Countryside Section News, Issues & Projects

"Scotland looks cool from under canvas

(source The Sunday Post, Travel 27/07/08)

Beecraigs camping site is just one of the sites recommended in Robin McKelvie's book "Cool Camping: Scotland".  This book "...eulogises the joys of camping in some really characterful and stunning places...scenic locations, welcoming owners and little quirks are marked higher than ultra-modern facilities...Beecraigs, less than an hour's drive from Edinburgh, is a great wee escape.  The site is set right amongst the trees and is ideal for families as there's a deer farm and trout farm to explore in the surrounding Beecraigs Country Park.  There's also a reservoir to stroll around ...a fitness course if you want to work off some excess pounds on your holiday.  You can also rent a proper barbecue area and enjoy some alfresco living in the woods or pop into their restaurant".

For more information on this book check out www.robinmckelvie.com

Events Programmes for 2008

West Lothian's Countryside Ranger Service and Outdoor Pursuits team event and activity programmes for this year are available from any of West Lothian's three Country Parks' Visitor Centres.  Ranger events range from pond dipping and study underwater studies to badger watches and Christmas deer walks.  Outdoor activities offer archery, canoeing, kayaking, climbing or, if you are undecided, you can have a mix of activities in 3 and 5 day activity courses.  Places are limited so advanced booking is well advised.

£2million boost for Country Parks

(source www.wlonline.org press release 22/05/2008)

The country parks Beecraigs, Polkemmet and Almondell attract around 900,000 visitors every year.  Now, following a review, the council has confirmed a range of improvements to the popular outdoor attractions.  The approved programme includes:

£270,000 for improvements at Beecraigs visitor centre

£200,000 for new play equipment at Polkemmet

£40,000 for play equipment at Almondell

£340,000 for footpaths and roads

£200,000 for car parks

In addition, another £460,000 will be spent at Beecraigs on toilet improvements, sawmill facilities and caravan and camping site improvements plus essential repairs to country park boundary walls and fences.

"We are spending almost £2million delivering quality services in our three country parks", said Council Leader Peter Johnston,  "This is a substantial investment, the first in the last decade.  We are also looking at introducing new outdoor adventure activities for young people in our country parks.  As part of our review, we have decided to reduce the deer herd at Beecraigs to 100 animals.  The deer herd is a fantastic visitor attraction which will remain as an integral part of the country park.  The reduction will be achieved by a combination of selling animals to other farming enterprises and selling venison, which has been council practice since 1989 when the herd was created".

Easter Inch Moss

Easter Inch Moss, to the north of Seafield and the east of Blackburn, was part of a 200 acre bog that was worked for peat. Now an area of land protected for the public and designated a local nature reserve (LNR), it is important for its wildlife interest, educational value and recreational use, where people can walk and enjoy the open air.

Owned by West Lothian Council, but managed in partnership with a local Management Group, to have a say in how the site will be looked after, and maintained in the future. The Group is working to a 5year management plan and involves the Countryside Ranger Service, as well as other Council staff, and members of the local communities.

If you would like further information on this site, or would like to be involved in the Management Group please contact John Bennie,

Secretary of the Easter Inch Moss & Seafield Law Management Group on Tel: 01506 631292 or the Ranger on Tel: 01501 743905 or 07771911108 (mobile) or hugh.ilgunas@westlothian.gov.uk

Friends of West Lothian (Countryside)

In response to many requests from the public for opportunities to carry out conservation work in the countryside, West Lothian Countryside Rangers are piloting a scheme from February to July 2008, the last Saturday of each month from 10:00-12noon, to provide a programme of volunteer tasks throughout West Lothian.  Aimed at people aged 18+years who enjoy taking part in conservation work, a choice of tasks and work areas ensures an opportunity for everyone to take part.  Tasks range from tree planting and woodland management to community clean-ups and orchid counts.  In August a new programme of tasks will be on offer.

To book your place simply telephone West Lothian Countryside Rangers on 01506 882254 by the Wednesday prior to the task.  You will then be given more information on the specific task and where to meet, etc.  This is your chance to do something positive for West Lothian and remember, your countryside needs you!

Peter Sutherland, "Tribute to Pete"

A lasting legacy in the form of an avenue of oak trees has been planted at Beecraigs Country Park in memory of Pete Sutherland, who dedicated over 30years to creating and developing West Lothian Council's three Country Parks at Beecraigs, Polkemmet and Almondell & Calderwood and making a huge contribution to the quality of life for people in the district.  The walk has been named "Sutherland Way" and the outdoor activity centre is named the "Sutherland Building".

Outdoor Activity Centre at Beecraigs

A new outdoor activity centre was opened on the 4th. December 2006 by MSP Mary Mulligan thanks to a joint project between Countryside Section and the Big Lottery Fund.  The £260,000 resource is aimed at enabling greater participation in outdoor activities by schools and the wider community.  Mary Mulligan said "I really welcome the opening of this facility.  Outdoor facilities such as we have here in Beecraigs should be at the heart of our health improvement agenda - to improve physical and mental health.  However if we are to encourage people to use Beecraigs then it is essential that we have somewhere for people to meet, eat and yes, given our weather, to change their clothes".  She added "I am sure this new centre will attract visitors not only from Linlithgow and West Lothian but also from the wider Scottish community".

Big Lottery Director for Scotland Dharmendra Kanai said 7,000 people from schools and communities across West Lothian are being offered increased opportunities to take part in outdoor activities, "Big Lottery Fund's investment in supporting outdoor adventure in West Lothian will help younger people and other members of the wider community to be engaged and improve their wellbeing".

Councillor Jim Swan commented "The opening of this centre will make a major contribution to services which are available to both regular and new users of the Park.  Beecraigs Country Park is widely appreciated throughout West Lothian and, indeed, Scotland as a great place to enjoy outdoor pursuits and environmental activities throughout the year".

If you are interested in knowing more about this new facility or would be interested in booking, please do contact Beecraigs Country Park on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com

Polkemmet Country Park

In February 2006 Countryside Section received grant funding through "Woodlands In and Around Towns (WIAT)" to bring the woodland at Polkemmet Country Park, near Whitburn, back into management.  Work has started and is progressing well in a number of areas.  Current projects include clearance of invasive rhododendron from areas of old woodland to allow native plants to establish (carried out in partnership with BTCV), footpath drainage and re-surfacing work, new signage at pedestrian entrances, installation of a new orienteering course, creation of an interpretative tree trail and management of existing ponds for the benefit of wildlife and conservation. 

Further information on WIAT scheme can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland