £14,543 Match Funding Match funding secured. Years of Activity Yrs. 1-5.: Map hunting activity + cataloguing by volunteers Yrs. 2-5: Public events held 89 Project Location Various Connecting people to their heritage? Allowing participants to understand how the area has changed since early mapping days and to discuss the landscape changes. Awareness locally of DAMP’s activities in neighbouring Nithsdale, project requested through consultation. Estate owners are currently reviewing old maps due to move by land registry to online records. Participants are better able to understand the relationship between landscape and settlement patterns and the influence of historic settlements on today’s landscape Ready to start, pending HLF award Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Programme: Understanding the Galloway Glens Project: 1.2 COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY PROGRAMME: CAN YOU DIG IT? Lead Partner: Galloway Glens Scheme Activity: A series of archaeological activities, open to all, particularly targeting: 1) Newcomers to the sector seeking an introduction to archaeological techniques 2) Enthusiasts looking to take part in a managed dig Activities will include field surveys, geophysics surveys, talks and a range of on-site digs including a ‘Kirkcudbright Castles’ scheme and ‘Castle Douglas centre of power’ as flagship dig sites. This exciting programme, professionally designed with the input of Historic Environment Scotland, Local volunteer groups and D&G Council’s Archaeologist, will leave participants better informed about archaeological techniques and also better able to read and understand today’s landscape. Supported by the development work undertaken to date. Total project cost £200,000 Match Funding Match funding required. Application submitted to HES by Sept 2017, decision Jan 2018. Years of Activity Yr. 1: Detailed planning + securing match funding Yrs. 2-5: Activity Project Location Various Connecting people Allows residents and visitors to gain a better understanding of previous settlements in the area. to their heritage? Consultation Aligns with interest locally in the Galloway Hoard (find site was in the Galloway Glens area) and the suggestion to better understand sites such as the Castles in comments Kirkcudbright and Roman fort at Glenlochar. Derived from a project received through the consultation phase. Landscape Participants are better able to understand the relationship between landscape and settlement patterns and the influence of historic settlements on today’s implications? landscape Status Match funding required, scheduled to start in Year 2. 90 Programme: Understanding the Galloway Glens Project: 1.3 PLACE NAMES OF THE GALLOWAY GLENS Lead Partner: Glasgow University Activity: A study of the place names of the Galloway Glens Area, on a parish level. This project focusses on the employment, by Glasgow University, of a qualified place name researcher (Toponymist) for one year. Results will be aligned with Glasgow University’s Celtic & Gaelic department to ensure output is in line with academic requirement , but also made available through talks/leaflets and inclusion in other scheme materials. The outputs of the project will closely support the Historic Mapping Project, the Dee Treasures App, the Ken Words festival and elements of the Education & Heritage Skills programme. £59,683 Total project cost Secured, In kind contribution from Glasgow University. Match Funding Yr. 1.: Employment of Toponymist for 12 months. Yr 2: Completion of research, results published Yrs3-5: Results disseminated. Various Years of Activity Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Place names, on a broad scale – i.e. nomenclature and languages, indicate the arrival and departure of peoples and individual place names show the location within the landscape and highlight the significance of the surrounding landscape, often not immediately visible today. The Project suggestion was received through consultation – a development of informal studies over recent years Place names can reveal insights to the historic landscape – e.g. areas susceptible to flooding, religious significance. Ready to start, pending HLF award Programme: Understanding the Galloway Glens Project: 1.4 FORGOTTEN VOICES/NATIVE TONGUES Lead Partner: Stewartry CVS Activity: An oral history project seeking to record the ‘Lowland Scots’ dialect, a dialect undergoing significant reduction in use locally. The project will aim to capture the use of the dialect through a series of conversations, recorded by young people from local schools. The conversations will be focussed on the question of how the speakers see the local landscape and forces for change and will target three age groups to highlight how the dialect has changed between three generations. £7,750 Total project cost Match Funding £2,850 funding shortfall – application will be made to Awards for All Years of Activity Yr. 1.: Match funding secured. Yrs. 2-3: Recording of voices, with analysis and report. Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Various The Lowlands Scots dialect has been used locally for many centuries, used by poets such as Rabbie Burns and local authors such as S.R.Crockett. Our ability 91 Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status to connect with their artistic legacy depends on effective recording and archiving of the dialect. Discussion took place over local accents and the number of English and nonGalloway accents. Accents do change over time and this project captures the difference in dialects at the beginning of the 21st century The Lowland Scots dialect has been informed by the landscape and local way of life over centuries. A local dialect is tailored by the landscape and can help us access previously written records and archive materials. Match funding to be secured, then ready to start. 92 9.3.2 Education & Skills in the Galloway Glens Programme: Education & Heritage Skills in the Galloway Glens A key activity of the Delivery phase will be the education & heritage skills programme. The Galloway Glens Scheme will work closely with a suite of partners to ensure that training, bursary and apprenticeship activities are both sustainable and realistic in the market place to give maximum benefit to participants but also to address the identified gaps in heritage skill training and expertise. The programme has undergone significant development so far to explore potential apprenticeship hosts and align with other initiatives, ensuring this work is targeting a clear gap in current provision. This will be one of the most public facing programmes of the Scheme and as such will play a key role in engaging a broad sweep of the community with their heritage. Programme: Education & Skills in the Galloway Glens Project: 2.1-2.7 EDUCATION & HERITAGE SKILLS PROGRAMME Lead Partner: Galloway Glens Scheme Activity: A 5-year suite of projects, overseen by the GG Education & Community Engagement Officer (1 fte) and the Heritage Skills & Training Officer (0.6 fte), this will provide educational and skills training activities open to people of all ages and in all locations of the Galloway Glens. The seven main streams of work are as follows: 1) Future Custodians: An ambitious and yet realistic and well planned scheme of apprenticeships and bursaried work placements that will offer young people the opportunity to learn rural heritage and environmental management skills. 2) Hands on Heritage: A programme of natural heritage skills & training to include awareness raising, up skilling and master classes. Aiming to educate people already active in the heritage 93 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) trades and also other parties such as homeowners as to the merits of heritage techniques, supporting the ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ elements of this sector. John Muir Awards – Working closely with the John Muir Trust to train local young people in skills required to care for the landscape, giving an appreciation for ‘wild places’ and the natural heritage Community Activities – A broad programme of work consisting of talks/volunteer events/guided walks/’have a go’ skill sessions/’meet the experts’/wild sleepovers/lectures/festivals and others Galloway Glens Business Academy – A partnership with the local Business Gateway office to deliver a series of tailored courses to local businesses to maximise the understanding, use and protection of the local heritage. Titles include: ‘interpreting the heritage of the GG’, ‘An introduction to the Biosphere’ Galloway Glens Explorers – day camps and, through the summer, week long camps for young people to provide experience and teaching about the natural heritage and local history. Attendees will have better confidence in the outdoors, understanding of land management techniques such as permaculture and organic farming, and better awareness of the forces for change influencing the landscape. Galloway Glens Awards: An awards programme to celebrate the work of everyone involved in the Scheme. Awards given for e.g. Heritage & Environmental Skills, volunteering, interpretation etc. Total project cost Match Funding Years of Activity Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status £477,500 The Galloway Glens Business Academy is fully funded. Range of potential sources identified for other steams, particularly the Holywood Trust. Application underway by September 2017. Yrs. 1-5: Activity led by GG Education & Community Engagement Officer and Heritage Skills & Training Officer. The Galloway Glens Business Academy is ready to start, others are well developed and pending match funding confirmation. Various Breaking down barriers between those who work and live with the natural heritage and those who live in the area but may not feel confident or able to access the natural heritage. Also training in heritage skills ensures the built and natural heritage is better looked after. Highlighting and taking a sense of pride form the local vernacular and built environment. Gaps identified in current provision through existing providers, young people not given the opportunity to develop extra-curricular skills, particularly those relating to working with and accessing the natural heritage. Health & Wellbeing implications. Allowing young people to work and therefore stay in the area. Human impact on the local landscape is dictated by approaches and abilities of the people working there. The training of heritage skills will allow the unique features of the landscape to be preserved and maintenance to be perpetuated in future generations. GGLP Staff will operate a quarter-by-quarter approach to the programme, with discrete activity only included in each year when match funding has been secured. 94 Programme: Education & Skills in the Galloway Glens Project: 2.8 BIOSPHERE EXPLORERS Lead Partner: Crichton Carbon Centre Activity: A sustainable development education programme for school children and local residents delivered through a series of workshops with the aim of increasing their knowledge of the local natural environment and human interactions with it. A key focus will be to increase awareness and connections with the “working countryside” and the local industries working with the natural environment e.g. farming, forestry, fisheries, tourism and renewable energy. £51,329 Total project cost Match Funding Secured, from Crichton Carbon Centre Years of Activity Yrs 1-2 Project Location Various, Primary & Secondary Schools Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Introducing broader issues in a workshop/classroom setting surrounding the relationship between humans and the natural heritage. Focuses will include: ‘the working countryside’, climate change and the carbon balance. Divisions exist between different users of the local landscape – e.g. renewables vs. scenery, forestry vs agriculture. A better understanding of the broader impacts on landscape, such as climate change and implications of land use. Ready to start, pending HLF award. Programme: Education & Skills in the Galloway Glens Project: 2.9 DRYSTANE DYKES DEMONSTRATION Lead Partner: SW Scotland Dry Stone Walling Association Activity: Research and recording of local dyking styles and construction of a demonstration dyke on Threave Estate incorporating the different styles. The different dykes of the area form significant features in the local landscape, as highlighted through the Landscape Character Assessment. The activities of the Galloway Levellers in the 18th Century add a unique level of interest to this subject. £2,500 Total project cost Match Funding Years of Activity Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Secured Yr: 1: Match funding secured Yr 2-3: Project underway Threave Estate The Galloway Glens area is a rich resource for the heritage of drystane dyking, highlighting the agricultural revolution and enclosures but also specifically on a local basis with the Galloway Leveller activity. This project is an opportunity to highlight the importance of dykes in a national setting but also with the local unique factors. Interest in dykes from an employment point of view as well as an educational resource. 95 Dykes are a vital part of the local landscape vernacular, contributing to a sense of place. The Landscape Character Assessment highlighted their significance to a sense of place. Match funding required, scheduled to start in year 2. Landscape implications? Status Programme: Education & Skills in the Galloway Glens Project: 2.10 KEN WORDS – LITERATURE LINKING PEOPLE AND LANDSCAPE Lead Partner: Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Activity: The project will provide festivals, workshops and other activities designed to encourage people who live in the Galloway Glens area, and those who come as visitors, to produce and to publish poems and prose which grow from, and are rooted in, its communities, soil, skies, rivers and lochs. The festival will use influences taken from other projects, such as the Place Names of the Galloway Glens. Total project cost Match Funding Years of Activity Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status £58,000 Match funding required, application submitted to Creative Scotland, decision expected October 2017. Yr. 1 – Match funding secured Yrs 2-5: Run a series of festivals and events Various The area enjoys an enviable literary heritage, with poets and authors often directly influenced by the local landscape. The literary legacy forms part of the local cultural heritage. A strong interest in local residents’ contribution to literature, nationally and internationally. This includes S.R.Crockett, inspiration for Rabbie Burns (Tam o’Shanter) and John Buchan (39 Steps). People will be able to consider ways to draw inspiration from the landscape and use this to better record aspects of the local landscape in its broadest sense. Match funding to be secured. Scheduled for a Year 2 Start. 96 9.3.3 Visiting the Galloway Glens Programme: Visiting the Galloway Glens The Galloway Glens area’s enviable natural and cultural heritage can be better used to support the local economy, both drawing in visitors from outside the area and also for residents. This programme of activity picks up on themes and opportunities discussed in Chapter 3 ‘The Landscape of the Galloway Glens’ and from consultation activities. Encouraging visitors into the area is also a key source of support for the local economy, supporting sustainable communities. These projects are working with established partners to ensure the sustainability and legacy is maximised. We have an amazing local heritage, let’s show it off! Programme: Visiting the Galloway Glens Project: 3.1 LOCH KEN: ALIVE Lead Partner: Loch Ken Management Advisory Committee Activity: An initiative to promote Loch Ken as a cohesive tourist destination, highlighting the natural and cultural heritage assets, bringing together all activities available on the loch and in the surrounding area. 4 main activities, co-ordinated by a Loch Ken Officer: 1) Online facility for Loch Ken including boat registration and fishing permits 2) Run a series of festivals around Loch Ken 3) Advertising campaign drawing upon the natural and cultural heritage offering 4) Write a new management plan for Loch Ken to co-ordinate visitor, local and natural considerations. £210,000 Total project cost Project Location Match funding required - application underway to Visit Scotland and other sources. Yr. 1: Match funding secured Yrs. 2-5: Loch Ken Officer employed and project underway. Loch Ken & environs Connecting people Loch Ken is a natural heritage jewel in the area but has a disconnected and Match Funding Years of Activity 97 to their heritage? fragmented offering of information and attractions. This project will encourage visitors to the area and raise the understanding locally of the heritage significance. A common complaint received that Loch Ken seemed ‘inaccessible’ or not open to the public. Use has reduced over time due to issues such as complex land ownership and poor marketing/visibility. Loch Ken hosts a range of natural and cultural heritage designations which are not fully appreciated or acknowledged. The loch is a focal point in the local landscape. Match funding to be secured. Project scheduled to start in Year 2. Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Programme: Visiting the Galloway Glens Project: 3.2 THE GALLOWAY GLENS EXPERIENCE Lead Partner: Southern Upland Partnership Activity: Work with local businesses and heritage site managers to develop a range of local activities that will both help local people better understand local heritage and provide new “experiential” attractions for visitors. This project is building on a successful pilot project developed with National Trust for Scotland based on Threave Estate, this project will identify a number of “artisans” such as craft workers, artists, wildlife guides and surveyors, archaeologists, historians, local food and drink manufacturers, who will be supported in developing a range of authentic taster sessions within the Galloway Glens relating to their speciality, e.g. half day on cheese making, learn to drystone-dyke, make a willow basket etc. These will be packaged into ‘heritage activity weekends’ £71,070 Total project cost Years of Activity Match funding required, LEADER and Scottish Enterprise applications underway by September 2017. Yrs. 2-3 Project Location Various Match Funding Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status The range of local crafts, arts and heritage skills in the area will be better understood and highlighted as attractions to better display the heritage of the area, in turn supporting these activities today and the local economy. Local pride in local craftsmanship and small scale industries such as food production These local crafts and activities are an insight into the historic landscape and a vivid demonstration of the activities and employment pursued locally through the years. Match funding to be secured, scheduled to begin in Year 2. 98 Programme: Visiting the Galloway Glens Project: 3.3 DEE TREASURES Lead Partner: Dumfries & Galloway Council Activity: To develop a driving/cycling tour of sites of interest along the Ken/Dee Valley through an illustrated pamphlet, an app, and a selection of on-site interpretation boards. The app will be developed with local high schools to provide a training/skills benefit and support long-term maintenance. Data layers will include: The Galloway Hydro Trail, Archaeology of the area, Roman activity and Religious history. This project, particularly the App which will make use of GPS positioning and augmented reality, will draw together the findings of the studies commissioned in the development phase and outputs from a range of delivery phase projects to add real value – e.g. Canoe Trail App companion, Place Names of the Galloway Glens, Forgotten Voices Oral History Project. £47,200 Total project cost Match Funding Years of Activity Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Largely to be secured, sources identified. Applications underway by September 2017. Yrs 1-2: Match Funding Secured Yrs 3-5: Project underway Various Technology such as Apps is not exploited locally and will bring together historical and archive materials with visitors to the area. Lack of coherent, combined information for visitors and residents to fully appreciate the area’s heritage and points of historical interest. Using augmented reality, users will be able to see landscape as it used to look, compared to viewpoints today. Users will also hear audio and see video clips to bring the broader landscape to life and highlight changes over time. Match funding required, scheduled to begin in Year 3. Programme: Visiting the Galloway Glens Project: 3.4 KIRKCUDBRIGHT DARK SKIES VISITOR CENTRE Lead Partner: Kirkcudbright Development Trust Activity: Develop a Dark Skies Visitor Centre within the completed Johnston School Community Resource and Activity Centre in Kirkcudbright. This will provide a weather independent and family hours friendly introduction to the Dark Sky park and issues such as light pollution. This will be a launching point for a visit to the Dark Sky park itself, and will be used for a range of supporting activities such as the Biosphere Dark Sky Rangers. The Dark Sky Visitor Centre is in what used to be the School’s gymnasium, benefitting from the most visible and accessible part of the building. The overall redevelopment of the building recently received an award of £850,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. £241,481 Total project cost Match Funding Secured. Years of Activity Yr2: Project underway Yrs. 3-5: schedule of events Project Location Connecting people Johnston Community Resource & Activity Centre in Kirkcudbright The Dark Sky Park’s designation is an acknowledgement of the natural and 99 to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status cultural heritage of the area. It is currently less accessible due to astro visibility being dependant on clear skies and only really a feature at night. This will allow people to prepare for their visit to the Dark Sky Park and to increase understanding of what it involves. Feedback received that the Dark Sky Park was not being exploited sufficiently and lacked a family friendly introduction to the subject. If residents (and visitors) increase their understanding of the Dark Sky Park and the potential for associated economic activity then it will ensure landscape developments align with this formal designation. Project will wait until Yr. 2 to align with other works on the Old School site. 100 9.3.4 Accessing the Galloway Glens Programme: Accessing the Galloway Glens Access to the Natural Heritage of the Galloway Glens area is influenced by a number of factors, including legislation, the interest of access takers, land owner approaches and statutory considerations in relation to the use of the river by the hydro scheme. Despite these often conflicting background challenges, a suite of exciting, innovative and beneficial projects has been developed that will improve the access provision across the area and allow more people to engage with the natural environment and heritage. The projects have been developed with a range of partners and a number of related benefits such as volunteer activities, health & wellbeing benefits and support to the local economy, working in ‘wild’ areas and peri-urban. Programme: Accessing the Galloway Glens Project: 4.1 OUT AND ABOUT Lead Partner: Dumfries & Galloway Council Activity: A programme of access, stopping places and viewpoint improvements looking to increase access to the wild and natural places and heritage sites within the Galloway Glens. Informed by the Access Audit undertaken through the development phase, this project will provide new routes, access to view points as well as improving existing core paths and informal laybys. The project will use vegetation management to reveal hidden views, unlocking access to loch shore and hill top. Total project cost Match Funding Years of Activity Project Location £134,400 Some secured, balance sought from a range of identified sources including SNH’s IPA funding Yrs 2-5 Various 101 Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status The area benefits from a varied and interesting natural heritage. This project will work with landowners and access takers to manage and maximise access opportunities. Based on the findings of the Access Audit. Keen to address the perception that living in the area means access is plentiful. Restrictions still exist and formalising access routes benefits both landowners and access takers. Increases the ability for people to get out into the landscape and see it from different angles. An element of match funding required, scheduled to begin in year 2. Programme: Accessing the Galloway Glens Project: 4.2 THE GLENKENS WAY Lead Partner: Dumfries & Galloway Outdoor Access Trust Activity: This project will establish, brand and market an off road route from New Galloway in the South of the Glenkens to Carsphairn in the north. The route is based upon, and closely follows the Old Pack Road which was the main route between Galloway and Ayrshire for centuries, and in places is at risk of being lost from use. The marketing of the route (approximately 20 miles) will focus on the heritage features along the route and also the wild nature of the landscape. Largely making use of established access and tracks, the route has minimal construction costs and would aim to emulate equivalent medium distance walks such as the Cowal Way. £40,000 Total project cost Match Funding To be secured, discussions with D&G Council – Environment Team underway. Years of Activity Yrs 2-5 Project Location Various Connecting people to their heritage? The route will publicise and encourage access to some of the more remote heritage features and areas in the Glenkens area of the Galloway Glens. The ‘Glenkens’ area was felt to suffer from a lack of identity and ‘brand’. Feedback was also received from the Carsphairn community that they felt dislocated from the Glenkens as a whole. This route will increase people’s understanding and experiences with some of the remoter local areas and align with a number of historic landscape influences such as drove roads and deserted settlements. Landowner agreement secured. Match funding required, scheduled to begin in Year 2. Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Programme: Accessing the Galloway Glens Project: 4.3 CORSERINE ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS Lead Partner: Dumfries & Galloway Council Activity: Improvements to the Corserine hill path and other linked paths to create a safer and more enjoyable experience for visitors and local people climbing to the summit. Corserine is a local landmark and providing views of the Merrick Wild Land Area. 102 Total project cost £9,900 Match Funding Secured. Years of Activity Yr 1: Project underway. Project Location Forrest Estate Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status One of the most dominant and dramatic summits in the Galloway Glens area, Corserine is rare in providing an accessible view of Merrick Wild Land Area, Silver Flowe and the Range of the Awful Hand (‘the awfu’ hand’). Gaps in the existing path network hinder access at present, restricting use to the most committed walker. Allows the natural landscape to be appreciated from a different angle and views of the remote, more inaccessible Galloway Hills interior. Ready to start, pending HLF award Programme: Accessing the Galloway Glens Project: 4.4 CONNECTING TOWN & COUNTRY Lead Partner: Castle Douglas Development Forum Activity: Work on two paths leading out from Castle Douglas to surrounding areas. 1) DDA improvements to the Blackpark path running to Threave Castle to allow wheelchair access on this popular route 2) Fingerposts and fencing work allowing pedestrian access from Bridge of Dee village to the main Threave estate and therefore onwards to Castle Douglas. Both on National Trust for Scotland land. This project will link up existing fragmented routes around the heritage of the Estate and beyond. Total project cost Match Funding Years of Activity Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status £57,591 To be secured, local fundraising efforts underway. D&G Council – Environment Team in discussion. Yr 1: Match Funding Secured Yr 2-3: Work underway Threave Estate, Castle Douglas. Allowing route users to safely leave Castle Douglas and engage with the surrounding heritage on the Threave estate, particularly Threave Castle and Nature Reserve. Access at present does not allow wheelchair or access limited users. Bridge of Dee, while close to Castle Douglas, has been dislocated form Castle Douglas for non-vehicular use, particularly due to the construction of the A75. Health & Well-being benefits. Allows residents of Castle Douglas and non-vehicular users to access the countryside around the Town. Match funding required, scheduled to begin in Year 2. 103 Programme: Accessing the Galloway Glens Project: 4.5 EXPLORING THE GLENKENS Lead Partner: Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) Activity: The provision of a community and visitor facilities for walking and leisure by clearing and maintaining 20 miles of existing footpaths of debris and overgrowth; signing and/or mapping routes; and refurbishment of a publically accessible walled garden. Working closely with the local Connecting in Retirement Group of volunteers. £21,000 Total project cost Match Funding Secured. Years of Activity Yrs 1-5 Project Location Garroch Estate & New Galloway Golf Club Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Garroch Estate is one of the largest designed landscapes in the Galloway Glens area, this will encourage and maintain access to the site. Shortage of walking routes in the New Galloway area. Allow users to travel through a designed landscape, a prominent heritage feature of the local area and experience the local landscape from a different angle. Ready to start, pending HLF award Landscape implications? Status Programme: Accessing the Galloway Glens Project: 4.6 KIRKCUDBRIGHT BAY VIEWS Lead Partner: Solway Firth Partnership Activity: This project will enhance connections between people and place. It will promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of Kirkcudbright Bay by improving paths that run around the bay and involving volunteers in gathering local heritage information to be used in interpretation of natural, cultural and historic aspects of the bay. This will be displayed on information boards to highlight heritage features of the bay, the culmination of the river’s journey through the area. £66,500 Total project cost Match Funding Majority secured, remainder to be sourced from identified sources in 2018 Years of Activity Yr 1: Match funding secured Yrs 2-3: project underway Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Kirkcudbright Bay Kirkcudbright Bay has had a massive influence on the local heritage, giving rise to the Kirkcudbright harbour and a historic seat of defence and power. Views and heritage of the bay not fully appreciated by visitors and some residents alike. Consider and acknowledge the Seascape looking out towards the Irish Sea and the culmination of the river’s journey. An element of match funding required, scheduled to begin in year 2. 104 Programme: Accessing the Galloway Glens Project: 4.7 CANOE TRAIL Lead Partner: Kirkcudbright Canoe Club Activity: To develop a long distance canoe trail along the Ken and Dee running from Dalry to Tongland, formalising access at safe distances from Hydro Scheme infrastructure and improving access facilities generally for canoes. 11 Sites are under development, some requiring simple signage and branding, others requiring infrastructure improvements. Highlights include access around Glenlochar Barrage and along Carlingwark Canal, built to transport Marl from Carlingwark up the river. This would allow canoeists to travel along the river channel, giving a view and access of area of the valley currently inaccessible land based traffic. This project is working with Scottish Power and the relevant landowners, and will also work to defuse tension between anglers and canoeists on the river. The project has a wide range of support, including Fergus Ewing MSP and Emma Harper MSP. The whole route is Grade 1 or 2 water, i.e. easy to paddle. £150,000 Total project cost Match Funding Years of Activity Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status To be secured, application identified to Sport Scotland and other sources. Yr 1: Match funding secured Yrs 2-5: Project underway. Various, 11 sites along the river channel from Dalry to Tongland. Access to the river, currently restricted to roads and bridging points, is currently patchy. This project allows users to connect with the natural heritage of the river and its surroundings. Lack of canoeing opportunities locally and inaccessibility of Carlingwark canal. A different, immersive, view of the local landscape is available to users. Reestablishment of the river as a local form of travel. Match funding Required, scheduled to begin in Year 2. 105 9.3.5 Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens Programme: Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens The Built Heritage of the area is unique. Some of the most visible and iconic buildings are in community ownership but are struggling to attract visitors and use to remain sustainable. Simultaneously a number of informal heritage days have been held that identified a demand from visitors and locals to better understand the local cultural and natural heritage. The Heritage Hubs programme aims to support 4 much loved buildings in the valley, also exploiting opportunities of joint working with other similar facilities in the valley in New Galloway and Carsphairn. Branding and alignment of opening hours will be used to create a ‘Heritage Trail’ to draw footfall up the valley from the more populated and tourist-focussed south of the area. Programme: Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens Project: 5.1 DALRY - CONNECTING EVERYONE TO OUR HERITAGE Lead Partner: St John’s Town of Dalry Community Council Activity: Signage, interpretation, shelters and trails in and around Dalry that allow users to better understand the natural and cultural heritage of the town and its surroundings. The project will develop the town Hall into an information hub to support and guide visitors around the attractions, including audio visual equipment which will be used to display a locally researched and recorded film about the heritage of Dalry. Information provided will focus on the Covenanters, the Natural History of Dalry and its status as ‘The Bird Town’, Donald Watson the local painter and Robert Burns. £148,000 Total project cost Match Funding Years of Activity Project Location To be secured, local windfarm funding identified Yr 1: Match funding secured Yrs 2-5: Project underway Various points around St Johns Town of Dalry 106 Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Consisting of a number of strands but focal points include the natural heritage (Dalry, the ‘Bird Town’) and the cultural heritage (Donald Watson, local wildlife painter). Raising public awareness of the natural and cultural heritage. Situated on the Southern Upland Way, Dalry doesn’t currently highlight the points of interest to visitors (and residents) There are a number of unique landscape features around Dalry to protect and highlight, including the Motte. Match funding Required, scheduled to begin in Year 2. Programme: Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens Project: 5.2 TOLBOOTH TALES: THE STORY OF LAW & ORDER Lead Partner: Dumfries & Galloway Council Activity: The Tolbooth is a much loved building in the middle of Kirkcudbright with a fascinating history including acting as the local jail, at one point holding John Paul Jones, credited as founder of the United States Navy. At present, the building’s first floor hosts an art exhibition which will soon move to the new Kirkcudbright galleries which are currently being built. This project will reinvent the Tolbooth building as a Museum of the Law and Order of Kirkcudbright, as the focal point for shipping and trade, and the wider Galloway Glens. The exhibition will explore the 400 year history of the Kirkcudbright Tolbooth and its place in the Stewartry. £37,050 Total project cost Match Funding To be secured, Museums & Galleries Scotland identified. Years of Activity Yr 1: Match funding secured Yr 2-3: project underway Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Tolbooth centre, Kirkcudbright The Tolbooth centre currently hosts an art exhibition and doesn’t sufficiently highlight its significance in local history Building will lose its art gallery activity with the opening of Kirkcudbright Galleries, an opportunity to focus on the heritage of the building itself. A broader focus, looking at the maritime activities of Kirkcudbright residents and the connection of the local landscape to global sea lanes. Departure point for emigres to the New World. Law and Order has had a significant impact on the local landscape through mechanisms such as land ownership and protection of assets. Match funding Required, scheduled to begin in Year 2. 107 Programme: Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens Project 5.3 CROSSMICHAEL COMMUNITY HERITAGE & LIVING HISTORY Lead Partner: Crossmichael Community Council Activity: A cultural and heritage centre in Crossmichael Church Hall, including elements in the Church and Churchyard, which will incorporate exhibitions, events, interactive displays and information and assistance for visitors and locals alike. This builds on previous informal heritage days that were significantly more successful than anticipated and highlighted a strong interest in Crossmichael’s local history, archives and position as a gateway to the Glenkens. The informal days had an employment and training focus which will be further developed through this new project. £60,000 Total project cost Match Funding To be secured, range of funders identified Years of Activity Yr 1: Match funding Secured Yrs 2-4: Project Underway Project Location Crossmichael Church Hall (also Church and Churchyard) Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Building on the success of ‘pop-up’ heritage days, highlighting the history and genealogy of the Crossmichael area to residents and visitors alike. Assisting in the sustainability of the Church Hall and giving a formal outlet for the Crossmichael archives. Archived maps and correspondence provide an insight into historical practices and the landscape of the time. Match funding Required, scheduled to begin in Year 2. Programme: Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens Project: 5.4 BALMACLELLAN – THE OLD SMIDDY Lead Partner: Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Activity: Renovation and refurbishment of the Old Smiddy at Balmaclellan into a multi-purpose Heritage and Community Hub for the Galloway Glens. A wide range of heritage focussed activities will be undertaken with individuals and groups from the local area and beyond. The hub will act as a satellite centre for the CatStrand, an extremely well established Arts Centre in New Galloway. It will include facilities that will support a whole range of other Galloway Glens projects and wider, such as information technology equipment and a recording studio. The construction of the building itself will be undertaken with a strong focus on the heritage building methods local to the area, acting as a demonstration site for apprentices engaged through the Education & Heritage Skills Programme. £323,395 Total project cost Match Funding Years of Activity Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? To be secured, range of funders identified, LEADER application underway Yr 1: Match funding secured Yrs 2-5: Project underway The Old Smiddy, Balmaclellan Construction itself will call upon local heritage building practices and the resulting building will act as a focal point for Balmaclellan heritage information 108 Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status and broader Glenkens/Galloway Glens activity including an improved understanding of the local heritage through video and audio recordings and creation. A dedicated Covenanter theme of activity. Balmaclellan currently host to a number of derelict or disused buildings, will contribute towards bringing communities of the Glenkens together. Regeneration of the centre of Balmaclellan, significant built heritage benefits. The project will act as a focal point for significant training and education activities taking place across the landscape. Match funding required, scheduled to begin in Year 2. 109 9.3.6 Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens The Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens is varied and subject to a unique set of forces for change, particularly connected to man’s impact on the environment. This programme of work comprises a suite of projects that aim to undertake practical improvement works as well as efforts to educate residents and visitors in the challenges facing the natural landscape. Projects such as ‘Peatland Connections’, ‘Greenland White Fronted Geese’ and ‘Natural Flood Management Facilitation’ will have national implications on policy and approach, while others such as the Red Squirrel Conservation project support targeted, on-the-ground work to protect flagship species of the area. Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project: 6.1 CONSERVATION OF RED SQUIRRELS Lead Partner: Glenkens Red Squirrel Group Activity: Monitoring, conservation and feeding of red squirrels, trapping of grey squirrels, and associated talks, demonstrations, school visits and outreach work to raise community awareness of the challenges faced by Red Squirrels and how the public can support this much loved species. This project will provide vital support to the Glenkens Red Squirrel Group which has built effective relationships with a range of local land owners and estate managers. In 2015 over 450 Grey Squirrels were culled in the area. This project aligns with, but is separate from, the broader ‘Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels’ project which will be providing some broader support and national cohesion to this issue. £22,600 Total project cost Match Funding Secured, Volunteer input Years of Activity Yrs: 1-5 Project Location Various, primarily across the Glenkens Connecting people to their heritage? The Red Squirrel is a key component of the local natural heritage, recently under threat from the arrival of Grey Squirrels. The group will recruit 110 volunteers and undertake a series of public events to highlight the measures that people can take to support red squirrels. Protection of a key local species Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status A vital flagship species and an important component of the local landscape is protected. Ready to start, pending HLF award Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project: 6.2 GREENLAND WHITE FRONTED GEESE Lead Partner: RSPB Scotland Activity: This project aims to raise awareness of these geese amongst local communities, local businesses and visitors and to produce pilot advisory farm plans with relevant famers for advocacy to the Scottish Government agriculture department. One of only two flocks in the whole of southern Scotland, with none in England; the Galloway Glens birds are therefore very special and merit conservation, promotion and celebration in the area. This project will achieve this through tagging and education work and targeted habitat improvements. £59,868 Total project cost Secured a mixture of in kind and cash funding from WWT and RSPB Scotland. Match Funding Yr 1: Project underway Years of Activity Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Various, based around Loch Ken An overlooked locally significant and rare species, this project will highlight its importance and allow people, through satellite tagging to track their migration. Balance between agricultural processes and local species Raising the profile of a rare and seasonally linked indicator of the local landscape Ready to start, pending HLF award Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project: 6.3 BLACK GROUSE HABITAT CREATION Lead Partner: RSPB Scotland Activity: This project will focus on creating and enhancing habitat for Black Grouse. It will also promote the species and this important work to key land managers, local people and visitors. Black grouse is an iconic species of high conservation priority, both in the area and nationally, and is a priority species for action in the Galloway and South Ayrshire Biosphere (G&SAB). In recent decades the population of Black Grouse in the area has declined due to forest canopy closure, but targeted restructuring and enhanced management now offers the opportunity to benefit this important species. It will also deliver outputs in key strategies including the Scottish, UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plans, G&SAB Natural Heritage Plan and the recently launched Southern Upland Black Grouse Partnership Action Plan. 111 Total project cost £115,807 Match Funding Secured, cash input from FES + RSPB Years of Activity Yrs: 1-3 Project underway Project Location Various, focussed in Galloway Forest Park Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Black Grouse are a good indicator of landscape change and an iconic species for the area. Support of a species under threat, highlighted in the ‘Black Grouse Conservation In Southern Scotland’ report. A landscape scale approach to habitat creation and species protection. Ready to start, pending HLF award. Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project: 6.4 KENMURE HOLMS IMPROVEMENTS Lead Partner: RSPB Scotland Activity: Improving access, interpretation and habitats at the Kenmure Holms Nature Reserve. This discrete site forms part of the broader ‘Ken-Dee Marshes’ nature reserve but has not benefitted from the attention, improvements and high profile of the southerly site near Balmaghie. The site does benefit from a location on the edge of New Galloway and therefore a strong public interest in access. The site is one of the few in Scotland to host the Willow Tit, and requires sensitive access work to ensure public access is managed and appropriate at this site. £12,104 Total project cost Match Funding Secured, cash funding from RSPB Years of Activity Yrs: 1-2 Project Location Kenmure Holms Nature Reserve, New Galloway Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Improved access will be installed, allowing the people of New Galloway and visitors to make better use of this nature reserve and better understand the natural heritage on the site, including the nationally rare Willow Tit. Highlight the visitor facilities in the area and increase accessibility to the natural heritage. The fragmented mosaic of habitats along the edge of the Loch Ken are represented through this project, contributing to the unique landscape Ready to start, pending HLF award. 112 Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project: 6.5 THREAVE NATURE RESERVE Lead Partner: National Trust for Scotland Activity: To develop the Threave nature reserve to create a wetlands habitat of national significance. NTS has had longstanding ambitions to develop a nature reserve and wider wetlands at Threave, hitherto delayed by lack of necessary resources. The Galloway Glens Development phase has allowed the production of a management plan which has collated and analysed existing survey data, identified clear aims and objectives, and produced an integrated programme of proposals to bring existing habitat into sympathetic management and develop new habitat and features. A series of pipe dams and flap valves will help control water levels to allow reintroduction of the grazing and mowing essential to restoring Threave's highly prized fen meadows to their former glory. Installation of a cattle bridge and gates to provide an escape route when the River Dee floods is also essential to allow reintroduction of grazing to a large field on the nature reserve, in which scrapes will be excavated to attract and support more wildlife, readily visible from existing hides. Pond creation and ditch reprofiling and realignment will also support more geese and wetlands birds on the nature reserve, while diversification of the cropping regime has been designed to provide complementary habitat for other birds and wildlife. £248,900 Total project cost Match Funding Secured, cash funding from NTS Years of Activity Yrs. 2-5: Project underway Project Location Threave estate The site benefits from good travel links, proximity to Castle Douglas and high public visibility. This project will increase and broaden the range of species and habitats on the site increasing visitors’ interaction with the Natural Heritage. A flagship site in the area, with good visitor infrastructure already in place, would benefit from opportunities to increase the wetlands + nature reserve. A landscape scale approach to wetland creation, with the connection to the activity of the river. Funding secured, pending HLF award. Scheduled for start in Year 2. Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project: 6.6 BLACK WATER OF DEE RESTORATION Lead Partner: Galloway Fisheries Trust Activity: This project aims to restore native fish populations (salmon and trout) which will benefit the overall angling resource of the River Dee catchment particularly within the Black Water of Dee and the river fishery from Loch Ken down to Tongland. The project will utilise, train and educate a core team of volunteers from the surrounding area which is expected to include individuals from across the entire catchment and beyond. Work will be focussed on the river banks of the Black Water of Dee and have been identified and detailed through a feasibility study undertaken in the development phase that supports the proposed activities. £91,750 Total project cost 113 Match Funding To be secured, range of funders identified Years of Activity Yr 1: Match funding secured Yrs. 2-5: Project Underway Project Location Black Water of Dee (between Clatteringshaws and Loch Ken) Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status The Natural Heritage will be better managed and as the activity is undertaken by volunteers, it will upskill and engage local people in the issues surrounding water quality and fish populations in the rivers. Salmon were known to be in the river historically, with comments made through the consultation period about the particular numbers in the Black Water of Dee. This project will not directly restock the river but will improve the habitats to a level that should encourage salmon into the river. A broader approach to improve the habitat of this section of the river. The presence of fish, and the species supported by their availability contributes to the local landscape. Match funding Required, scheduled to begin in Year 2. Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project: 6.7 BARHILL WOODS, KIRKCUDBRIGHT Lead Partner: Kirkcudbright Development Trust Activity: To bring the Barhill Woods under Community Management and develop it for both community use and as a tourist resource. Barhill Woods is the iconic natural backdrop to Kirkcudbright and is used by many local members of the community for recreation. There is no view of the town which does not include the backdrop of the Barhill Wood and this project aims to allow the community to take on management of this resource and develop it to its fullest potential through activities including: creation of an outdoor classroom, native planting, woodlot management, track improvement and bird hides. £73,450 Total project cost Match Funding To be secured, range of funders identified Years of Activity Yr. 1: Match Funding Secured Yrs. 2-5: Project underway Project Location Barhill Woods, Kirkcudbright Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status A very well visited area of woodland on the edge of Kirkcudbright, this project will seek to actively manage the site to maximise the biodiversity and amenity opportunities. The woodland is felt to suffer from lack of active management at present, with no educational resources. This project will protect and develop the woodland site which acts as a backdrop to the town at present, forming a prominent feature of the local landscape. Match funding Required, scheduled to begin in Year 2. 114 Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project: 6.8 PEATLAND CONNECTIONS Lead Partner: Crichton Carbon Centre Activity: This project aims to highlight the significance of Galloway peatlands and, using a demonstrator site beside the Southern Upland Way, trial a new framework to be used to revert areas of forestry back to peatlands, highlighting the resulting water quality, biodiversity and carbon balance benefits. These capital works will be supported by a suite of public engagement/artistic activities highlighting the importance and relevance of peatlands. The work will support national considerations regarding peatlands and their use as carbon sinks and habitats for biodiversity. The project will work with the Carbon Landscape LP and Pendle Hill LP to align the peatland activities on a national scale. £301,609 Total project cost Application submitted to Peatland Action, decision expected early 2018. Match Funding Yr 1: Match funding secured Yrs. 2-5: project underway Beggars Moss site for peatland improvement work, various for artistic activities Years of Activity Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Peatlands have had a significant influence on the cultural and natural heritage of the Galloway Glens Area, guiding settlement patterns, land use and also influencing factors such as the flooding in the river. This project will celebrate their significance both locally and nationally. Queries raised about the amount of forestry on areas of deep peat in the valley and the impact of land use on issues such as flooding experienced. This project will result in physical landscape changes on the demonstrator site but aims to also initiate broader landscape considerations as a result of peatlands becoming more significant in people's understanding of landscape. Scheduled to begin Year 2 but could get underway sooner pending HLF approval and Peatland Action approval Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project: 6.9 FISH LOCH KEN Lead Partner: Galloway Glens Scheme Activity: Building on the findings of the Loch Ken Fishery Study, this suite of work will aim to support the fish stocks in the loch and the associated infrastructure to support fishing activity. Work will focus on 1) Good Governance (ongoing surveys + Loch Ken Fishery management plan, improved enforcement) 2) Promotion and Availability of the resource (Improved access to fishing pegs, creation of new fishing pegs, artificial spawning habitats, development of a ‘Loch Ken Passport’) 3) Biosecurity (biosecurity stations, interpretation). £159,150 Total project cost Match Funding To be secured, range of funders identified Years of Activity Yr 1: Match funding secured Yrs. 2-5: project underway Project Location Around Loch Ken 115 Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status Allowing people to access the fishing resource of the loch, with associated connection to the natural heritage. Strong consultation feedback seeking clarification of fish stocks in the loch and the impact of American Signal Crayfish, a non-native invasive species. Fishery management plan and other governance work will provide broader landscape benefits. The sustainability of Loch Ken as a fishery is an important factor in the support of surrounding communities and the wider hospitality sector. Match funding required, scheduled to begin in Year 2. Programme: Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project: 6.10 NATURAL FLOOD MANAGEMENT FACILITATION Lead Partner: Galloway Glens Scheme Activity: Based on the recommendations of the Natural Flood Management Study undertaken through the Development phase and in line with best practice guidance from partners including SEPA, D&G Council’s Flood Team and Tweed Forum, this project will take a long-term and sustainable approach to the introduction and undertaking of Natural Flood Management measures in the Ken-Dee valley. The project, supported by 0.2fte of the Land Management & Access Officers time will build on relationships initiated in the Development phase to introduce the Natural Flood Management approach across the complex and fragmented land ownership of the Galloway Glens area, provide necessary specialist NFM expertise in undertaking the work identified and then record and publish a consolidated overview of NFM measures in place and the projected impact of these works. £60,000 Total project cost Match Funding Secured Years of Activity Yrs. 1-5: Project underway Project Location Connecting people to their heritage? Consultation comments Landscape implications? Status North and west of Carsphairn primarily, but also above Clatteringshaws and near New Galloway. Areas and opportunities identified through development stage study. The work will be highlighted through an accompanying education theme of activity, both advertising the work taking place and managing expectations about the level of benefit that will be achieved. Following Storm Frank in December 2015, the issue of flooding is an emotive subject which has been raised a number of times through the consultation period. Work will take account of the Landscape Character Assessment as it is important that the project does not materially alter the landscape from that in place at present. Works must be sympathetic to the surroundings and will often involve the reverting of areas back to historic land use. Ready to start, pending HLF award. 116 9.4 Reserve Projects A number of projects remain in reserve to accommodate any queries or variations encountered in the headline scheme. An overview of reserve projects as at August 2017 is provided for information: Project Title Activity Muirdrochwood Community Woodland Following the planned purchase of the wood, work will take place to develop educational and amenity facilities on site. Further sites developed than those forming part of the ‘Out and About’ project. Viewpoints & Improvements include visitor facilities and Stopping Places vegetation management, as outlined in the access audit (21 in total). Approx £15,000 per site. Facilitating increased use of core paths, as Core Path outlined in the access audit (9 in total). Improvement Approx £5,000 per site. Natural Flood Work identified in the Feasibility study but Management - deemed too expensive when compared to Implementation other projects under consideration. The Landscape Character Assessment Hedgerow Tree highlights the importance of local Planting hedgerows, for biodiversity and landscape Support Grant impact. These are in poor condition in places across the Scheme area. Lead Partner Total Cost Carsphairn Community Trust £350,000 D&G Council £255,000 D&G Council £45,000 D&G Council £150,000 D&G Council £50,000 KENMURE CASTLE, with Loch Ken in the background 117 9.5 Project Locations It is important that the Galloway Glens Scheme retains the landscape scale approach that it has created during the Development phase. The projects proposed through the scheme are located throughout the Scheme area, each supporting the identified challenges and landscape forces for change. Each project will be aware of and must support others. In previous sections, the projects are mapped by programme. The following map combines this information into a single overview of the proposed work, using key sites for each project, where applicable. 118 9.6 ‘Our Heritage’ - A Small Grant Scheme It is proposed that a Small Grants Scheme, named ‘Our Heritage’, will operate through the Delivery phase to support any smaller projects ideas that are received or arise from Galloway Glens activity. These grants will extend the reach of the Scheme further still, both in activity and relationships made. There is a 5 year budget of £100,000 and has been discussed in depth by the Partnership Board through the development phase. While acknowledging that the criteria and profile of the scheme will be under regular review by the Partnership Board, the current proposal is as follows: 9.6.1 • • • • • • • • • • 9.6.2 • • • • • • • • 9.6.3 • • • • ‘Our Heritage’ - Criteria Project Criteria: All projects must “connect people and communities to their heritage” Project activity must not be a statutory responsibility and should provide clear additional benefit Applicant must be a constituted, not-for-profit organisation Project should not have started yet and should seek to complete within 24 months of start. All projects must be complete by the completion of the broader Scheme. Revenue or capital expenditure is acceptable Activity should primarily benefit the Galloway Glens project area Activity should align with or support activities through the main GG Scheme Galloway Glens input must be acknowledged. Criteria to be reviewed after first year of operation or £20,000 of expenditure, whichever is sooner. ‘Our Heritage’ - Decision making The GG Heritage Small Grant Scheme management committee will meet every six months Management committee of 5 people appointed by the Partnership board, reviewed annually. Chairman of Management Committee has to be a member of the Partnership Board Quorum for meetings of 3, including the chairman. Administration & Secretariat by GG Staff Management committee are delegated decision making power by the Partnership Board. Management committee includes representatives of Cultural, Built & Natural Heritage. Annual report provided to the Partnership Board ‘Our Heritage’ - Funding profile Maximum award of £5,000 There is no maximum total project cost, final decision rests with the management committee There is no maximum intervention rate (i.e. could be 100%) Generally, 10% of award retained until completion of project. 119 9.7 Contacts with other Landscape Partnerships The scheme has benefitted from contact with other landscape partnerships through the Development phase, and we are grateful for their input and support. These relationships will continue and develop through the delivery phase. Of particular interest are: Landscape Partnership The Carbon Landscape Partnership & Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership Cumnock & Doon Valley Landscape Partnership Connection opportunity Discussion underway about the combination of the Peatland and Carbon balance projects being pursued to support a joint symposium in Year 3 (approx. 2021) The Cumnock & Doon Valley Landscape Partnership area borders the Galloway Glens Scheme to the North and opportunities are being explored to align the Place Names activity. S.R.CROCKETT’S GRAVE Balmaghie Churchyard c,Stuart Littlewood 120 9.8 Delivery Stage Administration 9.8.1 Overview As the scheme moves from ‘Development’ to ‘Delivery’, it is planned that a number of staff be recruited to co-ordinate and drive the scheme centrally. A primary objective of each member of staff will be to ensure that the broader Landscape Scale benefits are achieved and maximised. Galloway Glens Staff are either classed as 1) ‘Core GG Staff’, working centrally for the Scheme and employed through the Scheme administration or 2) ‘Project Staff’, with a dedicated focus on a particular project. 9.8.2 Core GG Scheme staff The proposed core Galloway Glens staff through the delivery phase are as follows: Years 1 to 5 (2018 - 2023) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 ROLE FTE Years in post Scheme Manager 1 5 Project Officer 1 4.5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0.6 4.5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 1 4.5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0.8 4.5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 1 5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Heritage Skills & Training Officer Education & Community Engagement Officer Land Management + Access Officer Finance & Administration Officer 0 to 0.5 0.5 to 1 1 to 1.5 1.5 to 2 2 to 2.5 2.5 to 3 3 to 3.5 3.5 to 4 4 to 4.5 4.5 to 5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y The delay in recruitment of a number of roles until the second half of Year One is due in part to the reduced levels of project activity in Year One but also recognition of the fact that the staff will be recruited through D&G Council’s recruitment process, with the associated administrative delays. An important focus of the Scheme Manager and Finance & Administration Officer during the first six months will be to maintain Scheme momentum. All staff will report to the Scheme Manager. The Scheme Manager will be primarily responsible to the Partnership Board but will have day-to-day line-management by D&G Council’s Environment Team. It is proposed that office accommodation be sourced in the Scheme area to allow the team to be onhand to address any issues encountered. Initial discussions have already taken place for budgeting purposes, with offices identified in Castle Douglas. 121 9.8.3 Core Staff - Roles The job description for each of the core staff is attached in the Appendix but key responsibilities are outlined as follows: 9.8.3.1 Scheme Manager (1 fte) Key responsibilities include: • Responsibility for motivation, line management and output from the GG Scheme Core staff • Ensure maximum benefits and outcomes are achieved from all activities and ensure alignment with the Landscape Conservation Action Plan; • Manage the Scheme budget, monitor income and expenditure, provide regular reports to Board and Funders; and • Co-ordinate the monitoring and evaluation efforts of the individual projects and the overall scheme. 9.8.3.2 Project Officer (1fte) Key responsibilities include: • Work with project lead partners and other involved parties to carry out projects set out in the LCAP, seeking maximum positive legacy from work undertaken • Support efforts to secure relevant match funding as required • Work closely with other members of the GG Scheme team to ensure all project and broader scheme events complement and support the Scheme aims. • Manage any potential variations from planned delivery stage, and where necessary to seek relevant approvals of variations. • Ensure all projects are undertaken in accordance with all statutory requirements • Support and develop Legacy & Sustainability mechanisms to ensure long term legacy of projects is protected 9.8.3.3 Heritage Skills & Training Officer (0.6 fte) Key responsibilities include: • Manage Hands on Heritage, Future Custodians and Galloway Glens Awards • Support efforts to secure relevant match funding as required • Support the Education & Community Engagement Officer when required • Work closely with other members of the GG Scheme team to ensure all project and broader scheme events complement and support the Scheme aims. 9.8.3.4 Education & Community Engagement Officer (1 fte) Key responsibilities include: • Manage the Galloway Glens Explorers, John Muir Awards, Community Activities and Galloway Glens Business Academy Projects. • Support the Heritage Skills & Training Officer when required. • Work closely with other members of the GG Scheme team to ensure all project and broader scheme events complement and support the Scheme aims. • Utilise and maximise the benefits from the Galloway Glens Communications Strategy and Interpretation Strategy. 122 • Manage Scheme communications activity including Scheme website, social media, newsletters and media contact. 9.8.3.5 Land Management & Access Officer (0.6 fte) Key responsibilities include: • Manage the Accessing the Galloway Glens Scheme programme of work • Explore and develop additional access opportunities that may arise throughout the Delivery stage • Ensure access projects are carried out to the highest quality and with the best possible long term legacy. • Work closely with other members of the GG Scheme team to ensure all project and broader scheme events complement and support the Scheme aims. 9.8.3.6 Finance & Administration Officer (1 fte) Key responsibilities include: • Establish and manage a financial management and reporting system for the initiative covering cash, in-kind and volunteering contributions; • Maintain paper and electronic filing systems; • Liaise with partners over financial reporting; and • Manage invoices and grant claims. • General Scheme administration as necessary. 9.8.4 Project Staff 9.8.4.1 Responsibilities A number of the projects under consideration include an element of staff time, either self-employed and procured through the project itself or employed by project partners. The Scheme recognises the need for dedicated project staff, often with specialist skillsets, and is keen to support this accordingly on a project-by-project basis. It is critical that any staff employed for an individual project recognise their involvement in the broader scheme. Accordingly each job description will specify: 1 The need to attend the monthly (suggested) Galloway Glens Staff meeting 2 The need to provide, if required, support to other projects and staff of the Galloway Glens Scheme 3 The requirement that each project acknowledges its inclusion as part of the broader Landscape Scale scheme. 4 The acknowledgement and inclusion of the Scheme branding and input in any media contact. 9.8.4.2 Overview of proposed Project staff The proposed project staff are summarised in the following table to give, in addition to the core GG staff, an overview of the total staffing planned through the Delivery phase of the scheme. The costs, years of activity and details for each of these are included in the project plans and all staff will be supported by the GG Core team. 123 Programme Project Understanding the Galloway Glens 1.1 Community Archaeology programme Understanding the Galloway Glens 1.3 Place Names of the Galloway Glens Education and Skills in the Galloway Glens 2.8 Biosphere Explorers Education and Skills in the Galloway Glens 2.10 Ken Words – Linking Landscape & people Visiting the Galloway Glens 3.1 Loch Ken: Alive Visiting the Galloway Glens 3.2 The Galloway Glens Experience Accessing the Galloway Glens 4.7 Canoe Trail Heritage Hubs in the Galloway Glens 5.3 Crossmichael Community Heritage & Living History The Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens The Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens The Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens Project Staff The project will include an element of specialist archaeological expertise that will be contracted in to support the programme of work. Glasgow University will be responsible for employing a Place Names expert (Toponymist) Crichton Carbon Centre will employ an officer to lead on the workshop activities. (Potentially the same person to work on the Peatland Connection project) Glenkens Community & Arts Trust will appoint a part time project co-ordinator with dedicated literature/prose expertise D&G Council, (Supported by the Loch Ken Management Advisory Committee) will appoint the Loch Ken Officer to drive this project. Southern Upland Partnership will appoint a project officer to lead on this project with business experience and contacts in the local business community. A project manager will be appointed to manage this complex project A work experience co-ordinator to oversee the use of volunteers through the project and ensure the maximum heritage and interpretation skills obtained by participants 6.3 Black Grouse Habitat Creation RSPB Scotland will appoint the Black Grouse Officer. 6.5 Threave Nature Reserve NTS will appoint a project manager to oversee the project 6.8 Peatland Connections Crichton Carbon Centre will appoint a Peatland Connections Officer (Potentially the same person to work on the Biosphere Explorers project) The roles outlined above are largely part time positions for only discrete years of the delivery phase. This will allow individuals to fulfil a number of them simultaneously if necessary and beneficial to all projects. 9.8.5 Getting the right people Recruitment of Core GG Staff will make use of D&G Council’s recruitment policy. All roles will be publicly advertised and subject to formal interview. Core GG Staff will work with and support partners in the recruitment of the new Project roles, and a GG representative will be on the interview/appointment panel in each case. The successful staffing of the roles will be a vital contributor to the success of the scheme, also supporting the legacy of the Delivery phase through training and work experience. It is vital to ensure that all staff are fully introduced to the vision and aims of the broader scheme, and therefore become local advocates for the community based and tailored approach to partnership working. 124 It is intended that the Core GG Staff will be supported by a work experience programme to allow local young people to get hands on experience in a heritage project of this size, supporting the skills and training activities and objectives of the scheme further. 9.9 Project Development 9.9.1 Development Phase 88 Projects were submitted to the Galloway Glens team during the Development phase, plus more from the commissioned studies. Using the structured review and selection process, this list was refined to those presented in the document. At all points in the review process, projects were developed to the fullest level achievable, and this gave the Partnership Board the information they needed to make good decisions. Some projects were found to encounter irresolvable issues or would not fit the timescale of the Delivery phase. In such cases, the projects were regretfully declined. We are therefore able to submit this Stage 2 application with a high level of comfort and confidence about the programmes and schedule proposed. 9.9.2 Project Management All individual projects will be managed by a legal agreement between D&G Council (as the Scheme’s accountable body) and the lead partner, referred to as the ‘Project Management Agreement’. Projects will not be permitted to start until this is in place. An example Project Management Agreement is attached in the appendix, setting out responsibilities of all parties, payment processes and reporting requirements. This has been reviewed and supported by D&G Council’s legal department. The Scheme will take a constructive and positive approach to any issues encountered but will be supported by D&G Council’s legal department in the event of any dispute. 9.9.3 At the point of Stage 2 submission All projects identified as ‘Year One Start’ have all match funding secured at August 2017. Most project management agreements are in place at the point of stage 2 submission. All will be obtained by the point of stage 2 decision. As such, they can commence immediately if the Delivery phase is approved. In addition to these ‘Year One Start’ projects, a number of projects formally scheduled to start in Year 2 have funding applications underway and are keen to start as soon as possible. If these applications are successful then approval will be sought to bring these into Year one. This includes: Ken Words Festival, Barhill Woods and Peatland Connections. 9.9.4 Getting underway Year One does include project activity (as outlined in the Cashflow and activities will also include the appointment of staff, the setting up of the office and a significant focus on securing match funding required for the individual projects to get underway. 125 Years 2,3 and 4 can be summarised as the main years of project activity, with Year 5 aiming to wind down the Scheme activity, assess outcomes and achievements and focus on the evaluation of the Scheme and long term legacy and sustainability of the projects. 9.10 Delivery Stage Governance 9.10.1 Overview The following figure gives an overview of Scheme governance proposed in the delivery stage. This will be subject to regular review by the Partnership Board, with the potential for additional working or task groups as appropriate. The Delivery stage Partnership Agreement (attached in appendix) provides a strategic focus to activities, to clarify roles and responsibilities of the partners and supports the clear governance procedures established in the Development phase. Quarterly Partnership Board meetings will be held through the Delivery stage to allow partners to keep abreast of progress and retain a strategic overview of the scheme. 126 9.10.2 GG Governance Steering Group More detailed governance of the Development stage will be provided by a Galloway Glens Governance Steering Group which will meet monthly and provide day to day oversight of the Scheme Manager and wider team. The Steering Group will consist of the Chairman of the Partnership board, Scheme Manager, two other members of the Partnership board and a relevant Service Manager from D&G Council, the accountable body for purposes of the Scheme. 9.10.3 Accountable Body It was agreed at D&G Council’s Economy, Environment & Infrastructure Committee meeting on 13 September 2016 that D&G Council would act as the Scheme’s accountable body. This a great boost for the scheme as it assists with Cash flow implications and also provides benefits such as financial and administrative support. 9.10.4 Procurement All procurement activity, whether undertaken by the GG Core staff or project partners will be in line with D&G Council and HLF requirements . In keeping with the community partnership approach successfully employed so far, the Partnership Board will take a project-by-project approach to who will lead on each project; this will include commissioning works, procurement, making payments to contractors and co-ordinating evidence for central consideration (and resultant HLF Claim). This will depend on the capacity of the lead partner in each case. 9.10.5 HLF Claims HLF Claims will be timetabled quarterly through the Delivery phase, co-ordinated centrally by GG Core Staff. A final payment (of at least 10% of total project cost) will only be made to each project after completion of project, confirmation that conditions have been met and the relevant acknowledgements have been displayed. LOCH KEN FROM BALMAGHIE CHURCHYARD | Crossmichael in the distance c,Stuart Littlewood 127 9.10.6 Management & Maintenance The Partnership Board has discussed the potential for a Management & Maintenance budget to support activity and sustainability in the five years following delivery stage completion. The need for this must be balanced against the fact that use of this option to cover sustainability and legacy in years 5-10 after delivery starts reduces the peak of maximum activity during the delivery phase as a result. Following consideration and feedback from other landscape partnerships, it is suggested that the Scheme retains a small Management & Maintenance budget of £50,000 for allocation to support completed projects that have either grown beyond originally envisaged or unforeseen sustainability aspects have been encountered. This has been earmarked based on an assessment of the projects under consideration, using specialist input from sources including the Council’s Access Team and project partners. Allocation of this budget will be based on a case-by-case assessment of need in year 5 of the delivery phase. A proposed allocation of these funds is included on the forecast income and expenditure for the scheme for the five years following completion, attached in the supporting documentation. 9.10.7 Management of Risk The Partnership Board and all staff involved in the scheme will have a strong focus on managing and reducing risk through the Delivery stage. The Scheme is very fortunate to have the support from D&G Council on this front. The assessment of risk will be on a Scheme wide level and on a project-by-project basis. A Scheme risk register has been established (attached in appendix), subject to regular review by the Partnership Board. A project risk register will be maintained by the GG Core Staff for each project to monitor and control risk. The Delivery stage is likely to be undertaken against a backdrop of national political and constitutional change as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. The Partnership Board aim to closely monitor implications this has on the scheme, exploiting opportunities and protecting against challenges encountered. 9.10.8 Contingency Some projects are very well developed and so the requirement for contingency is less, whereas others (e.g. Crossmichael Community Heritage & Living History) retain a discrete contingency on a project level due to the project itself and following recommendation of the GG Team in light of the relative inexperience of partners involved. Other projects, such as the Education & Heritage Skills programme are able to refine the scope of works to suit the available funding if costs were to unexpectedly increase. Inflation has been acknowledged when budgeting staff costs and all projects have been assessed. It is hoped that the central contingency will not be required, and the GG Team are confident about the costs cited, but it has been deemed appropriate by the Partnership Board to retain an overall scheme contingency. This contingency is approximately 4% of the overall scheme costs and based on experience form similar schemes this is felt to be appropriate. 128 9.10.9 Asset register The Galloway Glens Staff will maintain an asset register to record all assets purchased through the scheme. Assets valued at less than £3,000 will be subject to straight line depreciation over three years. More valuable assets will have a bespoke asset management regime in place. This will maximise the long term benefits from the scheme and will form part of the legacy discussions at the end of the delivery phase. THE GALLOWAY GLENS TENT AT THE 2016 STEWARTRY SHOW 9.10.10 Full Cost Recovery ‘Full Cost Recovery’ (FCR) is a method used by organisations to capture the total cost of undertaking an activity, for instance when using a member of staff including the salary and the proportion of the organisation’s core costs that support that member of staff. The delivery phase of the scheme does not use full cost recovery principles often, usually proposing that work is secured through tendering by external companies or self-employed persons. Where full cost recovery processes have been used, they are in line with industry best practice and have been calculated using comparable methods to similar schemes. The detailed assessment of full cost recovery considerations is included in the Appendix. 9.10.11 Cashflow The Cashflow considerations of the Scheme have been considered in detail and are projected on the Scheme Cashflow. The Scheme is very fortunate to be run through D&G Council’s financial position and so is able to absorb the cashflow implications proposed. 9.10.12 Membership of Professional Organisations The Galloway Glens Scheme will aim to keep abreast of developments in the Landscape community, with membership for selected staff of the Landscape Research Group, a charity working to promote greater understanding of our landscape. 129 10.1 Scheme Budget 10.1.1 Stage One Application The Stage One application was based on a total scheme cost of £5,180,337, consisting of five years of concentrated activity to engage and connect people and communities to their natural, cultural and built heritage. The HLF grant was on a 53% intervention basis, a maximum of £2,730,200. This framework has been maintained through the Development phase and so the Stage 2 application is in line with this overall budget and the HLF intervention rate remains at 53%. The Partnership Board remain confident that the core Scheme activities cited in this LCAP will lead to spin off benefits and potentially projects above and beyond the scheme itself but these are excluded from the core consideration and inclusion in the LCAP at this time for simplicity and Stage 2 consideration purposes. 10.1.2 Delivery Stage Budget Scheme Staff will be tasked with continuing to expand the ambition of the scheme and seek opportunities to maximise the benefits that result. The following table gives a headline summary of the overall scheme budget, broken down by programme of activity and by year. This is a summary of the Cashflow forecast included in the Appendix. Activity Total Cost Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Understanding the Galloway Glens £281,976 £44,926 £70,365 £52,074 £42,191 £72,420 Education & Heritage Skills in the Galloway Glens £589,329 £20,917 £164,125 £148,007 £131,390 £124,890 Visiting the Galloway Glens £569,751 £0 £303,481 £95,220 £113,250 £57,800 £479,391 £14,450 £245,591 £193,650 £23,700 £2,000 £568,445 £0 £343,445 £180,750 £27,500 £16,750 Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens £1,145,238 £80,261 £240,735 £383,892 £364,960 £75,390 ‘Our Heritage’ Small Grants Scheme £100,000 £20,000 £20,000 £20,000 £20,000 £20,000 GG Core Staff Costs £996,000 £145,478 £212,631 £212,631 £212,630 £212,630 Admin Costs £208,500 £37,150 £33,150 £44,650 £43,650 £49,900 Maintenance & management Fund £50,000 Contingency £191,707 £38,341 £38,341 £38,341 £38,342 £38,342 Total £5,180,337 £401,523 £1,671,864 £1,369,215 £1,017,613 £720,122 Accessing the Galloway Glens Heritage Hubs of the Galloway Glens £50,000 130 10.2 Match Funding Aside from the HLF funding, Scheme funding is coming from a range of sources to make up the other 47% of £5,180,337. This funding is either classed as ‘cash’, or ‘non-cash’, made up of volunteer time or in kind funding provided by partners. An overview is as follows, highlighting any variance from the Stage 1 application: Input HLF Contribution Match funding ‘Cash’ (secured Stage 1 application, (May 2015) Stage 2 Proposal, August 2017 Percentage at Stage 1 Percentage at Stage 2 Variance £2,730,200 (0% variance) £2,730,200 53% 53% 0% £2,190,137 £2,203,052 42% 42% <1% £260,000 £247,085 5% 5% <1% £5,180,337 £5,180,337 + required) Match funding ‘Non-Cash’ Total Scheme cost 0% 10.2.1 Match Funding – Cash The Scheme has adopted an ‘ambitious yet realistic’ approach to fundraising, detailed further in the Fundraising Strategy. The Scheme is working with project partners to approach the most suitable and appropriate funding sources for the work proposed. The Scheme is very fortunate to have an element of support from D&G Council, which will be used to notionally match fund the staff costs and scheme administration costs, allowing the proposed staff to be recruited immediately. An additional portion of funding from D&G Council has been secured towards a number of access projects. A key role for all staff, particularly in Year one, will be to identify and undertake fundraising applications, supporting the Fundraising Strategy. At the time of Stage 2 submission (August 2017), the Scheme had secured £968,732 towards the delivery stage target of £2,203,052, equating to 44% of Cash required. A detailed summary of match funding and the strategy to secure it is in the Galloway Glens Fundraising Strategy, detailed in the appendix. 10.2.2 Match Funding – ‘Non Cash’ The Stage one application cited £260,000 as the projected value of ‘non-cash’ funding, consisting of £160,000 of volunteer time and £160,000 of in-kind funding from partners. The Stage 2 application has reduced this overall level fractionally, from 5.01% to 4.7% of the total Scheme value. 131 The split between in-kind funding from partners and volunteer time has been revised as a result of the consultation efforts and the development of the scheme. The Partnership Board are keen for the stage 2 application to align tightly with the stage one proposal and so on a number of projects, such as 4.5 Exploring the Glenkens or 6.1 Conservation of Red Squirrels, the volunteer time is considered to be above and beyond the core scheme activities. Therefore projected volunteer activities undertaken through the Scheme’s delivery phase are very conservative and likely to be much larger, but the ‘value’ of this volunteer effort has not been used for match funding purposes. This means that the Scheme as a whole will have, if anything, a larger measurable benefit than just the cash figures cited. Volunteer time included in the budgeting process has been calculated using the approved HLF rates of: • professional services, up to £350 a day • skilled labour, £150 a day and • unskilled labour, £50 a day The proportion of in-kind funding from partners has increased to balance this decrease in volunteer activity claimed as match funding. This has been monitored on a case-by-case basis and has only been accepted by the project team when the specialism on offer either adds clear value to the project or cannot be replaced from elsewhere. Projects such as the 1.3 Place Names of the Galloway Glens gain clear benefit from the involvement of Glasgow University and their expertise and so have been included. 10.3 Year One Projects 10.3.1 Project funding Acknowledging HLF requirements, all Year One projects are fully funded at the time of this Stage 2 submission. Any updates on the funding situation during the HLF assessment period will be advised to HLF staff for information. If funding applications are successful then it might allow currently scheduled year 2 projects to be brought forward. If this is possible then it will be discussed with HLF and approval sought before any amends are made to the plan of delivery. 10.3.2 Consents All necessary consents have been received for Year One projects 132 10.4 Changes since the Stage One bid There have been a number of changes since the first round bid, primarily due to the level of consultation undertaken during the Development phase. 10.4.1 Changes to the Overall Scheme The most significant change is a more balanced focus between the natural and cultural/built heritage. Feedback received from HLF after the stage one application highlighted an emphasis on the GREENLAW HOUSE CIRCA 1800 an excerpt from DGNHAS Transactions Third Series Volume 10 (1922-23) about the Gordons of Greenlaw- The Culvennan Writs by R C Reid Natural Heritage. This point was endorsed by the Partnership Board. Throughout the Development stage, efforts were made to draft a delivery plan that had a better balance between the natural and cultural/built heritage. 10.4.2 Changes to projects On a project level, there are a number of additions and omissions from the Stage One bid. The Stage One project listing was drawn together only on an indicative basis and as a result of the Development phase, a number of changes have been made. The revised project listing constitutes the six programmes of activity outlined in Chapter 9 ‘What are we going to do?’ Omissions from Stage one are either due to the results of studies commissioned or project development work. 133 Notable project omissions from the Stage One application include the following: Project Why Omitted Migratory Fish Easement This project sought to remove barriers from the river (primarily as part of the hydro scheme) to support migratory fish such as Salmon and Eels. It had been proposed that a study be undertaken in the development phase to explore this further but a number of licencing and statutory requirements were encountered that prevented the study taking place and any resulting project. Water Quality With the Scheme focussed on the river system, it had been hoped that a project could be included in the delivery phase to improve water quality. Scheme staff worked closely with SEPA but unfortunately the development stage coincided with a re-evaluation of the Ken/Dee watercourse, classifying the river as a having water quality issues and therefore making any water quality improvements a statutory responsibility. The potential for a water quality project will remain under review. Kelton Mains, Threave The Stage One application included a significant project focussing on the redevelopment of the former farm house on the Threave Estate. This project has not been progressed due to other priorities and the stronger Threave Wetlands Reserve project. Renewables Project Proposals for a renewables project were included in the stage one bid, but during the development phase it was agreed that this would not be developed further due to: • Site limitations • Local grid limitations • Current level of renewables activity • Availability of funding from Scottish Government Forestry Policy The Scheme has benefitted from the input and support of Forestry Commission Scotland, including a formal representative on the Partnership Board. It was hoped that a project could be included in the delivery stage to engage the local population with forestry practices and policy, improving the consultation process for all parties. Unfortunately this idea could not be developed but it is hoped that GG Staff in the delivery stage will support and develop local understanding on this topic and it will form part of other projects. Reintroduction of Arctic Charr Not recommended following review undertaken through the Development phase, as outlined in the appendix. While these projects are not being developed formally, it is still expected that some of the benefits sought can be achieved more generally through the proposed Scheme activity. 134 134 11.1 Overview The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme will focus on five years of delivery activity. From the initial discussions through to the formal Development phase, a strong focus has been how the impact of the scheme will be measured and how the legacy of the work will be maintained and protected following completion. This section gives an overview of the activities in this area and will remain under review throughout the Delivery stage. Best practice guidance will be used by the Scheme staff to inform their work, including HLF’s ‘A lasting difference for heritage and people’. 11.2 Measuring Success During the development phase, baseline data was established on a project-by-project basis. This tailored approach acknowledged the unique qualities and aims of each project, both on a quantitative and a qualitative basis. These individual assessments have been combined with other inputs such as the HLF measurement requirements and overall scheme data to create the Galloway Glens Scheme Evaluation Framework. This will remain under review by Delivery Stage staff and will be a regular item at Partnership board meetings through the delivery stage, allowing projects that are not yielding the anticipated outcomes to be supported, reassessed or subject to revised evaluation. The Evaluation Audit, already underway, will result in a published report, used to support the drafting of the ultimate ‘Conclusions’ section of the LCAP. This will involve regular review and honest appraisal of work underway. The Galloway glens Development Officer and the Evaluation Audit consultant aim to hold an evaluation meeting with all projects in Autumn 2017. (It is acknowledged that this will be ‘at risk’ pending decision from HLF). This will serve a number of purposes, specifically: • Retaining scheme focus and momentum during the scheme appraisal period • Ensuring the evaluation aspect and discussions receive suitable attention and focus. Scheme staff will develop and continue to refine the approach to exploit connections and relationships that develop during the Delivery phase, particularly looking at spin off benefits from the heritage focussed activity – i.e. health & wellbeing benefits experienced by volunteers, economic benefits to the area and supporting sustainable communities. 11.3 Scheme Projects 11.3.1 Sustainability Each project has included a legacy consideration, as detailed in the project plans. These considerations will be stipulated in the Project Management Agreements drafted to govern activity through the delivery phase. One of the strongest legacies from the Scheme will be in the increased range of experiences, skills and knowledge of the people of the area. This has been acknowledged through the extensive 135 consultation efforts to date which have garnered significant local ‘buy-in’ and support from the residents and visitors to the area. The Scheme will harness this enthusiasm to assist the more formal sustainability efforts and support each project following scheme completion. 11.3.2 Management & Maintenance Fund The Scheme will retain a Management & Maintenance Fund that will be allocated by the Partnership Board in Year 5 of delivery to acknowledge any unexpected sustainability issues encountered in projects supported through the scheme so far. This will provide direct support for the five years following scheme completion and will be subject to case-by-case assessment including factors such as ongoing project partners. A proposed use of these funds is outlined in the appendix but this will be subject to review. ARCHAEOLOGY DIG c. Andrew Nicholson 136 11.4 Overview of Project Sustainability measures While acknowledging that each project has its own evaluation and legacy measures, it is possible to summarise these proposed activities on a broader basis: Galloway Glens Activity Measures to maximise legacy Partnership Working Regular meetings of Galloway Glens Staff and partners throughout the Delivery stage. Funds retained for an element of publishing, results will be widely distributed. Crediting partners for their input and support. Access projects All land owners required to commit to 10 year access arrangements (minimum). Adoption as Core Paths where possible. Purchase of a Galloway Glens Scheme people counter to measure use. Built Heritage Projects on buildings will require long term (at least) 10 year support and sustainability assurance. Education & Skills training Work closely with statutory partners, i.e. education department. Effective recording of activities for later review Interpretation Guided by the interpretation strategy, long term maintenance a strong consideration in interpretation efforts. Increased knowledge & Understanding Biodiversity Natural heritage Effective publication strategy. Use of existing partner websites The Scheme will work closely with South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre (SWSEIC), which will act as a repository of data and biodiversity activities, ensuring records and information are available and accessible after Scheme completion. Engagement with national networks – conferences, symposium etc. to highlight achievements of scheme and encourage ownership and ongoing interest on a broader scale 11.5 The Scheme – an exit strategy 11.5.1 Landscape approach must be maintained It is clear that the benefits of the Galloway Glens Scheme will be greater than simply the sum of the projects undertaken, and it is vital that the co-ordinating presence of the Galloway Glens Scheme is maintained to ensure each project continues to deliver on a landscape scale after completion of the Delivery stage. 137 11.5.2 Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere (‘the Biosphere’) is well placed to continue support for the Galloway Glens Scheme in order to maximise the long term benefits of the scheme. The Biosphere’s organisation can maintain the Scheme’s focus following completion of the delivery phase, offering guidance and direction, hosting relevant information on the website and acting as an information resource. This means the legacy will be supported, particularly on an education and information basis, and will not be dependent on the Galloway Glens staff, whose employment will cease at the end of the Delivery stage. This arrangement has been developed, discussed and supported throughout the development phase, through the attendance of a representative of the Biosphere at Partnership board meetings. In July 2017, Joan Mitchell, he Chair of the Biosphere wrote to Sir Alex Fergusson, the Chairman of the Galloway Glens Partnership Board advising: “The whole concept of UNESCO Biospheres is to act as a facilitator supporting the bringing together of multiple partners to support actions that will create a sustainable future for the natural and cultural environment of our region and the people who live there. In essence it is the very same concept as that of the HLF Landscape Partnership Schemes. Ed Forrest, our Biosphere Coordinator and GG Scheme Partnership Board representative, has supported the development of GG Scheme since its early beginnings and continues to keep us abreast of progress and details as the Scheme has been developed. The Biosphere’s 2017-2022 Strategic Plan outlines our four key functions: • Climate and Adaption • Land use and Biodiversity • Research and Learning • Sustainable Development. We note that these align very well with the vision and aims of the GG Scheme, and would suggest that the GG Scheme could be referred to as “the Biosphere in action”. I’m also pleased to see that the GG Scheme has signed up to the Biosphere charter and is one of our growing band of “Proud Supporters”. So we applaud the efforts and activities of the GG Scheme over the last couple of years. It is obvious that you have focussed on genuine community consultation and engagement, resulting in a noticeable buzz in the valley about the GG Scheme and its opportunities to engage people and communities with their natural and cultural heritage. As your delivery phase draws to its conclusion the Biosphere should be well placed to support the coordination of actions that will ensure continuity of projects supported through the GG Scheme. This will maximise the long term legacy and sustainable benefits that result from projects supported through the GG Scheme but also ensures the broader partnership working, sustainability and landscape principles are maintained. I Iook forward to working out the precise mechanism over coming months to formalise our role in the GG Scheme’s exit strategy and securing the best possible legacy. The Biosphere has enjoyed being part of the scheme so far, is proud to support your activities and wish you good luck with your stage 2 HLF application.” 138 11.5.3 Dumfries & Galloway Council With the whole Scheme area falling within the boundary of Dumfries & Galloway, another long term partner to maximise benefits from the Scheme will be D&G Council. The Scheme has benefitted from strong support from the Council to date, while acknowledging the financial challenges faced by local government. A number of individual projects will enjoy local authority support following completion of the delivery phase, particularly access projects which will benefit from adoption as core paths where appropriate, and Loch Ken Management Advisory Committee which is supported by the Council’s Access department. LOCH KEN | View from New Galloway Golf Course c. Stuart Littlewood 139 12.1 Project Plans A detailed project plan is held on each project, consisting of 4 tabs in an excel workbook. 1) Project Plan – A detailed review of the project, including aims, challenges and outcomes 2) Budget – Projected project expenditure over the 5 year Delivery phase, identifying funding sources and clarifying any volunteer involvement. 3) Delivery Plan – A Gantt Chart identifying key tasks and timetable of activity 4) Risk Register – Key risks identified for each project, mitigation measures and strategies to address risks if they materialise. These will remain working documents through the delivery phase, forming part of each project’s Annual Review. Project plans: Expenditure Item Lead Partner 1) Understanding the Galloway Glens Total Cost £281,976 1.1 Historic Mapping Project Dumfries Archival Mapping Project 14,543 1.2 Community Archaeology Programme: Can you dig it? Galloway Glens Scheme 200,000 1.3 Place Names of the Galloway Glens Glasgow University 59,683 1.4 Forgotten Voices / Native Tongues Stewartry CVS 7,750 2) Education in the Galloway Glens £589,329 2.1 Future Custodians Galloway Glens Scheme 212,000 2.2 Hands on Heritage Galloway Glens Scheme 98,000 2.3 John Muir Awards Galloway Glens Scheme 16,800 2.4 Community Activities Galloway Glens Scheme 48,000 2.5 Galloway Glens Business Academy Galloway Glens Scheme 39,200 2.6 Galloway Glens Explorers Galloway Glens Scheme 56,900 2.7 Galloway Glens Awards Galloway Glens Scheme 6,600 2.8 Biosphere Explorers Crichton Carbon Centre 51,329 2.9 Drystane Dykes Demonstration SW Scotland Dry Stone Walling Assoc. 2,500 2.10 Ken Words - Literature Glenkens Community & Arts Trust 58,000 3) Visiting the Galloway Glens £569,751 3.1 Loch Ken: Alive Loch Ken Management Advisory Committee 210,000 3.2 The Galloway Glens Experience Southern Uplands Partnership 71,070 3.3 Dee Treasures Dumfries & Galloway Council 47,200 3.4 Kirkcudbright Dark Skies Visitor Centre Kirkcudbright Development Trust 241,481 140 4) Accessing the Galloway Glens £479,391 4.1 Out and About Dumfries & Galloway Council 134,400 4.2 Glenkens Way D&G Outdoor Access Trust 40,000 4.3 Corserine Access Improvements Dumfries & Galloway Council 9,900 4.4 Connecting Town & Country 4.5 Exploring the Glenkens 4.6 Kirkcudbright Bay Views Solway Firth Partnership 66,500 4.7 Canoe Trail Kirkcudbright Canoe Club 150,000 Castle Douglas Development Forum Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) 5) Heritage Hubs 57,591 21,000 £568,445 5.1 Dalry - Connecting Everyone to our heritage St John's Town of Dalry Community Council 148,000 5.2 Tolbooth Tales: The Story of Law & Order Dumfries & Galloway Council 37,050 5.3 Crossmichael Community Heritage & Living History Crossmichael Community Council 60,000 5.4 Balmaclellan - The Old Smiddy Glenkens Community & Arts Trust 323,395 6) Natural Landscape of the Galloway Glens £1,145,238 6.1 Conservation of Red Squirrels Glenkens Red Squirrel Group 22,600 6.2 Greenland White Fronted Geese RSPB (Scotland) 59,868 6.3 Black Grouse Habitat Creation RSPB (Scotland) 115,807 6.4 Kenmure Holms improvements RSPB (Scotland) 12,104 6.5 Threave Nature Reserve National Trust for Scotland 248,900 6.6 Black Water of Dee Restorations Galloway Fisheries Trust 91,750 6.7 Barhill Woods, Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright Development Trust 73,450 6.8 Peatland Connections Crichton Carbon Centre 301,609 6.9 Fish Loch Ken Galloway Glens Scheme 159,150 6.10 Natural Flood Management Facilitation Galloway Glens Scheme 60,000 141 13.1 Appendices The following tables list formal Appendix items, author and format. # Report Author Format 1 Landscape Character Assessment & Historic Environment Audit Northlight Heritage PDF 2 Loch Ken Fishery Study Galloway Fisheries Trust PDF 3 Arctic Charr Reintroduction Feasibility Study Galloway Fisheries Trust PDF 4 Natural Flood Management Feasibility Study Natural Power PDF 5 Heritage Skills, Training & Economic Opportunities North of England Civic Trust PDF 6 Education Programme Development Mary Smith PDF 7 Interpretation Strategy Minerva Heritage PDF 8 Communications Strategy BDS Digital PDF 9 Access Audit D&G Council PDF 10 The Galloway Glens in 1200 words Alistair Livingston PDF 142  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Landscape Conservation Action Plan (complete) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_4 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 Description An account of the resource A 160 page report on what makes the local landscape special and how Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership aimed to work to celebrate this, connecting people and sustainable communities to their heritage. GGLP landscape https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/464/Galloway-Glens-Year-One-review.pdf 783a49a212dd6172537898a2c90f8f7f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme 1 Year Review Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document £320,000 Spent in year one 9.5 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs created Spend with local businesses 24% Year One Review The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme is undertaking five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focussed on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. Our aim is to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. We have now finished the first year of our delivery phase and this is an opportunity to give an overview of work to date. The Scheme is primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. We have six programmes of activity: 76% D&G Business non-D&G Businesses 1 2 3 Increasing understanding of our local heritage Providing education opportunities and skills training Encouraging people to visit the area 4 5 6 Improving access opportunities and infrastructure Assisting the sustainable use of community buildings Supporting wildlife and habitats Small Grants Scheme Budget: £100,000: 34% 66% Awarded To be awarded Volunteer Activity More than £62,000 worth of volunteer time has been undertaken on the Scheme this year. Match Funding required: 29% Year Two is now underway but we are always open to new suggestions and opportunities. Please feel free to contact the office or visit our website for more details. www.gallowayglens.org Many thanks to our partners, including 71% Secured Still sought Year One Snapshot New Loch Skerrow ned in Offices Ope glas Castle Dou opened quirrel Hide lter & Red S he S n tio ds Educa ll Woo ight’s Barhi in Kirkcudbr footbridge create d Work underway on Old Smiddy in Balmaclellan Business Academy Events pro viding sup to local bu port sinesses d elivered oration Habitat rest derway un projects ject logy pro Archaeo y it n u m Com menced ig it’ com d u o y n ‘Ca ay for Groundworks underw s ent em path improv Experiential Tour ism events held White k Greenland ase and trac le re g, ta Project to se underway fronted Gee programme Biosphere Education ools sch in launched Fish po pulation s in Loc h Ken s urveyed For all scheme info, visit gallowayglens.org  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme 1 Year Review Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_5 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2019 Description An account of the resource Review of the Galloway Glens Scheme, year 1 GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/465/2020-GG-Map-A3-portrait.pdf c07f783f7a6771f500fa175dd3cf2429 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme Projects 2020 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Galloway Glens Projects 2020 This is a representation of the range of projects we are supporting. Many thanks are due as ever to our partner organisations and their staff and volunteers, without whom none of these would be possible. For more details about any project on this map, go to www. gallowayglens.org/ Themes. For more information get in touch with one of the Galloway Glens team: McNabb Laurie, Team Leader. mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk, 07825 721 659. Helen Keron, Education and Community Engagement Officer. helen.keron@dumgal.gov.uk, 07827 306 866 Nick Chisholm, Project Officer. nick.chisholm@dumgal.gov.uk, 07552 268 036 Jonathan Barrett, Access Officer. jonathan.barrett@dumgal.gov.uk, 07469 571 806 Jude Crooks, Financial Administrator. jude.crooks@dumgal.gov.uk, 07500 107 696 REGION WIDE PROJECTS Business Academy 2020 Galloway Rural Skills Can You Dig It community archaeology project Historic Mapping Project Place Names of the Galloway Glens Oral History Project Galloway Glens Experience Love our Fruit and Nuts * Moths and Mammals at Home* Walking the Galloway Glens* Singing the Galloway Glens* @gallowayglens info@gallowayglens.org Created by Lauren Woods Design 07500 107 696 @ www.gallowayglens.org  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme Projects 2020 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_6 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2020 Description An account of the resource Review of the Galloway Glens Scheme, year 2 GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/466/Galloway-Glens-Halfway-point-achievements-so-far.pdf 10683dbaeb8a609d671e7d636a1eb53f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme Halfway Point Achievements Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Our half way point ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE 103 MORE THAN PUBLIC EVENTS HELD, WITH >4,000 ATTENDEES The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme is a 5-year suite of projects that connects the people of the Ken/Dee valley in SW Scotland to their heritage, while supporting the local economy and sustainable communities. As we approach the halfway point of the Scheme, this is an opportunity to review the achievements and activities to date. Many thanks to all our partners and funders, without whom none of this would have been possible… MILES TRAVELLED BY TAGGED GREENLAND WHITE FRONTED GEESE carsphairn MILES OF IMPROVED FOOTPATH, INCLUDING 2 NEW BRIDGES dalry NEW OR REFURBISHED BUILDINGS MORE THAN SCHOOL PUPILS ATTENDING EVENTS 152 loch ken BUSINESSES ATTENDING TRAINING EVENTS ARCHAEOLOGY PARTICIPANTS JOHN MUIR ‘DISCOVERY’ AWARDS OBTAINED 1394 MONEY SPENT £1.9 MILLION SPENT SO FAR 176 >75% SPENT WITH DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY BUSINESSES castle douglas 10 FTE JOBS CREATED AS OF SUMMER 2020 16 VOLUNTEER TIME DONATED AWARDS MADE THROUGH DUMFRIES & WORTH MORE THAN THE SMALL GRANT SCHEME GALLOWAY BUSINESSES WORTH OVER £51,000 BENEFITTED DIRECTLY £145,000 HECTARES OF GALLOWAY LANDSCAPE UNDER ACTIVE MANAGEMENT OVERSEEN BY A PARTNERSHIP BOARD CONSISTING OF: Kirkcudbright PARTICIPANTS IN ONLINE EVENTS IN 2020 SO FAR MORE THAN ENTRIES ON THE GALLOWAY PLACE NAMES DATABASE Primary funder: Keep up to date with our latest news: WWW.GALLOWAYGLENS.ORG  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Scheme Halfway Point Achievements Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_7 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 Description An account of the resource Review of the Galloway Glens Scheme, year 3 GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/467/Galloway-Glens-Intern-Programme-Overview-Findings-FINAL.pdf b784fd2a6431cfcfa3d76c19d5a88577 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Intern Programme Overview Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Galloway Glens Intern Programme Overview + Findings #WorkInGalloway Photo: Jan Hogarth, Galloway Glens Education & Community Engagement Officer, meets a group of Galloway Glens supported Interns – Dec 2022, Ken Bridge “Thank you so much for the opportunity… I would never have been able to make the change of career which would allow me to work in the great outdoors” Cameron Milne, Intern at Czernin Kinsky 1 1. Aims and Objectives 1.1 The Galloway Glens Scheme is a series of projects in the Ken/Dee valley in Galloway, with an overall aim of ‘connecting people to our heritage’, boosting the local economy and supporting sustainable communities. 1.2 The ‘Galloway Rural Skills’ project included a programme of internship/work experience positions, with 15 roles supported in posts hosted by a variety of employers. 1.3 The Galloway Rural Skills project had a number of aims: • To provide work and training opportunities; • To give young people a chance to see what it was like to work in Dumfries & Galloway • To illustrate the range of heritage-related and other careers available in the region • Addressing the current departure rate of our young people. The population of Dumfries and Galloway continues to be one of the oldest in Scotland. One in five of the region's residents -18.7 percent - is aged 70 or over. In terms of overall size, the 45 to 64 age group was the largest in 2021, with a population of 43,656. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group was the smallest, with a population of 12,878.” “Population of Dumfries and Galloway Remains one of the Oldest in Scotland” article by Stephen Temlett, Daily Record, 4th September 2020. • To introduce a new range selection of employers to the benefits of internships/work experience programmes 1.4 Separate to the positions supported, the Galloway Glens Scheme also part-funded a report by local consultants called “Opening Doors: A Consultation of Employability Services, Employer’s Experiences and Young Peoples Goals in Dumfries and Galloway” (2022, by Sleeping Giants, full report available by request). Findings in the report suggest that being able to drive and transport links are a major barrier to young people wanting to stay in the Galloway area. Mental health issues exacerbated by covid pandemic and rural poverty were also identified as barriers to employment. 1.5 This report seeks to give an overview of the Internship programme, highlighting key learning points and distilling what worked and what didn’t. The ambition is that this report will be of interest to other agencies/groups undertaking similar initiatives in the region. 2 2. Why ‘Internship’? 2.1 The Galloway Glens Scheme was in a very fortunate position: able to plan five years of scheme delivery and in receipt of funding from a flexible and supportive team at the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 2.2 This allowed a considered plan to be made about how any activity could best support existing employment schemes in the region, delivering maximum benefits for the young people taking part and the hosts. 2.3 Concerns initially existed about treading on established schemes run by national providers, with a piece of work undertaken to map all available schemes. 2.4 Initial suggestions that the Scheme focus on ‘apprenticeships’ were considered at this point. Apprenticeships are much more complex to deliver than an internship, usually requiring multiple years of work, a very supportive employer and often some kind of skills assessment. 2.5 Discussion also took place about the idea of a ‘shared apprenticeship’ model, with participants cycling between employers to get a varied set of skills. This would have required significant administrative oversight and management, beyond what could be delivered through existing Galloway Glens Staff. External funding applications were made to allow this, but these were not successful. 2.6 The above investigations took almost 12 months. This only increased the need to seek achievable, deliverable outcomes that could be delivered during the remaining four years of Galloway Glens Scheme delivery. 2.7 If the scheme had a longer than five-year delivery phase, it may have been able to progress apprenticeships, support discussions and even explore the shared apprenticeship model further. At this time, it feels like apprenticeship mechanisms are a mechanism appropriate only for long term initiatives. 2.8 In addition to the ‘Internship’ positions, the Galloway Glens Scheme also supported a ‘preapprentice’ role which is included in this report and also contributed towards the training costs of an Event Electrician in Kirkcudbright. 3 3. Paid or Unpaid Internships? 3.1 Unpaid or informal Internships operate in a number of sectors. 3.2 The problem with an unpaid internship is that it only appeals to people that are in a position to work for free – perhaps living with parents or with independent means of support etc. 3.3 As identified in recent studies, public transport limitations in the region are a particular restricting factor for young people. The ability to run a private car is even harder when taking part in an unpaid internship. Many of the potential internship hosts under early consideration were not on established bus routes. 3.4 A Paid internship appeals to a wider range of applicants, particularly those in work and with financial commitments but keen to move careers or to move into the region. 3.5 The decision was therefore made to support only paid intern positions. The Galloway Glens would continue to signpost and highlight other intern positions hosted by partners or of interest – e.g. through social media etc. - but these would not be formally supported by the Scheme. 3.6 The Galloway Glens Scheme is an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team. The Council is established as a living wage employer and therefore it was appropriate to require all internships supported through the scheme to pay at least the national living wage. This rate changed through the life of the scheme (currently £10.90 per hour – check here for info: https://scottishlivingwage.org/). As a by-product, this further embedded the Living Wage principle in the region. 3.7 Discussion took place regarding whether part-time internships should be supported. In line with considerations above, it was felt that the ambition should be for full time internships as these equate to genuine work opportunities and would appeal to people with financial commitments. Precise negotiation over hours could take place in the appointment process if acceptable to both parties. 4 4. Length of Internship 4.1 Much discussion took place in the early stages of the scheme, exploring options surrounding the length of internships to be supported, considering 3 months to 12 month positions. 4.2 Three months was felt to be too short to allow the Intern to add value to the organisation or to encourage applicants for the role. A couple of potential hosts expressed concern about 12 months being too long for an untried mechanism. 4.3 The first couple of roles were offered on a 6 month basis and this then became a model offered to future hosts. New or inexperienced Intern hosts were keen to replicate the initial round of intern positions which had been adjudged to work well. This therefore became established as the approach used through the Scheme. 4.4 Two of the roles supported were subsequently extended for a further six months, retaining the 50% Galloway Glens funding intervention. This was only supported due to specific reasons in each case – e.g. further training opportunities, activity not yet undertaken etc. l-r: Helen Keron + Calypso Coulton Alyx Rhodes Amber Wright 5 5. Funding 5.1 The Galloway Glens Scheme is 50% funded by an award from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). In effect, for every £1 that is spent, NLHF will repay 50p. 5.2 This funding model dictates a need for approximately 50% match funding to be sought on all activity. 5.3 The precise costs of each role varied; however a table below gives an overview of what we have found to be the approximate cost of a six-month full time, living wage paying internship position: 5.4 Salary (40hrs x 4 weeks x 6 months) 10,500 (£1750 PCM) Employer costs (NI etc.) £800 (approx. £130 PCM) Equipment – Laptop, wellies £500 Mileage Costs (if appropriate) £500 Training (e.g. Brush cutting, ATV operation) £500 Total Cost (Approx) £12,800 Galloway Glens set out to 50% fund the intern positions – i.e. contributing approximately £6,500 per role. The match funding was either provided by the Intern Host or from another party/funder. 5.5 The above table doesn’t include any staff time for management of the Intern. This was discussed early on, citing the time taken to induct and oversee an additional person. It became clear that we would be able to identify sufficient willing hosts without paying a contribution towards management time. We are not blind to the time taken to manage an additional member of the team but the offer to do this for free could be seen as part of the broader contract, with this contribution of time evidencing the hosts interest in the Internship for non-financial reasons. If we had made a contribution towards management time, we would have had more potential hosts and could have specified sectors/geography etc. 5.6 The above table also doesn’t quantify Officer support time from the Galloway Glens for each Intern position. This varied depending on each role but for planning purposes, would equate to approximately 15 days of officer time – from initial host discussions, through drafting of contract, advertising of role, interviewing, monthly check ins with the Intern and then exit interviews for Intern and Host. 6 6. Identifying Hosts 6.1 We have been referring to the Intern Programme as ‘relationship-led’. The Galloway Glens Scheme did not advertise for hosts, instead approaching partners or organisations that we had worked with or had already established a relationship with. 6.2 The Host is such an important part of a successful intern position. There was a concern that an advertisement for intern hosts would a) not yield any offers of b) could attract hosts not ideally suited to the role. 6.3 The delay in launching the Intern programme therefore benefitted the scheme as we were able to deliver on a range of other projects, establishing working relationships with partners. 6.4 A memorandum of understanding was established between Galloway Glens and the employer, setting out responsibilities for all parties and financial contributions. 6.5 The Intern hosts receive a number of benefits from taking part: 6.5.1 A Funding contribution towards costs of an intern 6.5.2 Drawing on recent experience through the Galloway Glens Scheme 6.5.3 Support with job description, advertising and recruitment 6.5.4 It was commonly cited that the Galloway Glens was providing impetus to something the host had been meaning to do previously. 6.6 Considerations when identifying and entering into agreements with hosts included financial – i.e. who would pay the other 50% - and also intangible points such as known ethos of the organisation, capacity for suitable oversight of the roles and reasons the host was interested. The Galloway Glens Team were keen that the Interns weren’t simply taken on for basic duties, essentially just at a subsidised rate. Hosts were therefore asked to make the Internships as rewarding as possible, with maximum benefit for Intern future employment. Vicky Johnson Dan Pollard 7 7. Recruitment 7.1 It became clear early on that a strong and active approach to recruitment was vital to the success of the intern programme. Each recruitment campaign involved the following steps: 7.1.1 Job Description and role overview listed online. Ideally on the host organisation’s website or, if not possible, on the Galloway Glens website. A contact name and number listed for any enquiries about the role. Professional photos taken to advertise the role. A poster made using these photos and headline points for use through social media channels. Press release advertising the role – including quote from Galloway Glens and quote from the host and photos – sent to local media outlets. Role advertised through Galloway Glens channels and newsletters. Role listed on DGWGO Jobs portal (£nil). Later roles were advertised on indeed.com website (approx. £70 each). This advertised the role but also advertised the concept of working in Galloway, raising the profile of the range of careers available. It was hoped that even people who didn’t apply would start to think about Galloway as an attractive place to work. A couple of the roles were re-advertised due to insufficient applicants. The roles were readvertised, and sufficient applicants were sourced. A great effort was made to highlight the job adverts through education channels – local colleges, universities and related networks. Lecturers/teachers were sharing the roles with their students, and this was felt to be helpful. Much discussion took place over time of year to recruit, however the more important point was found to be when in the year was best for the host – seasons of activity etc. We found no relationship between time of year and number of applicants. 8 9 8 Restrictions on who can Apply. 8.1 The Intern programme in its broadest sense sought to provide work experience opportunities in Galloway. Discussion often then naturally developed on whether this should be targeted based on a) age or b) location of the applicant. A number of different approaches were taken on different roles. 8.2 Sometimes the match funder specified a restriction on the recruitment for the role. The Holywood Trust, for instance, is focussed on a specific age group and therefore this was simply adopted as a requirement in the role advert. 8.3 The Internships were advertised with a variety of geographical restrictions – from none, through to specifying applicants must live or have a connection to Dumfries & Galloway. The restrictions focus the benefit of the role on existing young people in the area but reduce the number of applicants. 8.4 The number of applicants varied from 85 people interested in a role, through to only one application received. There did not appear to be a time of year that influenced the number of applications received. One role had to be readvertised due to lack of applicants. The readvertisement secured sufficient applications for an appointment to be made. 8.5 Ultimately, the internships did not tend to specify any geographical requirements of the applicants but did suggest that the roles would require travel to the area for the role. Jan Hogarth meets 5 interns under the Ken Bridge 10 9 Appointment 9.1 All of the applicants were given clear instructions on how to submit an application – usually in the form of a CV and a covering letter – and the deadline for the submission. 9.2 After the deadline had passed, all applications were reviewed. The review process varied from role to role, but involved the applications being considered against the job description and a shortlist being established for interview. 9.3 The Galloway Glens Scheme was careful to remain clear throughout that the actual appointment was the decision of the Host – i.e. the employer. With this in principle understanding in place, the Galloway Glens Scheme sought to support the recruitment process as much as possible, including: 9.3.1 Galloway Glens Education & Community Engagement Officer usually assisting with the shortlisting of candidates 9.3.2 Galloway Glens Education & Community Engagement Officer sat on the Interview Panel 9.4 At a couple of points, attendance at all interviews was drawing a significant portion of the Galloway Glens Education & Community Engagement Officer’s time, however it was felt to be adding value as: 9.4.1 Support to the Hosts during the interviews – some of whom may not have recruited in recent years; 9.4.2 Clarity for the applicants about who was funding the role; and 9.4.3 Encouraged a partnership ethos with the host. 9.5 The Galloway Glens Scheme and partners always sought to support efforts to give the interview panels balance in terms of gender. 9.6 The notification of employment would come from the Host, with subsequent contract etc. 9.7 One Intern was employed on a 50/50 basis between two organisations, and this was discussed with other appointments also. For clarity purposes, it is recommended that each Intern have a single clear ‘manager’. Any flexibility of working arrangement can be discussed with other partners, but Interns benefit from clear line of management. 11 10 Galloway Glens Intern Programme Overview # Successful Applicant Host Applicant Restrictions Funding Outcome 1 Abbie Nye 16-25 2 50% GGLP, 50% Holywood Trust 50% GGLP, 50% host Secured a permanent role in the sector, but not in D&G Secured a permanent role with the host 3 Amber Wright Dan Pollard Galloway Fisheries Trust Natural Power 16-25 Alyx Rhodes 5 Emilie Wardhaugh Calypso Coulton 50% GGLP, 50% Holywood Trust 50% GGLP, 50% Holywood Trust 50% GGLP, 50% Holywood Trust 50% GGLP, 50% host Secured a permanent role with the host 4 Galloway Fisheries Trust Galloway Fisheries Trust Galloway Fisheries Trust Better Lives Partnership/CDDF 7 Thomas McClure Better Lives Partnership TBC 8 Cameron Milne 9 Phoebe Watt Czernin-Kinsky Scottish Company Ltd GCAT 50% GGLP, 50% host. 6 month extension agreed. 50% GGLP, 50% host 50% GGLP, Holywood Trust Secured a subsequent role in the sector, but not in D&G 10 Vicky Johnston Crichton Carbon Centre 11 Phoenix Lord 12 Faye McKellar Carsphairn Community Woodland GCAT 13 Finlay McGaw Andrew Murdoch Keiron Chisholm Mr Pooks The role is open to people aged 18-25, based in Dumfries & Galloway, or looking to move here None (Whether you are a recent graduate or looking for a career change…) A ‘Preapprenticeship’ role 3 month - Part time Internship role None Drax None 6 14 15 16-25 16-25 None (“would suit young graduate”) None None N/a. Not an ‘Intern’ role. Allowed Keiron to obtain relevant qualifications. TBC = role ongoing or not known. 12 Self Employed None 50% Secured a subsequent role with the host TBC Secured a subsequent role with the host. Entered further education in the sector of the Internship 100% GGLP Secured a permanent role with the host 50% GGLP, 50% host. 6-month extension agreed. 50% GGLP, 50% Holywood Trust TBC 50% GGLP, 50% host TBC 50% GGLP, 50% host TBC 50% GGLP, 50% Kirkcudbright Development Trust Now sufficiently qualified to undertake work independently. TBC 11. Skills and ambitions of the Interns 11.1 In 2023, a number of the Interns were interviewed to establish their ambitions for the future, and the skills picked up in their roles. Name and Organisation Dan Pollard Galloway Fisheries Trust Alyx Rhodes Galloway Fisheries Trust Calypso Coulton Better Lives Partnership Ambitions for the future Industry Specific Skills Transferrable Skills “I would like to be working for Galloway Fisheries Trust leading a successful freshwater Pearl Mussel Conservation Project among many other projects. Living in a house that I own in the local area.” • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • “I’d like to be a lepidopterist doing habitat restoration. To reach my goal I would need to take part in a Moth research project and have worked as a Butterfly Conservation Field Assistant.” “To travel, work Freelance, and work again for Better Lives Partnership.” • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Electro-Fishing ATV operating Chainsaw Operating First Aid Hydro-morphology River Erosion Management Invertebrate Sampling Invert ID and processing Pesticide Handling and Application Fish ID Fish Surveying RAMS Electro-Fishing First Aid Data Handling Digitising Records Water Quality Monitoring Invert ID and processing Specimen Handling Tree ID Tree planting Microscope Proficiency Habitat Survey Skills Report Writing Liaising with Public Bodies Time Management Communication Digital Skills Social Skills Confidence Social Media and Photography • Collaboration and Team Work • Self Motivation • Collaboration • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13 Time Management Communication Digital Skills Social Skills Confidence Social Media and Photography Collaboration and Team Work Self Motivation Collaboration Ability to Work Independently Time Management Communication Digital Skills Social Skills Confidence Social Media and Photography Collaboration and Team Work Self Motivation Collaboration Running her own business Running sessions with Better Lives clients. Thomas McClure Better Lives Partnership “I'd be living in a comfortable apartment shared with friends or living with friends rurally with ease of transport, an enjoyable job, and feeling fulfilled but productive.” Phoenix Lord Carsphairn Community Woodland “I want to be working in forestry or related industry, be financially stable, and live rurally. I want to be feeling successful and accomplished in life. Helping friends and family as much as possible.” Phoebe Watt “Running my own arts space or Catstrand festival in Glasgow with a programme that centres around connecting people to nature in natural environments in the city.” 14 • Understanding Autism • Freelance Career in Creative Arts • Health and Safety • Understanding GDPR • Bullying in the Workplace • Diversity and Equality • Customer Service • How to Prevent Terrorism • Business English • Safeguarding Young People • Child Protection • Empowering Communities • Graphic Design • Understanding Social Media Analytics • Photography Skills • Website Building • Networking • Routine Health and Safety • Using a Chainsaw • Chainsaw Maintenance • Felling Trees Precisely and Effectively • Different Cuts in Tree Felling • Identifying Trees and different Ways to do so. • Tree Identification • Tree Planting • Processing and the Production of Firewood • Working with communities and clients • Mushroom Foraging • Communication • Liaising with partners, young people, and colleagues • Handling AV Equipment • Networking • Budgeting and Excel • Curation of Events programme and Young Peoples Workshops • Planning and Organisations • Social Media Marketing • Graphics and photography • Making Qualitative Decisions • Developing a Routine • Getting Up for Work every day • Time Management • Communication • Digital Skills • Social Skills • Confidence • Social Media and Photography • Collaboration and Team Work • Self Motivation • Collaboration • Ability to Work Independently • Developing a Routine • Getting Up for Work every day • Time Management • Communication • Digital Skills • Social Skills • Confidence • Collaboration and Team Work • Self Motivation • Ability to Work Independently • • • • • • Time Management Communication Digital Skills Social Skills Confidence Collaboration and Team Work • Self Motivation • Ability to Work Independently 12. Feedback from Hosts 12.1 We kept in touch with employers and undertook an exit interview as the internships came to an end allowing us to track the next part of the journey for young people. 12.2 Many of the organisations wanted to give an internship to a young person they could keep on and who would become part of their team. The internship was a way of testing them out while offering a nurturing environment of mentorship and training. As you can see from the first table, a number of hosts did keep the Interns on after completion of the six month period. 12.3 It is interesting to note the hosts were a range of sizes, from micro businesses through to large organisations. Natural Power used the Internship to re-start their Intern activities and Drax used it to address historically low local application rates for their established apprenticeship programme. Both of these cases illustrate that the Intern model is not restricted to smaller organisations. 12.4 It is great to note the near-universal enthusiasm from hosts to undertake similar initiatives in the future. 12.5 Natural Power won a Green Industry award for their hosting of an Intern role: https://www.dgwgo.com/business/natural-power-wins-judges-award-at-scottish-greenenergy-awards/. Cameron Milne + Jan Hogarth 15 13. Limitations of Scheme 13.1 The Scheme relied on the strong advertising of roles. This usually resulted in a competitive appointment process. This Scheme therefore did not provide dedicated support to applicants classed as ‘further from the workplace’ or needing additional support. 13.2 The Scheme did not fully explore the concept of longer or shorter intern positions. 13.3 It had been proposed that the Galloway Glens Scheme seek to gather Interns for joint training and info sharing sessions. These did not happen as much as planned, primarily due to other priorities, however interns indicated they would have benefitted from these. Abbie Nye 16 14. Conclusions + Key learning points 14.1 It is possible to draw a number of headline learning points from the experience of the Intern Programme, including: • There is an appetite from employers to take part in an Intern Scheme, but it will often not be fully realised without support – either financial input or broader partnership backing. • There are a number of sectoral/employer employment support schemes in operation but none of these prevent additional work in the sector. • The time-limited nature of the Galloway Glens Scheme was often an advantage, resulting in the prioritising and expediting of the Internship advertising process by the hosts. • However, the five years delivery phase of the Galloway Glens Scheme was not long enough to undertake apprenticeship roles – with ‘shared apprenticeships’ possibly requiring even more lead time and support. • Pro-active advertising of roles adds value, using press releases and targeted use of recruitment channels. Accompaniment of professional photos to illustrate the role resulted in an increase in number of applicants. • Roles should also be advertised through sector networks/university lecturers. • Pro-active advertising also addresses wider challenges such as the general perception that an area has no jobs of interest. • Interns require clear management structure, ideally a single manager, and awareness from the host beforehand that on-the-job mentoring will be required. • The Galloway Glens’ limited area of operation allowed closer relationships to be developed with employers. • There is no ‘ideal’ time of year to recruit – simply align with host requirements • Roles should be advertised with as few restrictions (geography/age) as possible to maximise the number of applicants. 17 15. The Bigger Picture 15.1 The Galloway Glens Intern Programme sought to provide genuine and useful Intern positions that allowed the selected candidates to consider work in Dumfries & Galloway. 15.2 Beyond the selected candidates, the approach and overall programme sought to take every opportunity to highlight the merits to young people of working and living in Galloway. Ed Pook from Mr Pook’s Kitchen Programme video: available here https://youtu.be/8flcjahexdU. Thank You: Thank you to all Interns, Hosts, Applicants, Funders and everyone that helped to design and deliver the Galloway Glens Intern Programme. The Galloway Glens Scheme is an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and supported by the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. 18  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Intern Programme Overview Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_8 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Description An account of the resource Overview of the Galloway Glens Scheme intern programme. GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/591/galloway-glens-logo.png 09f84a19d11d74edbd6f6411cba8d407 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource GGLP logo Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource GGLP logo Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_131 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2019 GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/590/GGLP-Summer21Programmev4_hires.pdf 7b11737e37a318f8d615d56a4f451a8b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Summer 2021 programme Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document DIG IT CAN YOU GA L L O WAY G L EN S DIG IT Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or see the Events or Can You Dig It pages on www.gallowayglens.org for more details. All events are FREE unless noted otherwise. All events must be booked in advance through the Galloway Glens events page or www.eventbrite.com. Group numbers will be limited to ensure compliance with current COVID guidelines.’ We are delighted to bring your our Summer 2021 programme of small-group outdoor events! How lovely that we can start coming together again. It’s an eclectic mixture of events from many of our partners – we hope to see you on some of them! Ken Words Poetry Walk 20th June, 9.45am-1.30pm A guided poetry walk – come along to be inspired by the landscapes of the Glenkens. New writers welcome. Where: Meet in Dalry. Cost: £5 Partner: GCAT Threave Landscape Restoration Project consultation event 1st July, 7-8pm, ONLINE EVENT Come along to find out more information about the exciting TLRP project, and to put your questions to the team. Where: Held over Zoom Partner: NTS Threave Garden and Estate. Guided Tour of the RSPB Ken Dee Marshes 15th July, 10.30am Join an RSPB expert for a walking tour of the special Ken-Dee marshes environment and their inhabitants. Where: Meet near Laurieston Partner: RSPB DAMP guided walk the old maps of the Glenkens 16th July, 10am Join Archie McConnel for a reasonably strenuous walk in the Glenkens hills to compare the landscape of today with the one revealed through the DAMP pre-OS map collection. Where: Meet in Dalry Partner: DAMP Walking tour of the Woodhead Lead Mines Minibeast Madness 22nd July, 2pm Join the CYDI team and Anna Campbell for a reasonably strenous walk out to this deserted mining settlement. Where: Meet near Carsphairn Partner: Can You Dig It Loch Ken Sausage Sizzle 24th July, 10am-2pm Drop in to find creative and nature activities with the Biosphere Explorers. Family event. Where: Meet at NTS Threave Estate Partner: Crichton Carbon Centre 10th July, 11am Come and find out what’s living in our woods with the Biosphere Explorers! Family event. Where: Meet in Kirkcudbright Partner: Crichton Carbon Centre 13th July, 11.30am Come and meet Ken, the Loch Ken Ranger, and learn how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly - while eating sausages! Family event. Where: West Bank of Loch Ken Partner: Loch Ken Trust Kirkcudbright Kirkyard Tours 14th July, 7pm | 21st July, 2.30pm 29th July,7pm | 4th August, 2.30pm 11th August, 7pm | 18th August, 2.30pm Join volunteer guides from Kirkcudbright History Society for tours around St Cuthbert’s kirkyard to learn more about the site’s fascinating history. Where: Meet in Kirkcudbright Partner: Kirkcudbright History Society Family Nature Trail 14th July, 10.30am A guided nature walk with the Biosphere Explorers. Family event, most suited for primary pupils but all welcome. Where: Meet at NTS Threave Estate Partner: Crichton Carbon Centre Drop-in Trail Activities Walking Tour of Castle Douglas 28th July, 10am Join the CYDI archaeologists for a fascinating walking tour of the amazing history of this market town. Part of Castle Douglas Civic Week. Where: Meet in Castle Douglas Partner: Can You Dig It Family Woodland Activities 28th July, 11am A look at what animals might live in our woods, with a range of children’s activities. Where: Meet in New Galloway woods Partner: Crichton Carbon Centre How Healthy is a River? 29th July, 1-3pm Join the GFT experts for a fascinating afternoon learning how fish and invertebrate communities are monitored as an indicator of a river’s health. Prepare to get your hands dirty! Where: Meet on the Raiders Road Partner: Galloway Fisheries Trust Soil and Soul 31st July, 11am This event will guide you through a day of soil building, getting mulchy, compost, biodiversity and good soil health Where: Glenkens Partner: Propagate (Small Grants event) Bus Tour of the Lost Wells of Galloway 3rd August, 10am Join the CYDI team for a whistle-stop tour of some of the Lost Wells re-discovered by our volunteers. Where: Meet in New Galloway Partner: Can You Dig It Peatlands Discovery 3rd August, 9:30am Discover the beauty and science in your local peatlands with a reasonably strenuous walk on the Silverflowe peat, led by CCC experts. Where: New Galloway Partner: Crichton Carbon Centre CYDI Test Pitting event at Threave 6th and 7th August, 10am – 3pm Join CYDI and the NTS Threave archaeology team as they see what they can uncover on Meiklewood Hill on the Threave Estate. Where: NTS Threave Estate Partner: Can You Dig It Carsphairn to Polmaddy guided walk 15th August, 10:30am Join Jonathan Barrett of the Galloway Glens team for an insight into the history of this Pilgrims Way. Where: Carsphairn Drystane Dyking 21st August, 11am Join the Propagate team to get hands-on with the basics of Drystane Dyking. Where: Glenkens Partner: Propagate (Small Grants event) Polmaddy to Earlstoun guided walk 22nd August, 10:30am Join Jonathan again as he walks the second half of this historic route. Where: Polmaddy All bookings through www.gallowayglens.org/Events or Eventbrite - search for Galloway Glens. Spaces are limited so do book early. Full joining instructions will be issued after booking.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Galloway Glens Summer 2021 programme Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_130 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 Description An account of the resource GGLP programme for summer 2021 GGLP