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Description
| One of the more rural areas of North Lanarkshire, the Kilsyth Hills form an area of upland to the north of the council area. In terms of the supply of access in the area, a number of routes (mainly claimed rights of way) run up the southern escarpment of these hills, or run along the Garrell Burn, which drains to the south. |
 | Key Issues
Local communities felt that there is a good supply of routes already in the area. The area has an important role to play in providing longer, upland walks, and links across North Lanarkshire's border to East Dunbartonshire, Stirlingshire and Falkirk. The Kilsyth Hills provide an important potential access resource for residents of North Lanark and beyond. On the whole, land managers in this area have fewer concerns about access than in other more urban areas of North Lanarkshire. However, erosion from horses and mountain bikes has been highlighted as a potential problem.
Action Area Vision
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Continued provision of long distance upland routes in a way that does not have an adverse environmental impact. Consolidated and improved cross boundary links. Provision of access that stimulates visitor interest in the area in a sustainable way. |
Priorities
The following priorities have been identified in this area:
- Making more of the area's potential as a visitor resource for countryside recreation, attracting people into the area. This should be undertaken in a sustainable way, and should focus on provision of improved signage and interpretation for visitors. Such measures should aim to encourage visitors to the hills, to also visit Kilsyth (see Action Area B).
- Scope for improving links northwards to the Carron Forest area and reservoir should be discussed with Falkirk Council. This will not only form an important cross border link, but will also help to ensure that the recreation potential of the area is fully realised.
- Overall, action should focus on consolidating the existing routes in the area, as opposed to providing new ones. This should include attention to stiles (particularly on the walk from Kilsyth via Garrell Burn) and surfacing. North Lanarkshire Council should work with the local community to establish an effective way of ensuring that problems are regularly checked and reported.
- Given that many of these proposals, and existing routes, in the upland areas cross privately owned farmland, liaison with land managers and development of their support in providing access should be viewed as a particular priority within this action area. There may be scope to reduce erosion and other problems associated with mountain biking and horse riding in the area, through the identification and development of mutually acceptable routes.
Implementation
- The implementation process should focus on the need to develop partnerships, focusing on both the nearby local community of Kilsyth, and neighbouring local authorities.
- Kilsyth Community Council has been enthusiastic in contributing to the development of this strategy. They should be approached as a first point of contact with a view to setting up the Local Access Group for Action Areas A, B and C (see paragraph 4.7). This should also involve local land managers and user groups.
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