BRAES OF BALQUHIDDER

S P EC IA L Q UA LITI ES O F B RE A D A LB AN E

BRAES OF BALQUHIDDER

Key Features

Loch Voil and Loch Doine

Braes of Balquhidder

Burial place of Rob Roy MacGregor


Summary of Evaluation

Sense of PlaceThe visual/sense of place qualities of this area are considered to be of highimportance, particularly the inland lochs such as Loch Voil and Loch Doine and thesurrounding open upland glens and hills. The upland glens are remote andundeveloped and include some dramatic hanging valleys and waterfalls, they oftenform part of the ‘walk in’ to the uplands and typically have framed views up to theupland slopes and summits or down to glimpses of glen floor, strath farmland andlochs beyond. The upland hills are visually dominant as distinctive landmarks creatinga strong sense of local identity and include the twin peaks of Ben More and StobBinnein. Settlement is located on the loch shore and introduces a human dimension tothe Balquhidder Glen and the loch landscapes.

Cultural heritage The landuse is predominantly moorland and rough grazing which is characteristic ofmuch of the National Park. There are surviving areas of medieval/post medieval pre-improvement agricuture including shielings, deserted farmsteads and cultivationremains across this area, most visible in the open glens and hills.

The area contains some historic features of high value including burial grounds datingto the 17th/18th century. There are prehistoric cup and ring marked stones whichprovide tantalising glimpses of the presence of people in the glen in the lateNeolithic/early Bronze Age around four to five thousand years ago.

The area is relatively unsettled and the main village is the dispersed settlement ofBalquhidder. The village has a number of small crofts with fields running down to theloch side. The Old Parish Church and Graveyard are of particular historic interest.

BiodiversityThe biodiversity of the area is of high importance. Loch Voil and Loch Doine are part ofthe River Teith Special Area of Conservation for salmon and lampreys. In addition tothe lochs the upland areas such as the Braes of Balquhidder provide important uplandhabitats and part of the uplands lies within the Stob Binnein/Ben More SSSI, with manyrare upland plant communities. Red deer and mountain hare and upland birds such asskylark, breeding waders, ptarmigan, red grouse, buzzard and golden eagle may beseen in these areas. Although the majority of the area is open uplands and glens someof the glens are wooded or forested, particularly those to south of Loch Voil and LochDoine. These areas support woodland flora and fauna.

AssociationsThe associations of this area are internationally renowned and of high importance. RobRoy MacGregor spent his final years at Inverlochlarig and is buried at Balquhiddergraveyard. Balquhidder has also been home to the MacLaren Clan since the 12thcentury. Creag an Tuirc, the Boars Rock, was the ancient rallying place of the clan. Thesong ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ originally written by Robert Tannahill laments theclearance of Balquhidder in the 18th century.

At around the 8th century St Angus brought Christianity to Balquhidder and St Angus’Stone is in the Church.

Qualities valued by local communities(Source: Community Futures and Park Plan Workshop on Special Qualities, April 2004)

In addition see comments under Aberfoyle and Callander which were collected aspart of the Trossachs network

• Braes of Balquhidder

• Associations with Rob Roy

• Spiritual elements of the area and Celtic history


Special Qualities Appendix 63

MAP 3A – LANDSCAPE CHARACTER TYPES


64 Special Qualities Appendix

MAP 3B – HISTORIC LAND USE



MAP 3C - RELICT HISTORIC LAND USE



MAP 3D - NATURE CONSERVATION DESIGNATIONS



The open upland hills dominate theupper reaches and sides of the glensforming high rocky summits andridgelines, with a feeling of wildness,remoteness and exposure. Theupland slopes are distinct from theglen sides, which tend to form adiscrete mid slope.

Whilst being physically remote anddifficult to access, the open uplandhills are visually dominant andsignificant to communities andvisitors to the Park, as distinctivelandmarks that create a strong senseof identity. The views upBalquhidder Glen are exceptionaland the open uplands are asignificant component of thecomposition. The twin peaks of BenMore and Stob Binnein are wellrenowned Munros and particularlyvisually distinctive as seen fromBalquhidder Glen and theKingshouse area. The upland slopesand summits offer panoramic viewsover the surrounding area, accessibleonly by foot. These areas areremote and generally unspoiltalthough there is some evidence ofmasts, pylons and unsympathetictracks. Open upland hills are acharacteristic of all the highland areaof the Park, but are distinctive in theBreadalbane area as being generallyhigher and more unbroken, withdistinct exposed upper slopes whichsit beyond the enclosed glens.Qualities of wildness and tranquillitycan be more readily appreciated inBreadalbane compared to otherparts of the park. The overallexperience of travelling upBalquhidder, one of the Park’s leastdeveloped glens, and then walkingthrough the upland glens to theupper summits offers particulardramatic sequence and sense ofremoteness.

There are certain pressures on allupland hill areas including pylon,mast and wind farm development.Recreational pressures are alsoevident on popular upland tracks,which can easily become severelyeroded. The high visibility of theuplands and the general absence ofstructures or developments meanthat any intrusion on the scene islikely to be highly visible anddetrimental to the unspoilt qualitiesthat underpin the areas opportunityfor wildness and tranquillity.

Inappropriate development inneighbouring glen or uplandlandscapes can also adverselyimpact on the experience of theseuplands.

A scatter of shielings across thisZone is evidence of medievalsettlement and agriculture.

Important to local people, visitorsand specialists

Upper Glen Buckie has a group of atleast 22 shielings which is anunusually large concentration forthe open upland areas of thisCharacter Zone. Both circular andsquare shielings are presentconfirming different phases ofconstruction in the area.

Need to maintain as open areasespecially in Glen Buckie.Appropriate grazing regimes areneeded to ensure sites remain openand are not subsumed bywidespread regeneration of trees,especially birch and other scrub.The spread of bracken is also anissue. It obscures remains much ofthe year and damages buriedarchaeology. There is a lack of baseline survey data to enable effectivemonitoring of the effect of stocknumbers.

CulturalHeritage

LCT: OPEN UPLAND HILLS

The moorland hills to the north and south of Braes of Balquhidder and the high upper slopes and summits ofthe upper glen. Relatively small parts of the open upland areas have been drained in the 20th century andare used for rough grazing.

HLA: Prehistoric to present moorland and rough grazing

HLA Relict landuse: Areas of medieval/post medieval settlement and agriculture.

BENEFITS CONTRIBUTION TO BENEFIT? EVALUATION OF IMPORTANCE TRENDS & PRESSURES

Sense of place



Parts of the open upland hills to thenorth of the Braes of Balquhidderfall within the Stob Binnein BenMore SSSI, with many rare uplandplant communities. A mosaic of relatively naturalupland habitat types areconspicuous, e.g. moorland, blanketbog. Upland birds, e.g. ptarmigan,red grouse, breeding waders, skylark,buzzard, golden eagle and mammalsred deer, mountain hare are allpresent and often visible.

Important to local people, visitorsand specialists.

The upland wildlife and habitats areof very high biodiversity importance.

Overgrazing by sheep and deer maycurrently reduce the habitat qualityin places.

LCT: OPEN UPLAND HILLS (CONT)


Biodiversity

MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• The open upland areas need to be protected from development to maintain their open and wild character.

• Neighbouring uplands and glen landscapes should also be protected from inappropriate developments that wouldadversely impact on the peace and quiet and the view.

• Recreation and access pressures require to be managed to minimise damage.

• Interpretation and improved access to the sheiling sites could be promoted.

• Monitor the effect of changes in stock numbers and bracken spread on archaeological remains.

• Overgrazing by sheep and deer could be reduced through changes to management. Restructuring of upperwoodland edges may enhance the transition into this character type from the forested glens type.

• The biodiversity benefit could be enhanced. Ecologically more sympathetic management would allow plantcommunities such as tall herbs, heath, treeline and montane scrub to recover.



These narrow glens with steep sides,rocky outcrops and screes, burns andwaterfalls, are remote andundeveloped. They include someexamples of dramatic hangingvalleys and waterfalls. The higherupland glens provide open vistasand varied views as a result of theirelevation and openness.

Upper Balquhidder is anexceptionally important openupland landscape, unspoilt bydevelopment or afforestation, theinteresting topography and remote‘interior’ location of the glen,surrounded by some of the mostdramatic mountain scenery,contribute to the areas wild land andtranquil qualities. Glen Buckie isparticularly remote from views andaccess. The open upland glens haveno vehicular access from the lowerglen, which itself is only accessed bysingle tracks. They also tend to behidden from direct views, althoughthe void of the deep glens isapparent from the surroundingslopes and creates a great sense ofdepth in the landscape. These glensare of great significance to hillwalkers, often forming part of the‘walk in’. The glens contribute to theoverall open character of the openuplands and whilst well representedin the Breadalbane area, represent apristine example in upperBalquhidder. The glens typicallyhave framed views up to the uplandslopes and summits or down toglimpses of the glen floor, strathfarmland and lochs beyond. Theopen upland glens are a valuablelandscape and ecological resource.

Pressures which exist on thislandscape include afforestation, newwoodlands, hill tracks,and hydro-electric power developments.

Within the glens, especially in GlenBuckie, there are surviving areas of amedieval/post medieval pre-improvement agricultural system,including shielings, desertedfarmsteads, townships andcultivation remains. Many of theshielings are cut off from theirtownships except in GlenBuckie/Glen Dubh. There is alsosome evidence of iron working.Documentary research in theBalquhidder area has confirmed thata number of the townships andfarms have their origins in themedieval period. There is also aprobable prehistoric homestead atInverlochlarig which gives hints atearlier settlement in these glens.

Of interest to local people andvisitors, especially those undertakinggenealogical research. Also ofspecialist archaeological interestmainly because of their potential toretain information on the sequentoccupancy of these glens, especiallythrough the medieval and postmedieval periods, particularly inthose areas which have managed toavoid large scale conifer plantation(Character Zone Forested UplandGlen). The archaeological remainsalso give added value to thehillwalking experience.

Glen Buckie is particularly importantas it includes one of only a handfulof township sites of this type in thePark which have been subject toarchaeological excavation. Evidenceof iron working, whilst important, isbetter represented elsewhere in thePark (at Leny Woods).

Care should be taken to avoidsevering links, both visual andphysical between townships andfarmsteads and their shielinggrounds, some of which may lie inthe Open Upland Hills Zone. Thisshould be a particularly importantconsideration when designingschemes for woodland regenerationand from damage whenimplementing such schemes orfelling existing plantations.

CulturalHeritage

LCT: OPEN UPLAND GLEN

The glens dissecting the open upland moorland hills, including and extending from upper part of BalquhidderGlen and Glen Buckie.

HLA: Prehistoric to present moorland and rough grazing



Sense of place



A number of the open glens runningnorth from Inverlochlarig form partof the Ben More and Stob BinneinSSSI. Others contain significantsalmon spawning habitat in the RiverTeith SAC. Red deer andconspicuous birds including skylark,waders, short eared owl, goldeneagle and hen harrier may be seen inthese areas.

Important to local people,specialists and some categories ofvisitors such as hillwalkers & stalkers

Of medium biodiversity importance.

A reduction in grazing could allowheather and other plants to recoverallowing some bird species toincrease e.g. grouse.

LCT: OPEN UPLAND GLEN (CONT)


Biodiversity


• The undeveloped and predominantly open character should be conserved.

• Retain the open qualities by supporting upland agriculture but seek enhancements to open habitats throughmanagement of grazing regimes.

• Focus new native woodland along burn sides or in relation to local enclosing slopes or features.

• Access to cultural heritage could be enhanced through improving the footpath link from Glen Finglas to Balquhidderand enhancing the walking experience. Interpretation (not signboards should be either guided walks or self-guideleaflets) and the possibility of stabilisation of the ruins here could be considered.

• In terms of landscape and biodiversity the integration of the open upland glens with other landscape character typescould be improved, e.g. through softening adjacent woodland edges and limited expansion of tree cover in this LCT.



Dense commercial plantations,often provide a uniform andenclosed appearance in thelandscape.

The forested upland glens are nothighly visible from the main glen asthey are seen foreshortened. Theytend to have a negative impact onlandscape character and visualquality on both the visitorexperience and for localcommunities. Commercialplantations in the upland glens (andglen slopes) comprise theprominent type of woodland in theBreadalbane area and within theindividual glens, where there is arelatively poor representation ofmore natural woodlands. Theforested tributary upland glens oflower and mid Balquhidder Glen,whilst not prominent in the widerlandscape, impact negatively on thesetting of the surrounding uplands,with forestry tending to extend toofar up slope, with insensitive marginsand artificial abrupt transitions tothe open ground. The Braes ofBalquhidder are particularlyadversely affected. The forestry alsodetracts from hill walks. Otherfeatures, such as engineered forestroads, erosion scars and drainageditches can also cause significantnegative visual impact. There is acumulative negative impact fromthese forested landscapes wherethey are seen with the forested glensides and the amount of forestryobscures the distinctiveness andidentity of glen structures.

The scale of this feature is likely todecrease over time as coniferouswoodlands are restructured.

At present there is an abundance offorested glen, with felling andreplanting likely to be the key forcesfor change. New forest siting anddesign guidelines will help toimprove the landscape character.


Sense of place

These coniferous woodlands datemainly from the 20th century,representing the phase of forestexpansion. Numerousarchaeological sites includingshielings and bloomeries (ironworking) still survive totallysubsumed within the plantationswhile yet others have beendestroyed. Shielings are cut off fromtheir townships on the lowerground. There are areas ofmedieval/post medieval relictsettlement and agriculture aroundMuirlaggan.

Important to specialists and localpeople.

Monachyle Glen is a particularlypoignant example where althoughsome important archaeology wasleft unforested it has beenconcealed/damaged by theencroachment of seeded trees andbracken.

The future felling of trees couldresult in further damage toarchaeological features if this is notcarried out sensitively.

CulturalHeritage

LCT: FORESTED UPLAND GLEN

Forested upland glens occur along the southern side of the Braes of Balquhidder and into the sideglens to the north. HLA: 20th century coniferous woodland and forestry with smaller areas of prehistoric to presentmoorland and rough HLA Relict landuse: Some remains of the medieval/post medieval period survive.




• Landscape and biodiversity benefits could be enhanced through restructuring with an emphasis on native woodlandsand networks of open space.

• Opportunities should be taken to rescue the heritage sites from the trees when felling and restocking takes place.

• Access to a selection of historic sites should also be considered. A footpath already climbs through Monachyle Glenand the experience for walkers and other visitors could be enhanced.

• Scope exists to reverse the historical losses by felling significant tracts of the non-native conifers and replacing themwith new native pinewood and broadleaved woodlands, especially on FCS land and though SFGS elsewhere. Thisprocess is already underway in places.

LCT: FORESTED UPLAND GLEN (CONT)




There is a range of native birdsincluding some visible or iconicspecies e.g. song birds, black grouse,raptors. Red squirrel, pine marten,roe and red deer, areas of ancientwoodland, significant pockets ofnative broadleaf and pine treesamongst commercial conifers.


The woodland biodiversity is of medium importance.

The benefit could be significantlyexpanded through an increase inextent and quality of the nativewoodland habitat.

The red squirrel population in thisarea is potentially under threat from the expansion of grey squirrelpopulations up the Teith catchment.

Biodiversity

There is some visible evidence ofthe pre-improvement agriculturalsystem surviving on the open southfacing glen sides in the form ofdeserted farmsteads and townships.Some may date back to themedieval period although many intheir present form probably belongto the 18th century. Many of theshielings are cut off from theirtownships on the lower ground byconifer plantations. There areseveral prehistoric cup markedstones recorded from the fieldsimmediately to the north of the roadon the eastern edge of thisCharacter Zone. These providetantalising glimpses of the presenceof people in the glen in the lateNeolithic/Early Bronze Age around4-5 thousand years ago.

Most important to local people andvisitors, especially those tracing theirroots.

Increase in woodland cover couldaffect archaeological remains.


Sense of place



Open glen sides contribute to thediversity of the landscape as theyprovide a visual contrast withwooded and forested glen sides.

Interesting large scale openlandscapes with varied features suchas waterfalls and screes, which relateto the open upper slopes andsummits and provide contrast anddiversity with the forested glen sidessouth of mid and lower BalquhidderGlen and the forested upland glensof the Braes of Balquhidder. Inplaces there appear to be relictlanduse patterns, which create greatvisual diversity and associations withcrofting patterns normally foundmuch further north and west inScotland.

The open glen sides are visible tolocal people and visitors, from thesmall rural roads up BalquhidderGlen and settlements. They make apositive contribution to landscapecharacter and visual quality,differentiating the northern moreopen and southern forested glenslopes. The open glen sides revealthe diversity of a varied andcontrasting landscape, whichcontributes to scenic quality at thelocal detail scale and in the widerglen context. The open glen sideshave good quality views down ontothe strath areas, but the glen sidesare not greatly accessible due totheir topography and lack of manypaths. They overlook commercialplantations to the south, which donot make a positive contribution tothe scenery and detract from thewider scene. There is an attractiveroute above Balquhidder that affordsexcellent views up the glen. Theareas are generally unspoilt,although the adjacent forestry in theforested upland glens extends to themain glen floor, fragmenting theopen glen sides. The glen sides donot always have a distinct characterand may blend with the open uplandhills. Elsewhere relict landusepatterns of strip fields are of greatlandscape character and visualinterest, found only here, Loch Earnand in Glen Ogle in the Park andusually typical of areas much furthernorth and west in Scotland.

These open areas are under pressurefrom the expansion of commercialforests, the invasion of bracken andrhododendrons and overgrazing.

CulturalHeritage

LCT: OPEN GLEN SIDES

The open glen sides are a feature of the northern slopes of Braes of Balquhidder

HLA: Prehistoric to present moorland and rough grazing.


South facing open glen sides tendto hold visible red deer populationsin the winter months. They alsocontribute to the habitat used bythe range of birds such asptarmigan, red grouse, breedingwaders, skylark, buzzard, goldeneagle.

Of limited importance tobiodiversity but a visible wildlife presence.

Comparatively high deer numbersfor sporting objectives present apossible conflict with managementobjectives of neighbouring estates.

LCT: OPEN GLEN SIDES


Biodiversity

Rob Roy through the Braes of Balquhidder and St Angus in Kirkton Glen.Associations


• The open qualities should be protected as they contribute to the diversity of the landscape.

• Restructuring and enhancement of woodland and forestry could enhance the landscape and visual qualities of theglen. A more proactive approach may be needed to the south of the glen.

• Any proposed increase in woodland cover would need to be carefully designed to conserve and enhancearchaeological sites and their landscape settings.

• The interface between the open glen sides and adjacent woodlands could be improved by a softer transition ratherthan hard deer fenced edges.

• The open glen sides could also be managed to support heather moorland in place of the limited range of unpalatablegrasses.



LCT: WOODED UPLAND GLEN

Wooded upland glens occur in Glen Buckie and, to a lesser extent just to the north of Loch Voil. They aresemi-natural woodland typically low density trees becoming more scattered and structured in form withincreasing altitude.

HLA: A mix of 18th to 20th century, and later 20th century planting with patches of moorland and roughgrazing

Important component of the historiclandscape (where they areunaffected by plantationafforestation). The woodscontribute to the overall characterof the lochs and glen slopelandscapes.

These more natural woodlands aresignificant in a landscape dominatedby commercial forestry plantations.They contribute a more naturalcharacter and an element ofdiversity. In Glen Buckie they are adominant characteristic, butgenerally they are rather poorlyrepresented.

Not knownSense of place

CulturalHeritage

Biodiversity


Although much of the woodlandsdate back to the 18th century, someareas, have been planted morerecently. This is reflected in thepresence of several desertedfarmsteads, buildings dykes etc inthese areas which in the mid 19thcentury had lain in open fields.There is also some evidence ofironworking. Most of the woodlandsare listed in the ancient woodlandinventory and the Scottish NativeWoodland Inventory.

There is an important area of relictmedieval/post medieval settlementand agriculture in Glen Buckie.

Specialists, visitors and local people.Important for genealogical research.

Not known

Mainly broadleaf semi-naturalwoodland supporting a woodlandflora and fauna.


The biodiversity of the full range ofwoodland types is of mediumimportance.

Not known




• Opportunity for further native broadleaf woodland and open space in the restructuring of plantations and along thelower slopes of Balquhidder glen, with limited extension up burn sides and locally in the open upland glenlandscapes.

• There is some potential to 'rescue' archaeological sites from the forests where damage has been minimal and wherethe sites lend themselves to interpretation/access. Others may benefit from limited tree clearance and brackenspraying with open areas maintained in the woodlands. Care should be taken in any proposed woodland expansionschemes to ensure that features are protected.

• The biodiversity benefits could be expanded significantly, e.g. via restructuring of commercial plantations andexpansion of broadleaf woodland habitats and through appropriate management.

LCT: FARMED STRATH FLOOR

There are small areas of farm land along the glen floor.

HLA: Mix of 18th to 19th century fields and farming and prehistoric to present day moorland and roughgrazing.

Farmed strath floors are importantareas of diversity in the Breadalbanelandscape, providing strong visualcontrast to the enclosing uplandslopes. Traditionally managedfarmed lands, these areas arenotably managed with distinct fieldpatterns providing a humandimension to the landscape. Theyare a component of the rural settingof the settled loch shore. Winterflooding is a feature of the meadowsat the foot of Balquhidder Glen.

The strath floors have a distinctivecharacter due to their flattopography and contrast with thesurrounding uplands. Thislandscape type is generallyimportant as an element of diversityin the Park’s glen landscapes andspecifically contributes to the scenicand distinctive qualities of theBreadalbane glens. In Balquhidderthe extent of farmed strath floors issomewhat limited, with a greaterproportion of the glen floor takenup with water bodies. However,whilst still occupying a smallproportion of the landscape, thestraths are visually highly significant,and compositionally importantwithin views and in terms of allowingviews across and through the glens.The areas have good quality views ofthe surrounding hills and uplandareas and they are more accessiblefrom the small rural roads thataccess Balquhidder Glen thanelsewhere in Breadalbane. Thescenic contribution of river andmeadow landscapes can beexceptional, with traditional haymeadow management adding to thesummer scene and atmosphere andwinter flooding to the foot of theglen. Significantly this landscapetype, as where it occurs elsewhere inthe Park, helps to establish a farmedcountryside setting to the ruralvillages of a generally unspoilt andtraditional quality. Balquhidder Glenprobably represents one of the Park’sleast spoilt landscapes retaining asense of tranquillity and remotenessof time and place that underpins theglen’s spiritual quality and reputationas a Celtic ‘thin place’.

The farmed strath floor areas maycome under pressure for housingand tourist developments in thefuture. Changes or decline inagricultural practise could lead tothe decline of traditional features, such as field boundaries.


Sense of place

CulturalHeritage

Several deserted farmsteads withcultivation remains are identified asrelict medieval/post medievalsettlement and agriculture.

There are historic sites of interest inthe area including the 18th centuryMacGregor graveyard atImmiriabhach, Gallows Hill andpossible standing stone withhistorical associations.

Interest to specialists, locals and visitors.

Sites could be affected by futurewoodland planting.




LCT: FARMED STRATH FLOOR

River Teith SAC for lamprey andsalmon. The boundary features andrushy pastures in fields supportwildlife including waders.

The fish populations are of highimportance. The damp grassland andother farm land habitats and the birdand other wildlife they support areof more local value.

Rural stewardship schemes in parts of this LCT are retaining and restoring structural diversitypreviously endangered ordiminished by pressures for more intensive management.

Biodiversity

Rob Roy’s House and the Clan MacGregor generally.Associations


• Farmers should be encouraged to continue low intensity agricultural practices, including the traditional managementof hay meadows, which makes a particular contribution to the summer landscape.

• New woodland planting should be controlled and generally discouraged.

• Access to these landscapes could be improved with path network development from the villages and also linksalong the rivers and field boundaries.

• Potential for interpretation of pre-improvement agricultural system.

• Need to protect links between different elements of pre-improvement agriculture where these still survive.

• Potential for interpretation associated with a programme of repair for the graveyards.

• The biodiversity benefit could be enhanced through more wildlife friendly farming and measures to improve thehabitat value of the riparian corridors and woodlands.



Open water with some dispersedsettlement. Historic character oftraditional rural and estate buildingsenhance the rural character.

The settlements introduce a humandimension to Balquhidder Glen andthe loch landscapes. Occasionalloch shore settlement is typical ofthe Breadalbane landscape andoccurs elsewhere in the Park. Here itrelates to relict landuse patternsthat can still be read over the openglen sides to the north east. This isunusual in the Park found onlylocally at neighbouringLochearnhead and Glen Ogle,although a more typicalcharacteristic in the north and westof Scotland.

Potential impacts of inappropriatedevelopment. At peak times visitor numbers to Rob Roy’s grave can cause trafficcongestion which impacts on thesense of place qualities.

A single cup marked stone atGartnafuaran reaffirms the presenceof people in the glen around 4-5thousand years ago.

In Balquhidder the Old ParishChurch and graveyard are ofparticular historic interest. TheChurch is a Scheduled AncientMonument and listed. Thegraveyard contains Rob Roy's Grave.

In 1848 the Stronvar Estate waspurchased by David Carnegie, awealthy local landowner, whocarried out a number of villageimprovements. He rebuilt StronvarHouse and several farms in the areaand also built Balquhidder Church,School and library for the benefit ofhis employees. There is a relictdesigned landscape associated withStronvar House dating back to the18th/19th century. The historicbridges such as Kirkton Bridge andStronvar Bridge and small vernacularcottages contribute to the characterof the area.

The settled areas are valued by localpeople, visitors and specialists.

The stone at Gartnafuaran may beindicative of others as yetunrecorded in the area.

Important collection of earlyChristian/medieval graveslabsincluding Rob Roy's grave. Importantboth locally and nationally. Theremay be other equally importantsites of this type elsewhere in thePark e.g. at Luss.

David Carnegie’s improvementscontribute to the historic interestand character of the settled area. Anumber of the landmark and publicbuildings, including Stronvar House,were designed by the leadingVictorian architect David Bryce whowas one of the earliest proponentsof the Scots baronial style. Thesebuildings are of historic andarchitectural interest and contributeto the character of the area. Thesmall cottages clustered aroundCalair Burn are of local interest andcontribute to the rural character ofthe area.

This area contains the only relictdesigned landscape in this CharacterZone. It is still associated with themansion house for which it wascreated.

Some recent development haseroded the traditional builtcharacter of the area.

CulturalHeritage

Sense of Place

Many of the houses support batroosts, especially pipistrelle bats.Stronvar Marshes SSSI (part) falls inthe zone, displaying a transition ofvegetation types from open water,through reeds and wet woodlandsto dry ground.

The SSSI and bats are of mediumbiodiversity importance.

In this area, there is no evidence of alocal decline in bat numbers. TheSSSI is threatened by Rhododendronencroachment.

Biodiversity

LCT: SETTLED LOCH SHORE

The settled loch shore comprises part of the dispersed ribbon of houses extending from Kingshouse toAuchtubh and on to Balquhidder. The settled areas tend to be small groupings and clusters of development.There are small patches of 18th and 19th century rectilinear fields particularly on the lochsides.

HLA: Mosaic of prehistoric to present moorland and rough grazing, 18th and 19th century fields and farming,18th to 20th century woodland and forestry and 19th century to the present built up area




LCT: SETTLED LOCH SHORE (CONT)

BENEFITS

The area has rich historic and cultural associations. At around the 8th century St Angus brought Christianity toBalquhidder and St Angus’ stone is in the church. Rob Roy's Grave is at Balquhidder graveyard. Balquhidder hasbeen home to the MacLaren Clan since the 12th century. Creag an Tuirc, the Boar’s Rock, was the ancient rallyingplace of the clan.

The song 'Wild Mountain Thyme' was originally written by Robert Tannahill lamenting the clearance of Balquhidderin the 18th century.

Associations


• Prepare Design guidance/Village Design Statement for guiding design of new development

• Improved interpretation and visitor management in Balquhidder could enhance access to the cultural heritage.

• Retain key landscape features of Stronvar designed landscape.

• Building works could be carried out sympathetically to the needs of bats and their hosts.

• Scope exists for improving management of the SSSIs.




• Opportunities to improve viewpoints and visitor management, which can locally cause damage and erosion.

• Restructuring of commercial plantations to the south of the lochs.

• A survey of the potential crannogs would confirm its status and requirements for protection and management.

• The biodiversity benefit could be enhanced through riparian habitat enhancement and removal of artificial barriersto fish migration.

Sense of place

LCT: INLAND WATER AND LOCH ISLAND

Lochs Voil and Doine are natural water bodies. There are two artificial islands on Loch Voil

HLA: Natural water bodies have no historical period associated with them

BENEFITS CONTRIBUTION TO BENEFIT? EVALUATION OF IMPORTANCE TRENDS,PRESSURES & TARGETS



The inland lochs have a small scaleand intimate shoreline, with thesingle track road threading throughrocky outcrops with trees, andaround more open meadow areas.There are glimpsed views acrossopen water, framed by trees andlong dramatic vistas towards thehills. The lochs have a tranquilquality.

These inland lochs give aspectacular impression and have adistinctive identity. They are remotefrom main roads, which, along withtheir reasonably unspoilt qualitycreates a sense of tranquillity,further enhanced by the accessibleloch shore from the single trackroad. Balquhidder offers a uniquevisitor experience, of which the lochlandscapes are a key component.The lochs allow long dramatic vistasup through the glen and uplandlandscape of Balquhidder with goodaccessibility to the views, whichoften includes viewpoints along thefootpaths and tracks at the lochshores. The views across the lochsto the plantations are less pleasing.

Use of the loch shores for informalcamping can in some cases lead tofire damage, litter and erosion,having an adverse impact on thetranquillity and unspoilt qualities.Future pressures may includepressure for motorised recreationalactivity and development of touristfacilities.

There are several possible crannogsrecorded in the loch but these areunconfirmed.

If the presence of the crannogs wasconfirmed it would be of particularinterest to specialists.

No pressures at present.CulturalHeritage

Loch Voil and Loch Doine are partsof the River Teith Special Area ofConservation (SAC).

The biodiversity benefits associatedwith the SAC are salmon andlampreys. Within the lochs, theseare most important to specialists butsalmon angling is important to localpeople and visitors in the rivers thatalso comprise the SAC. Althoughforming part of a wider SACcomplex, these biodiversity benefitsmake an important contribution tothe biodiversity of the Park as awhole.

These species are suffering awidespread decline but locally sometrends are moving in a positivedirection, with decreases in coniferforestry in riparian corridors andimprovements in regulations relatingto land and water management

Biodiversity

Associations Alleged MacGregor stronghold on promontory on Loch Voil.

BRAES OF BALQUHIDDER

Documents

Transcript of BRAES OF BALQUHIDDER