After sending off Paul Duffy to check the planned toilet site and proposed first mountain bike trail for possible archaeological sites of interest, we didn’t think to ask him to let us know when he’d checked the toilet site. So instead, we had the joy of coming under Richards command for moving some logs whilst we waited, and waited, and waited for him to return from checking the mountain bike trail. Our plea for tea was forgotten when he finally strode back and gave us the all clear for both sites.

Richard and Iain headed off to the sawmill to get on with preparing some timber, whilst the rest of us started digging. Then we moved some wood. Then we changed our minds and started digging somewhere else. Then we started sawing some branches off the tree next to the site. Then we changed our minds and started digging somewhere else. Finally we realised we needed a plan. Much head scratching later, thanks to the combined talents of Ray and Colin and the tactful silence from the rest of us, we had a design suited to the site and could actually get on with the construction.

While the lads did their thing and constructed the frame, the lasses took on the traditional role of tea brewers. Unfortunately the lasses were somewhat unsuccessful due to the lack of dry wood available and general incompetence on my part. Happily the lads did much better and we got the frame together.

Richard turned up at this point, uttering the immortal words: ‘Well, I don’t want to tell you how to do it, but…..’ He was promptly ignored and with a bit of team work, we got the frame up on the mound whilst Richard demonstrated the traditional foresters way for starting a fire and put me to shame. He then stole half my lunch and gave the other half to someone else. Thanks Richard.

Colin, Ray and Richard went off to move more logs, whilst Tim headed off to get more milled wood. Ellen, Mel and myself started getting the cladding nailed onto the frame – with much hilarity when I got stuck half-way up the ladder frozen with fear from being a terrifying four foot of the ground. Then I dropped a spirit level on Tim’s head. Ahem.

The lads got back, put in the floor and we called it a day. We didn’t get it as finished as we wanted to, but we had a good craic, learnt the best way to make fire, agreed Richard is best ignored and established an excess of food and tea are the essential components needed for a successful day in the forest.

If you can help us finish off the compost toilet this Saturday – please come along to the work area, 800m up the track next to the Rhubodach Cottage, this Saturday for 10am. Bring any tools you have, gloves, sensible boats, warm and waterproof clothes and lunch.

This post is part of the TalentScotland Graduate Placement Programme and part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and European Regional Development Fund.

• Drop-in event in November with the architects and hydro scheme consultants
• Website page with plans, FAQ and short surveys http://www.buteforest.com/forest-masterplan-hydro-scheme-feasibility-study/
• Opportunity to discuss the plans with Bute Forest Ltd Directors at the First Tree Cut event http://www.buteforest.com/successful-first-tree-cut-event/
• Column in the Buteman inviting people to view the plans on-line or in the office
• Talk at the Buteshire Natural History Society inviting people to view the plans on-line or in the office
• Meetings and discussions with the Ramblers group (including walk around the forest), Bute Bird group, Boys Brigade, Bute Astronomy Club and Bute Conservation Trust
• Meeting with Colintraive Community Council Chair, Development Trust Chair and Local Development Officer
• Mail out to members
• Requested meetings with several other community groups and organisations

Planned additional consultations include:

• Article in the Buteman this week
• Display at compost toilet building volunteer day, 28th Jan http://www.buteforest.com/build-a-compost-toilet-day/

If you have any suggestions for further consultation work, please email me emma@buteforest.com

Thank you!

I would love to know about your walks too and what you find. Have you seen something of interest? Found some work that needs doing? Spotted an area of interest? You can post on this website, leave photos or email me and I can incorporate your comments into my next blog.

Its your forest, our forest – what have you found?

We are in need of general and qualified (those who have chainsaw or wood working qualifications) volunteers to help us build our first compost toilet on Saturday 28th January from 10am – 4pm.

Please let Emma know via emma@buteforest.com or 01700 500541 or pop into the office if you plan to attend or if you would like or need a lift to the work site. You can take part in all or part of the day’s work.

Bring a packed lunch or something for the BBQ, wear sensible boots and waterproofs, bring gloves and any tools you have (e.g. hammer, tape, saw, level) and meet us at the work area at the top of the access track next to Rhubodach Cottage. Please park on the main road. The work area is approx. 800 yards from the road.

Please arrive promptly to receive the safety briefing.

Qualified Volunteers

Volunteers wishing to help out with chainsaw work need to register with Emma before the event. This is to satisfy our insurers that we have the adequate safety measures in place. Emma will need to see your qualification certificates and take you through a 20-min induction process.

Volunteer Policy

Our volunteer policy will be available here for download shortly.

The most recent draft of the Forest Master Plan, shared at the consultation event held in November is now available for download:

Final Draft Master Plan – Brief Overview

Final Draft Master Plan Dec 2011 - In full

FAQ’s and consultation responses provide an overview of the plan and key concerns:

FAQ Master Plan – Jan 2012

The map below shows where facilities are expected to be placed:

Planned Forest Facility Locations Map

We are asking for final comments by 31st Jan on the plan so that we can finalise it and move forward.

To complete a short survey on the master plan please follow this link:

Survey: Master Plan

Hydro Scheme

The most recent report produced by the hydro-scheme consultants Mott MacDonald Ltd, shared at the consultation event held in November is now available for download:

Phase 1b Summary Report – Dec 2011

FAQ’s and consultation responses provide a more accessible introduction to the key issues and will be updated as appropriate:

FAQ Hydro Jan 2012

We are asking for final comments by 31st Jan on the scheme so that we can finalise it and move forward.

To complete a short survey on the hydro scheme please follow this link:

Survey: Hydro Scheme

The event, organised by the Forest Support Group, marks the start of the tree thinning which will be taking place in the forest over the next few months. The first thinning will allow the remaining trees to grow straighter and quicker, as well as improving the overall health of the forest and its flora and fauna. It will also start to provide Bute Forest Ltd with a small income to fund the development of paths and bike trails in the forest. Watch this space for details of the first trail opening event, expected in April.

Volunteer are vital to the development of the forest in an environmentally and financially sustainable manner. If you are willing to help, in any capacity, with the creation of this exciting community asset, please contact Emma Cooper, Forest Manager by email emma@buteforest.com, popping into the office on Victoria Street (next to Lloyds Pharmacy) or calling 01700 500541.

With thanks to:

• Stuart Reid for moving rock and preparing our worksite
• George Ghillies for planing the wood for our sign
• Malcy Johnson for doing the lettering on our sign
• Martin Caitlin for providing the posts and fixings
• Duncan McAllister at Nether Ardroscadale for help assembling our saw mill
• Hanne Mason
• Richard Matts
• Timothy Stobart
• Maria van Oostende
• Jim Mitchell
• Ellen Lambert
• Rothesay Co-op
• Andy Walters
• Aidan Canavan
• Ed Laughton
• Dawn Collis
• Glyn Collis
• LEADER
• HIE

…and many others

Come along to celebrate with mulled wine & Danish apple dumplings, pick up a Christmas Tree, enjoy the music, meet our new Forest Manager, find out about volunteering opportunities and build yourself a souvenir from the wood.

Suitable for all ages.

Directions

Park at Rhudobach Cottage (on the waterside) or at ferry lay-by and follow signs 800m to the site. Wear warm clothes and waterproof shoes and bring a torch!

Supported by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, which sponsors only those projects which can offer a lasting legacy of measurable and significant carbon emission reduction, Mott MacDonald will work with both BCLC and the island’s community to develop the Hydro Scheme project and therefore, the future financial sustainability of Bute’s Community Forest.

The timeline for the development stage starts from now until 31^st March 2012, in which time Karen Keast, who Mott MacDonald have designated as the Balnakailly Hydro Scheme project manager, will work closely with the Bute Forest Manager to prepare and plan for the establishment of a hydro plant in Bute’s much celebrated Community Forest. During the months of September and December, the local community will be invited to public events in order to undertake comprehensive and inclusive formal community consultation.  Together, the directors of BCLC-in particular consultant engineer Jim Mitchell, the Forest Project Manager and Mott MacDonald will be available to answer questions and provide information on the project’s development.

With both EU and Scottish government support in the form of Highlands and Island Enterprise and LEADER grants, BCLC has been able to employ a Forest manager for a total period of two years in which to pursue the development of environmentally and financially sustainable projects in Bute’s Community Forest. The efforts of the Forest Manager and the vision of BCLC are now soon to be realised—after months of consultation with statutory consultees, Community Energy Scotland, and independent experts, work is already underway!

Written by Justine Ballantyne

Of course, we will need to carefully pack the right equipment: a white sheet, bug box, magnifying glass and a small book on bugs.  We will need provisions to keep us going, the usual lunch box fare.  And we hope the weather will be kind.  The logistics have to be right.

In the course of discussing and planning all this, I get caught up in her sense of thrill and wonder why I needed prompting in the first place.  Eleanor Roosevelt once famously said “Do one thing every day that scares you.”  This little adventure may not be that scary to me but that exhilarating feeling of doing something just that bit out of the ordinary is just as satisfying.

When was the last time you went on an adventure?