Category: People Training and Wildlife

Community Grants Scheme

The Community Grants Scheme (CGS) will support activities at a community level that complement those taking place through the wider Landscape Partnership Scheme (LPS) and provide benefit to people living within the project area. The intention is to encourage as wide a range of groups and individuals as possible to have involvement with and benefit from the LPS. The CGS will seek to support projects which broadly meet the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) nine outcomes, whilst contributing specifically to at least two of these. Small grants will be offered on a yearly basis, at different rates and amounts, on the two bases outlined below:   Locally constituted Community Groups and Organisations To enable projects and activities which meet the LPS’ objectives and provide community benefit. Groups that would be eligible include, but would not be limited to; Community Councils, Grazings Committees, Tourist Associations, Heritage and other special interest groups. Grants up to a total value of £5,000 per project would be available.   Individuals within the Project Area To enable projects / opportunities to be undertaken which provide benefit to…

Natural Heritage Data Project

The Assynt Field Club set up a website in 2009 to provide a window to Assynt’s natural heritage and landscapes for local residents, visitors to the area and the wider scientific community.  It also encourages observations to be contributed.  From 2013-14 the website received 1,441 contributions. The previous website only allowed the display and storage of limited information from these contributions. Through this project a modern, vibrant website will be created to replace the previous website, improving public access to large quantities of currently inaccessible natural heritage data.  By showcasing and interpreting the landscapes and natural heritage of Assynt, this website will enhance the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of this area for all users and encourage further input of data and records from users. The website will have the capacity to collect and store more data and it is hoped this new data will enhance and add to the available information, helping to build a better picture of the Assynt Landscape and how it is changing. This data can then be used to input into future land management decisions. Both…

Marine Project

The culture and prosperity of Coigach and Assynt has been linked to the sea for centuries but as sea health has diminished many of those links have been lost. This project builds on previous work undertaken, particularly that of the Highland Seashore Project, to give greater prominence to the local marine environment. The project area includes the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area (MPA), designated in 2014, one of around 30 across Scotland. MPAs form part of a network of nature conservation sites around the Scottish coast aimed to protect and aide recovery of important habitats and species. Several groups have been involved in developing the project. All have strong ties with the local community and a keen interest in marine issues. The aims of the project are to: Generate greater awareness and knowledge of Coigach and Assynt’s rich marine heritage and how people can engage more actively with it. Build a greater appreciation and desire to protect this important asset from an environmental, social and economic perspective.

Sustainable Deer Management

Deer management in Scotland is overseen by SNH, with decisions and actions at a local level undertaken by Deer Management Groups (DMGs) who co-ordinate activity between the land-owners and managers within each area. The CALL area falls with the West Sutherland Deer Management Group (WSDMG) which itself is split into four sub-groups, two of which fall within the CALLP Scheme area. Deer range is one of the primary land uses in Coigach and Assynt and deer management impacts on the local economy (by generating income), the community (by employing stalkers and support workers) and the environment (by the impact of deer on habitats). The aims of the project are to: Support deer managers in the area to implement and deliver on the actions identified within the deer management plans currently under production, thereby delivering benefits for the common wild deer herd, contributing to the socio-economic wellbeing of people working in the local deer sector and improving open and woodland habitats. Gather data to inform deer management plans, training for land managers and investigating opportunities for deer product businesses. Carry out…

Crofting Project

Crofting is a unique social system which stems from the Highland clearances of the Nineteenth Century and has played a crucial role in shaping the landscape, natural environment, cultural heritage and social economy of all the crofting counties. In the project area there are three main areas under crofting tenure; the Coigach Peninsula, the Assynt Coast from Lochinver north to Stoer and then east to Kylesku and the townships of Elphin and Knockan on the eastern edge of the project area. Crofting is the primary form of small scale land tenure in the project area and a key part of the social and economic fabric. In addition crofting land management can have considerable environmental benefits, and perhaps most importantly provides a vital link between the local community and the land. The aims of the project are to: Provide support and practical assistance to crofters throughout the local area to allow them to realise their ambitions, make the most of the land under their custody and to encourage new entrants. Employ a Sustainable Crofting & Rural Projects Coordinator who will oversee…

Woodland Artisan Courses

This project aims to fulfil local demand for training courses utilising local timber and woodland resources to create products such as spoons, bowls, furniture, hazel hurdles, baskets and wild food products. Courses will be organised and run over the five years in conjunction with the local learning centre at various locations throughout Coigach and Assynt. The aims of the project are to: Introduce the art of working with natural products to ensure that traditional crafts and skills are maintained and passed onto the next generation. Reconnect people with the land and uses of the natural products. Foster a desire to manage the land in order to increase local natural sources for future use. Visit our Events page to find out details of upcoming courses.

Outdoor and Woodland Learning

The Outdoor and Woodland Learning project encourages education about the area’s natural environment in order to nurture a legacy of understanding and respect. It is the central access point for all school activities associated with the Landscape Partnership projects delivery. The aims of this project are to: Work with schools in, and associated with, the CALL project area to deliver and facilitate Outdoor Learning Sessions on a regular basis. Demonstrate the broad range of themes which can be taught outdoors. Work closely with schools and teaching staff to assist with training and development to ensure that the project will have a largely self-sustaining legacy.

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