Completed Projects from the Southern Uplands Partnership

Southern Uplands Partnership - Completed Projects

Communities on the Edge (COTE)
Objectives:to work with three communities (Langholm, Douglas and Yetholm) and three rural estate businesses (Buccleuch, Douglas & Angus and Roxburghe Estates respectively) to identify opportunities for new rural enterprises and to encourage development of these. Project completed January 2009 after a successful conference for land owners at Floors Castle with the publication of an Animators handbook.

Ayrshire Red Squirrels budget is £37,000 (Ayrshire Red Squirrel Group) now extended to Dec 2008
SUP will charge £1150 for management this FY.

Objective: to maintain red squirrel refuge woodlands where viable populations of reds can persist in South and East Ayrshire. This is done by employing a project officer who is working with foresters, agencies and the public.

Farm Diversification Total budget £59,000 (SNH) to Sept 2008.
Objectives:to work with farming families within or close to National Scenic Areas with the aim of encouraging them to diversify into non-agricultural businesses based on high quality landscape and natural heritage.

RSSS III £135,000 (SNH £35,300, BAGS £15,000, HLF £39,700, Forestry Commission £20,000, Charitable Trusts/donations £25,000) over two years through to October 2007

Objective: to maintain red squirrel refuge woodlands where viable populations of reds can persist in the southern Borders and Dumfries & Galloway. This is done by employing an officer who is working with foresters, agencies and the public.

Biosphere Total budget £59,000 (SNH) through to October 2007
Objective: to raise awareness of the potential of Biosphere designation in the Galloway/Ayrshire region and to collect local opinions on the value of applying to UNESCO for Biosphere status.

The final report was submitted in October and a DVD of the trip to the Cevennes (which took place in early November 07) is now completed and available to view via the SUP website as is the DVD of the trip.

New COTE project budget £125,000 (Carnegie UK Trust) to end October 2007.

Original COTE project budget £105,000 (Leader+ £35,500, Rural Challenge Fund £42,500, Scottish Enterprise £13,500, Estates £13,500 over three years to November 2007.

Black Grouse Total budget £73,000 (SNH £19,000, RSPB £2000, Leader+ £23,700, BAGS £27,200, SBC £1,100) over two years through to Sept 2007.

SUP is not taking a management fee from this project. Project score 46. Rank equal 6.
Objective: to halt the decline in the black grouse in the eastern southern uplands by working with key landowners and agencies and to develop a large scale upland restoration project.

The original project is now complete and Tom Adamson has left. Efforts to extend it to something bigger are continuing in partnership with BFT and Tweed Forum. £10k is currently on offer from RSPB to help get the 14 management plans produced by the project implemented under the new RDC scheme.

Cheviot Hills Access Audit Budget was £9,000 (SNH £6000, SBC £3000) of which SUP retained £500 to cover costs. Project score 54. Rank 2.

Work on the audit in Scotland has now been completed. The NNPA is keen to see the approach extended to cover the English side of the border and there may be a role here for SUP.

S Scotland Countryside Trails 2 (HLF). Feasibility work on an Annandale Link extension has been completed but the route has turned out to be problematic due to an unstable slope.

New Rural Apprenticeships. (£18k. Borders and S Lanarks L+, SLC, Borders College, SEB, Lantra, BFRS,) A Borders/S Lanarks project to commission a study into existing provision for rural skills training in the light of forthcoming changes to rural development support and CAP reform.

Local procurement of Food. (D&G LA21, SEDG, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Scottish Community Diet Project). Contract awarded to Adam Wellings Consulting & Grassroots Food Network has been completed. The report has been published on the web and circulated to members of SEDG Planning to Succeed farming groups.

Nature-based tourism. SUP meeting with VisitScotland executives in September to discuss role of nbt in strategy for south of Scotland. NBT has now been mainstreamed as part of VisitScotland strategy.

SUW – A Development Officer post has now been filled and as a result SUP coordination is no longer required.

S Scotland Countryside Trails. Total value £700,000. Funding from SoSEP (ERDF Ob2); HLF; SNH; FE; Landfill tax and
D&GC. Project now completed

SUW21. (SBC, D&GC, SLC, SNH) Celebration of the 21st Birthday continuing – with Catalyst contracted to deliver project. SUW21 website established. Successful Objective 2 grant application will allow a route marketing manager to start work in April. The Scottish Communities Foundation is working on plan to run a challenge event on a part of the SUW in 2007.

Red Squirrels in South Scotland Phase 2.

SUW User Survey. (D&GC, SBC, SUW.com, SNH, SLC, SED&G, Leader+). Detailed user survey has been completed by Crichton Tourism Research Centre and circulated. Summary report circulated to 940 businesses along the route and fliers now going out to those requesting them.

Nature-based tourism. An audit of NBT resource of S Lanarks and S and E Ayrshire and to examine 5 potential working “clusters” (one in each LA area) extended to look at an additional 5 clusters completed May 2005. Very positive workshop took place in Ayrshire on May 24th.

RDR consultation. Response drafted on behalf of D&G Leader+ LAG. Completed May 2005

Mountain Hares (SNH, SLC and SBC) Study into the current status of the species in the S Uplands completed May 2005.

The Southern Uplands Book and Website. Funding: Local Authorities, SNH, Forward Scotland and Scottish Power. Booklet has been completed and is now being circulated.

Equestrian Tourism (BHSS, SBTB, D&GTB, VisitScotland; SLC, SED&G and SBC) Market research contract completed and seminar took place in November 2004 (chaired by Ian Stark) – Riders Welcome scheme was launched at the same event.

Woodfuel. (Reforesting Scotland) Very successful trip to Keilder Village heating scheme on the 22nd September and Community Benefit event held at Tweed Horizons in November 04.

Bracken. A 2 day bracken management seminar took place in Northumberland in July (13th and 14th ) organised by the International Bracken Group. The SUP was promoted at this event.

CAP Reform seminars. On behalf of SEERAD and WWFN. These took place Nov/Dec 2003.

SUP Project Plan – produced May 1998 and Business Plan – Produced 2002 now being reviewed and extended to 2006.

Website – now fully functioning (www.sup.org.uk).

Jobs study Cost £10,000 (SNH, RSPB, FC, LECs, SBC, D&GC) results published 2001.

Food Seminars (one in each of Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Carfraemill)

Environmental Education lecture at Bowhill. (Buccleuch Estates) Text published 2000.

Integrated Rural Development Conference held October 2001.

Foot and Mouth ‘Lessons Learnt’ (D&GC, Buccleuch, SBC) seminar held in Dumfries Sept 2002.

Green labelling. £5500 (LECs) Report finalised and on website.

Environment and Tourism Recovery Grant Scheme. (SNH, SED&G, SEB, SBC, D&GC). FWAG commissioned.

Bracken Management booklet Originally cost £3000. (SBC, D&GC, SEPA ESW, WSW, SNH, SERAD, MLURI) published April 2001. Reprinted February 2003 thanks to support from SNH.

South Scotland Environmental Resource Centre. (SBC, D&GC, SNH, SEPA, RSPB) There are ongoing developments in both Borders and D&G where separate ERC projects are being developed.




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Southern Uplands Partnership - Completed Projects Communities on the Edge (COTE) Objectives:to work with three communities (Langholm, Douglas and Yetholm) and three rural estate businesses (Buccleuch, Douglas & Angus and Roxburghe Estates respectively) to identify opportunities for new rural enterprises and to encourage development of these. Project completed January 2009 after a successful conference for land owners at Floors Castle with the publication of an Animators handbook. Ayrshire Red Squirrels budget is £37,000 (Ayrshire Red Squirrel Group) now extended to Dec 2008 SUP will charge £1150 for management this FY. Objective: to maintain red squirrel refuge woodlands where viable populations of reds can persist in South and East Ayrshire. This is done by employing a project officer who is working with foresters, agencies and the public. Farm Diversification Total budget £59,000 (SNH) to Sept 2008. Objectives:to work with farming families within or close to National Scenic Areas with the aim of encouraging them to diversify into non-agricultural businesses based on high quality landscape and natural heritage. RSSS III £135,000 (SNH £35,300, BAGS £15,000, HLF £39,700, Forestry Commission £20,000, Charitable Trusts/donations £25,000) over two years through to October 2007 Objective: to maintain red squirrel refuge woodlands where viable populations of reds can persist in the southern Borders and Dumfries & Galloway. This is done by employing an officer who is working with foresters, agencies and the public. Biosphere Total budget £59,000 (SNH) through to October 2007 Objective: to raise awareness of the potential of Biosphere designation in the Galloway/Ayrshire region and to collect local opinions on the value of applying to UNESCO for Biosphere status. The final report was submitted in October and a DVD of the trip to the Cevennes (which took place in early November 07) is now completed and available to view via the SUP website as is the DVD of the trip. New COTE project budget £125,000 (Carnegie UK Trust) to end October 2007. Original COTE project budget £105,000 (Leader+ £35,500, Rural Challenge Fund £42,500, Scottish Enterprise £13,500, Estates £13,500 over three years to November 2007. Black Grouse Total budget £73,000 (SNH £19,000, RSPB £2000, Leader+ £23,700, BAGS £27,200, SBC £1,100) over two years through to Sept 2007. SUP is not taking a management fee from this project. Project score 46. Rank equal 6. Objective: to halt the decline in the black grouse in the eastern southern uplands by working with key landowners and agencies and to develop a large scale upland restoration project. The original project is now complete and Tom Adamson has left. Efforts to extend it to something bigger are continuing in partnership with BFT and Tweed Forum. £10k is currently on offer from RSPB to help get the 14 management plans produced by the project implemented under the new RDC scheme. Cheviot Hills Access Audit Budget was £9,000 (SNH £6000, SBC £3000) of which SUP retained £500 to cover costs. Project score 54. Rank 2. Work on the audit in Scotland has now been completed. The NNPA is keen to see the approach extended to cover the English side of the border and there may be a role here for SUP. S Scotland Countryside Trails 2 (HLF). Feasibility work on an Annandale Link extension has been completed but the route has turned out to be problematic due to an unstable slope. New Rural Apprenticeships. (£18k. Borders and S Lanarks L+, SLC, Borders College, SEB, Lantra, BFRS,) A Borders/S Lanarks project to commission a study into existing provision for rural skills training in the light of forthcoming changes to rural development support and CAP reform. Local procurement of Food. (D&G LA21, SEDG, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Scottish Community Diet Project). Contract awarded to Adam Wellings Consulting & Grassroots Food Network has been completed. The report has been published on the web and circulated to members of SEDG Planning to Succeed farming groups. Nature-based tourism. SUP meeting with VisitScotland executives in September to discuss role of nbt in strategy for south of Scotland. NBT has now been mainstreamed as part of VisitScotland strategy. SUW – A Development Officer post has now been filled and as a result SUP coordination is no longer required. S Scotland Countryside Trails. Total value £700,000. Funding from SoSEP (ERDF Ob2); HLF; SNH; FE; Landfill tax and D&GC. Project now completed SUW21. (SBC, D&GC, SLC, SNH) Celebration of the 21st Birthday continuing – with Catalyst contracted to deliver project. SUW21 website established. Successful Objective 2 grant application will allow a route marketing manager to start work in April. The Scottish Communities Foundation is working on plan to run a challenge event on a part of the SUW in 2007. Red Squirrels in South Scotland Phase 2. SUW User Survey. (D&GC, SBC, SUW.com, SNH, SLC, SED&G, Leader+). Detailed user survey has been completed by Crichton Tourism Research Centre and circulated. Summary report circulated to 940 businesses along the route and fliers now going out to those requesting them. Nature-based tourism. An audit of NBT resource of S Lanarks and S and E Ayrshire and to examine 5 potential working “clusters” (one in each LA area) extended to look at an additional 5 clusters completed May 2005. Very positive workshop took place in Ayrshire on May 24th. RDR consultation. Response drafted on behalf of D&G Leader+ LAG. Completed May 2005 Mountain Hares (SNH, SLC and SBC) Study into the current status of the species in the S Uplands completed May 2005. The Southern Uplands Book and Website. Funding: Local Authorities, SNH, Forward Scotland and Scottish Power. Booklet has been completed and is now being circulated. Equestrian Tourism (BHSS, SBTB, D&GTB, VisitScotland; SLC, SED&G and SBC) Market research contract completed and seminar took place in November 2004 (chaired by Ian Stark) – Riders Welcome scheme was launched at the same event. Woodfuel. (Reforesting Scotland) Very successful trip to Keilder Village heating scheme on the 22nd September and Community Benefit event held at Tweed Horizons in November 04. Bracken. A 2 day bracken management seminar took place in Northumberland in July (13th and 14th ) organised by the International Bracken Group. The SUP was promoted at this event. CAP Reform seminars. On behalf of SEERAD and WWFN. These took place Nov/Dec 2003. SUP Project Plan – produced May 1998 and Business Plan – Produced 2002 now being reviewed and extended to 2006. Website – now fully functioning (www.sup.org.uk). Jobs study Cost £10,000 (SNH, RSPB, FC, LECs, SBC, D&GC) results published 2001. Food Seminars (one in each of Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Carfraemill) Environmental Education lecture at Bowhill. (Buccleuch Estates) Text published 2000. Integrated Rural Development Conference held October 2001. Foot and Mouth ‘Lessons Learnt’ (D&GC, Buccleuch, SBC) seminar held in Dumfries Sept 2002. Green labelling. £5500 (LECs) Report finalised and on website. Environment and Tourism Recovery Grant Scheme. (SNH, SED&G, SEB, SBC, D&GC). FWAG commissioned. Bracken Management booklet Originally cost £3000. (SBC, D&GC, SEPA ESW, WSW, SNH, SERAD, MLURI) published April 2001. Reprinted February 2003 thanks to support from SNH. South Scotland Environmental Resource Centre. (SBC, D&GC, SNH, SEPA, RSPB) There are ongoing developments in both Borders and D&G where separate ERC projects are being developed.		Map Geology History The Uplands Forest & Woodlands Rolling Farmland Watery Habitats Towns & Villages Employment Leisure Nature Based Tourism Trail Riding What People Say Find Out More Credits Links