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Supplementary Guidance SG28

Landscape Character Assessments

Stirling Council Local Development Plan October 2014

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CONTENTS

1. Introduction 5

2. Background and reasons for the study 6

3. How the information is structured 9

4. Boundaries 12

5. Recommendations for further work as part of the LDP Action Programme 12 6. References and other information 13

Table 1: Local landscape character summary table 14

7. Local landscape character area descriptions 18 - Lowland landscapes 18 - Highland landscapes 180 Lowland landscapes Highland landscapes Ref pg Ref pg

L1 18 H1 180L2 24 H2 186L3 32 H3 192L4 38 H4 198L5 44 H5 202L6 50 H6 206L7 54 H7 212L8 58L9 64L10 70L11 76L12 82L13 88L14 94L15 100L16 104L17 108L18 114L19 120L20 126L21 132L22 138L23 142L24 148L25 154L26 160L27 166L28 172

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Supplementary Guidance SG28

1. Introduction

1.1 This supplementary guidance supports the Council’s Local Development Plan Policies in respect of maintaining and enhancing landscape character, distinctiveness and diversity.

1.2 ThelandscapesofasignificantproportionoftheStirlingCouncilAreaaresohighly valued that they are included within the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The Stirling LDP area excludes land within the national park but still includes outstanding landscapes and landscapes valued by local people as the setting for their daily lives and by visitors alike.

1.3 The LDP aims to facilitate positive change whilst maintaining distinctive character and ‘sense of place’ throughout the plan area - within designated and non-designatedlandscapesalike.ThisisreflectedinLDPpoliciesPP1andPP9 and is in line with Scottish Planning Policy1 and the European Landscape Convention2, which recognize that all landscapes require consideration and care.

1.4 This guidance aims to:

· Provide easily accessible baseline information on all of the landscapes within the plan area;

· Assist in detailed planning and landscape casework and in particular to facilitate the monitoring of landscape change and highlight issues to be considered;

· Recommend further work as part of the LDP Action Programme.

1 Scottish Planning Policy http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/03132605/0 2 European Landscape Convention - further information and a link can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.

uk/Topics/Environment/Countryside/Heritage/Convention

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2. Background and reasons for the study

“Different landscapes will have different capacity to accommodate new development, and the siting and design of development should be informed by local landscape character” Scottish Planning Policy (Para.127)

2.1 This study has been undertaken to bring together, reconcile and update several sets of existing published information analysing and describing landscape character within the plan area. The original studies and documents still have validity, but it is helpful to have the information drawn together in one place and a small number of gaps in the published sources made good.

Relationship to the Scottish Natural Heritage National Landscape Character Assessment:

2.2 Scottish Natural Heritage, in partnership with local authorities and others, undertook a national programme of landscape character assessment (LCA) between 1994 and 1998. This assessment, which covers the whole of mainland Scotlandandallofthemainislands,identifiedaround4,000differentunitsoflandscape character. These were grouped into 372 “landscape character types”. Visual evidence of landscape change was recorded and categorised according toapre-definedlistof165‘forcesforchange’.In1998,the29individuallandscape character assessments which made up the national programme were brought together into a national landscape character dataset.

2.3 Three LCA studies were undertaken within the plan area during this period, although that broadly covering the area which subsequently became the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park was not adopted. The two published reports are:

Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 1233 http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf

Stirling to Grangemouth Landscape Character Assessment, SNH review No. 1244 http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/124.pdf4

3 Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf

4 Tyldesley, D & Associates 1999, Stirling to Grangemouth Landscape Character Assessment, SNH review No. 124 http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/124.pdf

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2.4 A revised Landscape Character Assessment for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, SNH Commissioned Report N0. 0935,wasfinallypublished in 2005. However, its boundaries differed slightly from the earlier study, leaving several areas within the LDP plan area outwith any published/adopted LCA.

Other published sources of information

2.5 Following on from the national programme of landscape assessment Stirling Council and Scottish Natural Heritage commissioned David Tyldesley & Associates to undertake a more detailed landscape character and capacity study to help inform the Structure Plan, then in preparation. This Stirling Landscape Assessment6 built on the earlier national programme of LCAs, but looked more closely at the setting of a number of towns and villages in the landscape.

2.6 In 2007 Horner & Maclennan was commissioned by Stirling Council, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority and Scottish Natural heritage to carry out a landscape sensitivity and capacity study for wind energy development7 within the Stirling Council area. Part of this study explored the key characteristics of the published landscape character areas in relation to windfarms.Thisgeneratedanewseriesoflandscapecharactertypesreflectingsensitivity for windfarms, and a description and guidance were given for each type. However, it also made some interesting and important observations on the inter-relationship between different character types and the unique juxtaposition of highland and lowland landscapes arranged around the Forth Valley. This information is generally useful but particularly valuable when considering wind turbine or windfarm proposals.

5 Scottish Natural Heritage 2005, Landscape Assessment for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, SNH Commissioned Report N0. 093, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/140.pdf)

6 Tyldesley, D & Associates 1999, Stirling Landscape Character Assessment & Landscape Capacity Study. Report to Stirling Council and Scottish Natural Heritage.

7 Horner & Maclennan 2007, Stirling landscape sensitivity and capacity study for wind energy development. Report to Stirling Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority. Link available at http://www.stirling.gov.uk/services/housing/planning-and-building-standards/local-and-statutory-development-plans/supplementary-planning-guidance/wind-farms

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2.7 Insummary,althoughgoodinformationisavailabletherearedifficultiesinusingthe existing datasets:

• No one document covers all of the plan area and some of the digital information available from SNH does not readily relate to the published reports.

• There are several small areas on the boundary with the national park that are not covered by any published assessment.

• Some forces for change have declined, whilst others have become much more important. In particular wind energy developments have had a marked effect of landscape character in some areas.

2.8 These issues have tended to deter use of the existing information as a planning tool and were the reason for compiling the combined and updated local landscape character assessments included below. It is important to note that these assessments:

· Draw heavily on the earlier published reports and full acknowledgement is given to the work and insight of their authors;

· Supplement, rather than replace the earlier studies. (Indeed, some important background information included in the earlier works is not available here and still has a role; for example, chapters 1 and 2 of the Central Region LCA8, which detailregionalphysicalfeatures/processesandculturalinfluences/perceptionsrespectively.)


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3. How the information is structured

Setting the context

3.1 The landscape types and character areas are grouped into two overall categoriesofLowlandandHighlandlandscapes,reflectingthedominantphysicaldivision of the region by the Highland Boundary Fault. Within these broad divisions:

· Local landscape character areas represent the most detailed level of classificationandconstitutediscretemapunits

· Landscape types and sub-types represent generic groupings of the local landscape character areas according to characteristics of landform and land use held in common.

3.2 The national context for the revised hierarchy of landscape types and character areas are summarized on Table 1.

3.3 The Lowlands have been divided into three landscape types. The lowland river valleys form a major group consisting of 11 separate character areas, ranging in naturefromthebroadagriculturalflatlandsofthecarse,throughareasofrollingvalley farmland to the forested river basin of the Carron Valley. The transitional landscapes, as their name suggests, are a group of landscapes transitional between the valleys and hills in terms of landform and land use. Hill fringes are differentiated from their parent hill group by clear variations in slope angle, landform and land cover type. Valley fringes are generally areas of subdued relief, which link together adjoining valleys, or valleys and adjoining high ground. The hills rise to over 700m and include the major Devonian and Carboniferous volcanic hill groups, which form distinctive escarpments overlooking the Stirling Plain,andthelessunifiedhillgroundoftheUamhBheaggroup,interruptedbyrocks of the Highland Border Complex.

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3.4 Within the Highlands, three separate landscape types are recognized. The mountains include the highest ground, frequently sculpted by glacial action intowell-definedcorriesandshapelysummits.Thevalleyfeatureshavebeencategorized into two types: Highland glens,whichincludethedeepU-shapedvalley of Glen Lochay and the side of Glen Dochart south of Killin; together with loch basins, which include the valleys containing Lochs Tay and Earn.

Local landscape character area descriptions

3.5 Detailed descriptions are given for each of the varying character units within the landscapeofthestudyarea.Thesearelargelybasedontheareasidentifiedin the Central Region LCA9 and Stirling to Grangemouth LCA10, but in a small number of cases areas have been subdivided.

3.6 Information on each area is structured somewhat differently from the previous LCAs, with a move away from positive and negative judgements on characteristics but more information is provided on particular sensitivities to changes in land use or development. Information broadly falls into three parts as follows: -

Context: a note of the landscape type/sub-type within which the area lies; name of the local landscape character area; a map and brief overview; a note on how the area relates to or differs from the published LCA units.

Description: of landscape character and notes on any relevant designations, particularly when an area falls partially or entirely within a national or local landscape designation.

Managing landscape change: This section outlines recent and anticipated future forces for change experienced within the landscape, followed by guidance on particular sensitivities within the area and on planting and biodiversity.


10 Tyldesley, D & Associates 1999, Stirling to Grangemouth Landscape Character Assessment, SNH review No. 124 http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/124.pdf

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Guidance

3.7 The context, description and managing landscape change notes taken together are intended as a tool to help inform proposals for land use change or development and the assessment of individual planning applications.

3.8 With regard to ‘sensitivities’ it is important to note that the lists are not exhaustive and only key issues are highlighted. All landscapes are potentially at risk from inappropriately sited or scaled development and from the direct and indirect effects of cumulative change and these issues should be taken into account when assessing all land use change or development proposals. Although now published some years ago, the Scottish Natural Heritage document Scotland’s Future Landscapes11 still provides a good summary of the underlying problems within the wider Scottish and Stirling landscapes. It is useful to bear these in mind as they all have the potential to erode distinctive landscape character:

- Loss of diversity - Loss of distinctiveness - Poor standards of design - Decline of natural features - Threats to cultural legacy - Attrition to remote countryside - Limited landscape management - Erosion of rural character in lowland

areas

3.9 In preparing the landscape character descriptions and guidance, wind energy issues came up repeatedly. Although these are referred to where they are particularly relevant or a landscape is especially sensitive, this study cannot and does not replace the detailed assessments and guidance included in the Stirling landscape sensitivity and capacity study for wind energy development12.

11 Scottish Natural Heritage 2003, Scotland’s Future Landscapes? – Encouraging a Wider Debate http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/strategy/advisingothers/LandDiscPaper.pdf

12 Horner & Maclennan 2007, Stirling landscape sensitivity and capacity study for wind energy development. Report to Stirling Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park

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3.10 The guidelines for planting and biodiversity currently focus on woodland because trees and woodlands were more often mentioned than other habitats in the national LCAs. However, there is potential to improve and expand this section. Suggestions are included in the recommendations for further work as part of the LDP Action Programme below.

4. Boundaries

4.1 Boundaries to the local landscape character areas were plotted at 1:50,000 in the Lowlands and 1:100,000 in the Highlands. Some boundaries are obvious inthefield,forexampletheboundarybetweenthecarseandadjacentrollingfarmland, but elsewhere the change between the characteristics of one area and another takes place over a broader area or is more subtle. Consequently the mapped boundaries are formed by a variety of features, e.g. contour lines, watersheds, burns, roads, woodland boundaries etc. as most appropriate and pragmatic.

4.2 These issues should be kept in mind when accessing digital map information, when it is possible to zoom in to a much larger scale than a line was actually plotted; and when a location of interest is on or close to a boundary it is good practice to review the descriptions for the two (or more) character areas concerned.

5. Recommendations for further work as part of the LDP action programme

5.1 These fall into three main categories:

• Ongoing work to monitor the effectiveness of the existing guidance on decision making and identify developments or policy changes which may trigger changes to character descriptions and/or require further guidance. (Examples could include: approvals for additional windfarms; cumulative effects of multiple single turbinedevelopments;majorwoodlandexpansionprojectsorfloodpreventionschemesandsignificantgreennetworkprojectsetc.)

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• Additional work to improve or make the existing guidance more relevant and helpful.Onespecificareawheretheguidancecouldbeimprovedisinrespectof planting and biodiversity, for example: to take greater account of the Local BiodiversityActionPlanobjectivesandpriorities;tobetterreflectemerginginformation on valuable networks of functionally connected habitat and, when it is progressed, to tie in with the Forest and Woodland Strategy.

• And last, but not least, to engage with communities, developers, landowners, agencies and others to secure their support for these principles and help with maintaining high quality distinct and diverse landscapes now and into the future.

6. References & further information

1. Scottish Planning Policy http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/03132605/0

2. European Landscape Convention - further information and a link can be found at http://

www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Countryside/Heritage/Convention

3. Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH

Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf

4. Tyldesley, D & Associates 1999, Stirling to Grangemouth Landscape Character

Assessment, SNH review No. 124 http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/124.pdf

5. Scottish Natural Heritage 2005, Landscape Assessment for Loch Lomond & The

Trossachs National Park, SNH Commissioned Report N0. 093, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/

publications/review/140.pdf)

6. Tyldesley, D & Associates 1999, Stirling Landscape Character Assessment & Landscape

Capacity Study. Report to Stirling Council and Scottish Natural Heritage.

7. Horner & Maclennan 2007, Stirling landscape sensitivity and capacity study for wind

energy development. Report to Stirling Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and Loch

Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority. Link available at http://www.stirling.gov.

uk/services/housing/planning-and-building-standards/local-and-statutory-development-

plans/supplementary-planning-guidance/wind-farms

8. Scottish Natural Heritage 2003, Scotland’s Future Landscapes? – Encouraging a Wider

Debate http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/strategy/advisingothers/LandDiscPaper.pdf

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Table 1: Local landscape character summary tableLOWLAND LANDSCAPES: NATIONAL CONTEXT

National Context Regional Character Area Landscape Character Types

THE MIDLAND VALLEY OF SCOTLAND

Midland Valley Lowland Landscapes

Lowland River Valleys

Transitional Landscapes

VolcanicUplandsoftheMidland Valley

Lowland Hills

LOCAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTER - LOWLAND

Type Sub-type Code Local landscape character area

LOWLAND RIVER VALLEYS

Flatvalleyfloor L1 Carse East of Stirling

L2 Carse West of Stirling

L3 Flanders Moss West

Rolling valley farmland

L4 Allan Water

L5 Teith Valley

L6 Dykehead

L7 Garden/Gartinstarry

L8 Middle Endrick Water

L9 Lower Endrick Water

L10 Strath Blane

Forested river basin

L11 Carron Valley

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LOCAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTER - LOWLAND contd


TRANSITIONAL LANDSCAPES

Farmed valley or hill fringe

L12 West Ochil Hill Fringe

L13 Forth/Teith/Allan Valley Fringe

L14 Forth/Teith Valley Fringe

L15 Forth/Kippen Muir Valley Fringe

L16 Gargunnock Hill Fringe

L17 East Touch Hill Fringe

L18 Sauchenford/Castleton Valley Fringe

Moorland hill fringe L19 Sheriff Muir

L20 Braes of Doune

L21 Bat a’ Charchel

L22 Cameron Muir & Stockie Muir

L23 Mugdock

Moorland plateau L24 Kippen Muir

LOWLAND HILLS L25 Ochil Hills

L26 UahmBheag

L27 Campsie Fells

L28 Fintry, Gargunnock and Touch Hills

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HIGHLAND LANDSCAPES: NATIONAL CONTEXT

National Context Regional Character Area Landscape Character Types

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

High, Rolling Mountains of the Central Highlands

Mountain

Glens & Lochs of the Cen-tral Highlands

Highland Glen

Loch Basin

LOCAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTER - HIGHLAND


MOUNTAIN H1 Glen Lochay Mountain Group

H2 Creag Gharbh Mountain Group

HIGHLAND GLEN Farmed and wooded glen

H3 Glen Lochay

Large scale forested glen side

H4 Auchmore

LOCH BASIN Farmed and wooded loch side

H5 West Loch Tay

H6 South-West Loch Tay

H7 Lower Glen Beich

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Wide,openandflatlandscapestronglycontainedbythedramaticallysharpedgeoftheOchil Hills escarpment and Abbey Craig in the north but more loosely by the farmed valley and hill fringes and more distant hill edges to the south. The acute meanders of theRiverForthwindacrossthefloodplainfromStirlingtotheestuaryandassociatedfeatures include tributaries, tidal banks and river islands. Although still predominantly an agricultural landscape, with large-scale fields and few hedgerows or hedgerowtrees, it also contains modern settlement, transport corridors and many large-scale built features, such as industrial units and pylons. Despite these modern and often intrusive elements the eastern carselands still retain a strong sense of place.

Relationship to SNH National Landscape Character Assessment

LandscapeCharacterUnitD:CARSEOFFORTH,EASTSTRILINGLowlandRiverValley (Tyldesley, D & Associates 1999, Stirling to Grangemouth Landscape Charac-ter Assessment, SNH review No. 124 http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/124.pdf).

L1 Carse East of Stirling Flat Valley Floor

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LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

The flat valley floor east of Stirling extends from the dramatic Ochil escarpmentand Abbey Craig in the north to the edge of the raised beach that forms the roll-ing Sauchenford/Castleton Valley Fringe Landscape (L18) in the south. Away from this ‘core’ area a pocket of carse farmland also extends to the south-east of Cowie/Castleton. Located further from Stirling this small area has more in common with the adjacent Falkirk plan area carse landscapes

Although the land is predominantly still in agricultural use this is a very open land-scape in which buildings and other man-made features are conspicuous and cumula-tively these give an industrial or urban character to some areas, particularly south of the A907/river. Localised areas of derelict and unused land and dilapidated buildings also occur.

Farming is largely arable with some permanent, improved pasture on areas of poorer soil.Largetoverylarge-scalefieldswithfewhedgesorhedgerowtrees.Occasionalshelterbelts and policies together with riparian trees/woodland. A small area of rem-nantmosssouthofFallin(WesterMoss)isdesignatedasaSiteofSpecialScientificInterest. The whole area is also important for water birds, with a small area of river and bank near to Throsk included in a Special Protection Area. Cultural heritage inter-est includes Cambuskenneth Abbey and part of the site of the Battle of Bannockburn.

The Larbert/Stirling and Stirling/Alloa railway lines, together with several busy roads servinglocalcommunitiesandcarryingthroughtraffic,runadjacenttoandthroughthe landscape. Signage, advertising and clutter in transport corridors are detractors in some areas.

Views fromwithin this flat and open landscape are generally extensive, althoughshelterbelts and riparian and other woodland sometimes contain low level views. Views from the M9, A91, A905, A907, the railway lines and a network of core and countryside footpaths give a prospect across the landscape as well as an apprecia-tion of its role in the setting of key natural and man-made features around Stirling. Key external views are generally from higher ground and for the ‘core’ area include the key public viewpoints of the Castle/Esplanade, Wallace Monument and Dumyat as well as extensive residential areas.

L1 Carse East of Stirling

Flat Valley Floor

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Settlement Pattern:

The long tradition of agricultural land use has left a legacy of scattered traditional farmsteads and some larger estate houses, with associated parkland and policies, e.g. Gogar, Powis House and Polmaise (demolished).

Historically, the carselands were not the location of villages, which were concentrated on the edges of the floodplain, e.g. Bannockburn, Blairlogie andCowie. However,during 20th century the colliery village of Fallin, grew to become a sizeable settlement straddling the A905. Its proximity to Stirling has attracted more recent housing devel-opment also. The hamlet of Throsk, just to the east of Fallin, lies at the entrance to the former naval depot at Bandeath, now an industrial area with areas of derelict land and remnant semi-natural habitats. In addition the small settlement of Cambuskenneth lies in a loop of the River Forth adjacent to Stirling, to which it is linked with a pedestrian footbridge. Summary:

• A productive, large-scale agricultural landscape with a strong horizontal emphasis, in marked contrast to surrounding hills, especially to the north. Open, well-organized and well-tended. Historic interest as a relatively modern landscape, withdistinctivegeometricpatternofditches,roadandfieldboundaries.

• The meandering river and its associated features are a marked presence due east of Stirling.

• Traditional pattern and scale of farmsteads and scattered estate houses overlain in places by concentrations of modern development originally associated with mining or the naval depot. The landscape now accommodates a range of built structures and infrastructure - the siting and design of which has rarely given consideration to blending with or enhancing the carseland character and features. Cumulatively these features also result in localized areas of urban and industrial character, especially close to the river and around Fallin

• Notwithstanding these urban and sometimes discordant elements, the eastern carselands still retain a strong sense of place.

• Natural and cultural heritage interests add further dimensions to the landscape.• The ‘core’ eastern carse area has a key role in the landscape setting of Stirling

and Stirling Castle, both for inward and outward views. Also for the setting and appreciation of the Wallace Monument on Abbey Craig and the dramatic southern face of western Ochil Hills and Dumyat.


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MANAGING LANDSCAPE CHANGE

Recent and anticipated future forces for change:

• Large commercial and industrial developments exploiting accessible location• Several lines of pylons already cross this landscape. Proposed Beauly to Denny

power line will introduce higher pylon towers on the carse north of the river and an entirely new line south of Fallin. (Existing lower line to be removed.)

• Expansion/upgrading of roads network/infrastructure• Expansion of housing at Fallin and Throsk into surrounding agricultural area.• New housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to

multiple-unit residential use.• Loss of tree belts and hedgerows through lack of management and/or to enlarge

fields.• Area of interest for all scales of wind turbines.• Potential area of interest for short rotation coppice (energy crop) projects - level of

interest is likely to relate to future crop prices and/or subsidy levels.• Potential for change associated with flood management and prevention -

development of integrated catchment management plans and restoration of natural processes in rivers and wetlands.


Flat Valley Floor

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Particular sensitivities within the Carse East of Stirling Landscape:

This landscape has a number of sensitivities related to its location and/or the effects of previous poorly sited or designed development which are well described and expand-ed upon in Tyldesley D & Associates, 1999, Stirling Landscape Character Assessment for SNH & Stirling Council:

• High sensitivity to changes in landscape character due to role and importance of the open landscape in the setting of key natural and cultural heritage features: Stirling, the Castle, the Wallace Monument, Abbey Craig, Cambuskenneth Abbey, the Bannockburn Battlefield, the River Forth and itsriparian features and the juxtaposition of the carselands with the Ochil Hills. (Sensitivities are less acute in this respect in the most southerly area of carse between North Doll and Rosehill.)

• Sensitivities are heightened south of the river around Fallin and Throsk. “Sensitivity to change in landscape character is not only about high quality, diverse, ancient and semi-natural landscapes. It is also about whether the landscape is in need of restoration and reversal of damaging trends. In this respect, few landscapes in Stirling are more vulnerable the change than the Fallin-Throsk landscape unit.” Inappropriate large-scale (or cumulative) development will potentially exacerbate existing problems - emphasis should be on mitigation, land reclamation and landscape restoration. Avoid introducing new mineral workings, waste disposal facilities etc in open areas where carseland character is intact. Locate in areas already affected by development and utilise restoration and after-care to restore landscape character of the carselands.

• Cumulative effects of smaller developments are of as much concern as individual large-scale developments in terms of eroding the distinct identity and quality of the landscape.


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Guidelines for planting and biodiversity:

• Significant potential for area to make positive contribution to enhancement/expansion of the wider Stirling Green Network.

• Safeguard prime nature conservation value of Wester Moss Site of Special ScientificInterest.

• Take advantage of opportunities for a limited increase in tree cover: to reinforce tree belts, hedgerows and drainage ditch lines and emphasize farm building groups; introduce and/or replace more roadside trees and in hedgerows and accentuate line of River Forth by sensitive bank side planting; ensure appropriate tree planting is provided for new built development.

• However, ensure a balance between open ground and increased woodland cover and avoid blocking key outward views.

• Emphasis on planting of native/naturalized trees and shrubs adapted to heavy clay soils.


Flat Valley Floor

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L2 Carse West of Stirling Flat Valley Floor

Thebroad,flatvalleyflooroftheRiverForth,knownasthe‘CarseofForth’or‘Carseof Stirling’, is in marked contrast to rising ground to the north and south and the volcanic crags of Stirling Castle, Craigforth and Abbey Craig rising abruptly from the plainintheeast.Thebreadthofthevalleyfloor,relativepaucityoftreecoverandpanoramic views from within and across the carse, create a strong impression of an open,flatlandscapedespitethepresenceoftheenclosinghills.ThischaracterareaterminatesinthewestnearParksofGarden,wherethevalleyfloornarrowsbetweendeposits of glacial moraine.

Relationship to SNH National Landscape Character Assessment

Includes Character Area 21: CARSE OF FORTH River Valley (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf) together with land to west of the B822 not included in any published national assessment.

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L2Carse West of Stirling

Flat Valley Floor

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

Thelandusepatternoverlyingtheflatlandformislargelyman-madeandofrelativelyrecent origin - created as the result of planned drainage and extensive peat clearance in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

Themeanderingriverisfedbyanumberofvisuallyinsignificanttributaries,manyofwhichhavebeenstraightenedintoditchesalongfieldedges.Forashortdistancenorth-west of Stirling, the valley is shared with the River Teith. The fertile valley soilssupportanetworkoflargeagriculturalfields,mostlyarable,definedbystraightditches, post and wire fencing, clipped hawthorn hedging or no boundaries at all, accentuating the open character of the landscape. The chequerboard effect of crops,ditchesandfences,combinedwiththestrikinglyflatterrain,lendstheareaanappearance that is sometimes reminiscent of fenland landscapes. The open farmland is important for over wintering geese.

The rough texture and darker colours of the remnant peat bogs, southwest of Thornhill,contrastwiththesurroundingagriculturalfields,butmaintainandhighlightthe horizontal emphasis of the landscape. (East) Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve is the largest remaining intact raised bog in Britain, with international importance for nature conservation. Several smaller areas of localized moss close by arealsoofimportanceanddesignatedasSitesofSpecialScientificInterest.

Woodlandcoverinthefarmedareasislargelyconfinedtodispersedcopsesandshelterbelts, with localized areas of estate and policy woodlands and riparian willows/alders. Other tree cover, in the form of hedgerow and roadside trees, is sporadic - almost totally absent in some areas and a feature in others. Scattered scrubby trees on the National Nature Reserve are gradually being removed, which will further accentuate the horizontality of the landscape.

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The busy A84 (from Blair Drummond) and A811 run along the northern and southern perimetersofthevalleyfloorrespectivelywithlongstraightstretches.Quieterminorroads,alsooftenstraight,runacrossthevalleyfloor.ClosetothelineoftheA811,faintremains of a disused railway line are evident. At its eastern end the M9 and associated infrastructure now interrupts the sweep of the carse towards Stirling and Bridge of Allan, as does the railway line between Stirling and Bridge of Allan.

Viewsfromwithinthisopen,flatlandscapearegenerallyextensivewithdistantvistasto the surrounding hills and the landmark features of Abbey Craig, the Castle rock and Craigforth - although local foreground screening by buildings and trees can intermittently limit views. The carse itself plays an important role in views from adjacent higher ground and from Stirling, including the key viewpoints of the Castle and Wallace Monument.TherearefineviewsacrossFlandersMossfromtheelevatedA873westof Thornhill.

Settlement Pattern:

West of the M9 villages are absent from the carse, being restricted to the slopes above thevalleyfloor.Thereisnosettlementontheremnantbogareas,butelsewherethereare dispersed traditional farm steadings, and small houses, built of stone or white-washed. More modern houses are occasionally found, generally modest in scale. Individual farms and houses are located along minor public roads or at the end of tracks.Buildingsareoftenpositionedontheedgesoffieldsandassociatedwithsmallgroups of trees. Farms often consist of a tight complex of residential and barn buildings. Roofs of buildings are generally dark (slate), although outbuildings are sometimes covered by sheet materials or red pantiles. Some farm steadings have been converted to residential use - not always sympathetically. The density of settlement varies, for example buildings are relatively frequent in the Blairdrummond Moss area, but more widely spaced further west.

There are pockets of locally distinctive/historic settlement pattern, such as estate cottages and farms linked to mansion houses.


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In contrast, east of the M9 several settlement areas have extended onto the carse, in particular Lower Bridge of Allan and the Stirling suburbs of Homesteads, Raploch, Cornton, and Causewayhead. Further residential and commercial development is proposed for the Kildean Loop.

Summary:

• A productive, large-scale agricultural landscape with a strong horizontal emphasis. Open, well organized and well tended.

• Historic interest as a created (reclaimed) landscape, together with resultant distinctivegeometricpatternofditches,roadandfieldboundaries.

• The presence of internationally important remnant raised bogs adds another dimension, especially west of the B8075.

• Holds a central position in the composition of dramatic views from within and outwith the landscape - including nationally important viewpoints such as Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument and many locally enjoyed points and routes.

• Dispersed settlement pattern, predominantly of traditional building types and groupings over most of the area.

• However, urban expansion and infrastructure have extended onto the carse near to Stirling, particularly east of the M9 but more recently west of the M9 and adjacent to the A84 also.


Flat Valley Floor

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• Expansion of housing onto former carse farmland in West Cornton.• Redevelopment of Kildean Loop.• Built development, including large commercial and tourism related developments

west of M9. Planning Permission in Principle granted for further commercial and business development in Craigforth area.

• Larger-scale building developments on farms. Although associated with farm/ruralbusinessessomeofthesedevelopmentsdiffersignificantlyfromtraditionalforms in scale and design and can appear as discordant elements.

• New housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to multiple-unit residential use.

• Loss of tree belts and hedgerows through lack of management and/or to enlarge fields.

• Removal of scrub and some plantation woodlands to reinstate important raised bog habitats.

• Area of interest for small to medium-large scale wind turbines.• Potential area of interest for short rotation coppice (energy crop) projects - level of




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Particular sensitivities within the Carse West of Stirling Landscape:

• Role and importance of the open landscape in the setting of key natural and cultural heritage features. Including: Stirling Castle; the King’s Knot; the Abbey Craig and Wallace Monument; Craigforth; Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve; the Rivers Teith and Forth and their riparian features. (For further information and guidance see Tyldesley, D & Associates 1999, ‘Stirling Landscape Character Assessment & Landscape Capacity Study’.)

• Cumulative effects of development, which can erode the distinct identity and quality of the landscape. Sensitivities are heightened: east of the M9; along the A84 corridor from Blairdrummond to Kildean and, to a lesser extent, along the A811 corridor from the Kippen Roundabout to the King’s Knot. These areas have already experienced larger scale or cumulative development and changes in land use (with further development proposed near Craigforth and at Kildean) and the risk of attrition of character is increased.

• Relatively large viewing population from key public viewpoints (parts of the Castle and Old Town, King’s Knot, Wallace Monument, Flanders Moss NationalNatureReserveviewingplatform);settlements(UpperBridgeofAllan,Cambusbarron, Thornhill and Kippen); and routes (M9, A811, A 84 and A873). Panoramic views within and across the landscape are particularly important.

• Strong horizontal emphasis - making the landscape particularly sensitive to the introduction of tall structures, such as chimneys, masts or wind turbines


Flat Valley Floor

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Guidelines for planting and biodiversity


• Safeguard prime nature conservation value of Flanders Moss National Nature ReserveandassociatedraisedbogSitesofSpecialScientificInterest.

• Away from designated areas of moss restoration the removal of existing trees and hedgerows as a result of development should be avoided.

• Take advantage of opportunities for a limited increase in tree cover: to reinforce tree belts, hedgerows and drainage ditch lines and emphasize farm building groups; introduce and/or replace more roadside trees and in hedgerows and accentuate line of River Forth by sensitive bank side planting; ensure appropriate tree planting is provided for new built development.


• Emphasis on planting of native/naturalized trees and shrubs adapted to heavy clay soils.


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Flat Valley Floor

31

L3Flanders Moss WestFlat Valley Floor

The Carse of Stirling narrows between deposits of glacial moraine near the Parks of Garden,buttheflatvalleyflooropensoutagaintothewestbeforeterminatingintherising ground of Loch Ard Forest. Farmland on the eastern and southern margins of this area share characteristics with the carse further east, but elsewhere the poorer soils are unable to support such rich agriculture, commercial conifer woodland has a strong presence and there is a greater feeling of isolation.

Relationship to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) NationalLandscape Character Assessment

This area is not included in any published national landscape character assessment – it falls outwith the Central Region Assessment and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Landscape Assessment.

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L3Flanders Moss West

Flat Valley Floor

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

Theflatorgentlyrollingvalleyfloorofthewesternmostcarseiscontainedbyrisingground to the north, west and south. There is also a degree of containment to the east, created by the strongly rolling land north and south of Cardross Bridge and Parks of Garden. The meandering River Forth runs through the middle of the landscape,butitanditstributariesarevisuallyinsignificant.Thelanduseoverlyingtheflatlandformisofrelativelyrecentorigin-createdastheresultofplanneddrainage and peat clearance, together with large-scale planting of conifer forest on West Flanders Moss during the twentieth century.

Except on the eastern and southern fringes the valley soils are generally less fertile than further east, becoming wetter and even more limited in potential around WestFlandersMoss.Theysupportanetworkoflargeagriculturalfields,definedby straight ditches and post and wire fencing occasionally supplemented with low, clipped hedgerows and accentuating the open character of the landscape. The rough texture of the wetter grazing land and dark colour of the conifers contrasts with the agriculturalfieldsontheeasternandsouthernfringesofthelandscape.

Remnant raised bog lies beneath the 20th century plantation woodlands of West Flanders, Gartrenich and Ofference Mosses and there is a major restoration project underway as the conifers are harvested. This work will, in time create a more open but visually and ecologically diverse landscape. Tree cover in the farmed areas islargelyconfinedtodispersedcopsesandshelterbeltsorfringingwatercourses,although there are localized areas with hedgerow and roadside trees.

33


The A81 trunk road, with long straight stretches, cuts across the eastern end of the area, with a few minor roads and tracks serving farms around the periphery. The routes of two disused railway lines are designated as core footpaths and allow access along the southern edge of the area and to West Flanders Moss itself. These routes (outwith theplantation)providewideviewsofthevalleyfloorandsurroundinghills.Thewesterncarse features strongly in elevated views from adjacent high ground, for example from the Gartmore area and Fir Hill.

Settlement Pattern:

Settlementisconfinedtotheedgesofthelandscape,particularlyintheeast,withnofarms or dwellings on the remnant bog areas. The pattern is generally one of dispersed traditional farm steadings and occasional houses accessed via tracks off the public roads, although the Pendicles of Collymoon forms a pocket of locally distinctive/historic settlement pattern. There is a well-established holiday park at Fir Hill on the north-west edge of the landscape and elevated above the general level of the carse.

Summary

• A relatively large-scale farmed and forested landscape with a horizontal emphasis. Open and well-organized, but with areas of more marginal land in addition to well-tendedfields.

• At the far western end of the Forth Valley and away from major centres of population this area has a greater sense of remoteness than the rest of the carse.

• The presence of remnant raised bogs adds another dimension, which will become more important as the conifer woodland is largely removed.

• Dispersed settlement pattern, predominantly of traditional building types and groupings around the periphery of the area, particularly to the east.

• Holds an important position in the composition of views from within and outwith the landscape.

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Flat Valley Floor



• Removal of plantation woodlands and control of run-off to reinstate raised bog and associated semi-natural habitats.

• Loss of tree belts and hedgerows through lack of management and/or to enlarge fields.

• Already an area with some provision for recreation and tourism, with potential pressure for further development because of proximity to the national park.


• Some potential for new native woodland away from mosses, on poorer agricultural soils.

• Potential area of interest for small to medium scale wind turbines.• Potential area of interest for short rotation coppice (energy crop) projects - level of



Particular sensitivities within the Flanders Moss West Landscape:

• This is a landscape undergoing change, with removal of an extensive area of commercial woodland and restoration of raised bog and associated habitats, which will increase openness, ‘naturalness’ and diversity of texture and colour.

• Relatively large viewing population from surrounding higher ground and public roads, despite degree of isolation.

• Location adjacent to and gateway for the Loch Lomond & Trossach National Park.

• Horizontal emphasis makes the landscape particularly sensitive to tall structures, such as pylons, masts and wind turbines.

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• Safeguard prime nature conservation value of Collymoon Moss and Offerance MossrelictraisedbogsandSitesofSpecialScientificInterest.

• Away from designated areas of moss restoration the removal of existing trees and hedgerows as a result of development should be avoided.

• Take advantage of opportunities for a limited increase in tree cover: to reinforce tree belts, hedgerows and drainage ditch lines and emphasize farm building groups; introduce and/or replace more roadside trees and in hedgerows.



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Flat Valley Floor

37

L4Allan WaterRolling Valley Farmland

AsitenterstheStirlingCouncilareathebroad,flatvalleyfloorofStrathAllanbecomesnarrower and more contained; eventually cutting through high, tightly enclosing slopes within a narrow cleft, as the Lower Braes of Doune and southern end of the Ochil Hills close in on either side. However, the valley of the Allan Water as a whole, comprising boththefloor,adjacentrollinglandandlowerflanksoftheadjacentuplandareas,isa relatively large-scale landscape of farmland and woods and an important transport corridor.


This area broadly conforms to Character Area 22: ALLAN WATER River Valley (Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, 1999, http://www.snh.

org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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L4Allan Water

Rolling Valley Farmland

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

The broad strath, which is so marked a feature north of the Council boundary, becomes narrower and more constrained as the Allan Water nears Kinbuck, with the river eventually becoming confined in steep banks as it approaches and cutsthrough Dunblane. Steep-sided knolls and ridges of glacial moraine are characteristic acrosspartsof thelowervalleysidesandfloor,andformlocallydistinctivefeaturesnearAshfieldandKinbuck.Atseveralsitesalongtherivertheglacialdepositshavebeen worked for sand and gravel extraction. The tiered and gently shelving slopes of Sheriffmuirdefinetheeastsideofthevalley.Tothewest,thehummockyslopesoftheLower Braes of Doune encroach even more closely.

Thefertilevalleyfloorandsidesareedgedbysmallandmediumsizedfieldsofarableand pasture, which become larger and intermingled with rougher grazing and coniferous plantations where the upper valley slopes merge with Sheriffmuir and Lower Braes of Doune. Small woods, shelterbelts and plantations are key features of the middle slopes of the valley, together with some policy and parkland planting associated with a few small estates. Hedges of beech and hawthorn and well-kept stone walls are also associatedwith the estate landscapes; elsewhere field boundaries are largelydefinedbypost-and-wirefencing,addingtotheopencharacterofthelandscape,withoccasional (often gappy) hawthorn hedging and, on upper slopes, stone dykes. Views are often long and open, although sometimes locally confined,wherewoodland orhummocky landforms restrict visibility.

The valley is a strategic route corridor for the A9 and railway line and also contains local roads linking Dunblane and Kinbuck either side of the river. Towards the southern end of the area these transport routes converge with major and minor roads to form a confusing network through and around the town of Dunblane. There is good provision of recreational routesonpathsand/orminor roadsalong thevalleyfloorand lowerslopes.

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Settlement Pattern

Most of the historic settlement of Dunblane lies at the southern end of this landscape character area. The town has experienced successive phases of development, notably during the 19th C and again during the second half of the 20th C, and residential areas have spread up the valley sides to the east and west of the Allan Water. The Victorian millvillageandconservationareaofAshfield lies immediatelyadjacent to theAllanWater north of Dunblane, with the small settlement of Kinbuck, also with an old mill, nestled at the foot of a ridge of glacial moraine in a loop of the river.

Elsewhere, the pattern is primarily one of traditional farmsteads and small houses, some modern, scattered along or accessed from public roads on the lower to mid valley slopes; together with the estate houses of Glassingall and Cromlix, with their associated lodges and farms. There is almost no settlement on the upper valley slopes above the 150m contour line.

Summary

• Transitional character merging diverse visual qualities of Strath Allan to the north, foothills of Ochils to east and narrowing valley to the south.

• Hummocks of glacial deposits such as the ‘Lady’s Mount’ north of Dunblane, provide small-scale interest and visual focus.

• Diversity of tree and woodland cover.• Valley shelters the historic settlement and important urban area of Dunblane.

Intense pressure for further development on margins.• Views vary from longandopen, across anddown the valley, to confinedand

intimate near to the river or in areas of rolling, wooded farmland. Visual dominance of route corridor in some locations.

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L4Allan Water




• Successive phases of residential development on the edges of Dunblane with intense pressure for further housing and commercial development. Planning Permission in Principle approved for an additional golf course to north-east of the town.

• New housing in the countryside, including conversion of traditional farm steadings to multiple-unit residential use.

• Older commercial plantations at or near harvesting. Significant potential forrestructuringwhenrestockingtoimprovebiodiversity,landscape‘fit’and,whereappropriate, access. Also scope for enhancing and expanding native and mixed woods.

• Christmas tree production established in several areas.• Some poorly maintained fences and stone walls in more marginal areas.• The proposed Beauly to Denny 400kV electricity transmission line will introduce a

new man-made linear feature into the northern part of this landscape.• Area of interest for wind turbines (of all size classes).• Potential access management problems as a result of recreational pressure on

settlement margins.• Potential pressure for further working of glacial deposits.• Potential area of interest for run-of river micro hydro schemes.

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Particular sensitivities within the Allan Water Landscape:

• RoleandimportanceofthelandscapetothesettingofDunblane,Ashfieldand Kinbuck. Development or land-use change that may detract from settings and key views in (e.g. to landmark buildings) and out require very careful assessment.

• Safeguarding the setting of historic mansion houses and associated parkland/policies.

• Cumulative effects of development. The risk of attrition of rural character and suburbanization is particularly high close to settlements and along the A9 corridor.

• Protection of visually prominent glacial features. Seek to preserve key features in mineral or other development proposals.

• The Braes of Doune Windfarm lies in another landscape, but is a distinctive feature from a number of viewpoints within this character area. Additional wind energy development in this or adjacent landscapes could cause visual complexity and confusion. (A single medium-scale turbine already sits above Cromlix.)

42

L4Allan Water


Guidelines for planting and biodiversity:

• Significantpotentialforareatomakepositivecontributiontoenhancement/expansionof the wider Stirling Green Network.

• As older commercial plantations reach harvesting, ensure restructuring/restocking improvesbiodiversity,landscape‘fit’and,whereappropriate,access.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to manage and enhance small-scale pattern of woods and shelterbelts on middle ground. Potential to enhance and expand native woodland network, particularly in the vicinity of Cromlix House and Glassingall.

• Encourage the management and eventual replacement of individual parkland trees and exotic specimens within estate policies.

• Supportmanagementandrestorationofexistingstonedykefieldboundaries.

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L5Teith ValleyRolling Valley Farmland

As River Teith winds its way eastwards from its origins near to Callander its immediate valley is relatively narrow, meandering thorough higher undulating farmland to the north and south. Numerous minor watercourses originating from these slopes and the hill mass further to the north gradually enlarge the river and it swings south-eastwards, cuttingawider route throughrolling farmland to reach itsconfluencewith theRiverForth on the Carse of Stirling.


This area includes all of Character Area 20: TEITH River Valley, but also takes in rolling farmland on the south side of the valley, which is described in Character Area 31 FORTH/TEITH Valley Fringe. (Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, 1999, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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L5Teith Valley


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

The Teith Valley lies in a fold of land formed by the broad expanse of the Brase of Doune to the north and a ridge of higher ground, separating it from the Forth Valley and Carse of Stirling, to the south. The river itself is often concealed from public view, being most visible at Deanston and near Doune Castle. The sides of the valley are overlaid in many places by glacial deposits, forming distinctive features in several areas. The extraction of the sand and gravel that makes up these landforms has been and continues to be an important industry in the valley. After-use varies from farming andforestrytolandfill.

Thewell-farmedfertilevalleyandlowervalleysidesaredividedintofieldsofpastureand crops, edged by clipped hawthorn or beech hedgerows, stone walls or post and wire fences. These give way on higher and/or poorer land to rougher pasture and conifer plantations. The policy woodlands of the numerous estates that straddle the lower levels of the valley are an important feature of the area, which together with riparian woodland and the commercial plantations, result in a well-wooded character.

The valley is an important route corridor – the A84 closely follows the course of the Teith, which was once paralleled by a railway line also. The locally important B8032 runs on the south side of the valley, over rolling farmland above the river. Another minor road climbs even higher on the north side of the valley and a number of additional tracks serve scattered farms and provide access for forestry. Good network of core and other footpaths around Doune and Deanston and a cycle route is proposed between Doune and Callander on the disused railway line.

Within the landscape views are generally channeled along the valley but vary in extent - sometimes enclosed by landform or trees, sometimes opening out over the wider valley and, intermittently, towards Ben Ledi in the west and the Ochils in the west. (More open/extensive views from sections of minor road on boundary with Braes of Doune.)Inwardviewsarelargelyconfinedtoadjacenthigherground.

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Settlement Pattern

The historic small town of Doune and little planned settlement of Deanston are the main settlements, lying at the east of the valley, just before the river cuts southwards towards the Carse of Stirling. (The town of Callander, at the western end of the Valley, lies within the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.) There is also a cluster of houses associated with Doune Estate, lying adjacent to the A84 at Buchany. Elsewhere settlement is largely dispersed and is usually relatively close to and accessed from the public roads. It largely comprises traditional farmsteads and cottages, although there are a few modern houses also.

Historic Doune Castle and a number of mansion houses with their associated estate buildings and features are found along the valley. The mansion houses and estates include: Cambusmore; Lanrick (house demolished); Doune Estate; Deanston House and Blair Drummond.

Summary

• Lush, well-tended and long-settled valley - attractive mix of fertile agricultural land, grazing land and a rich diversity of tree and woodland cover.

• Edges of valley more transitional character, merging diverse visual qualities of the Braes of Doune to the north-east and forested higher ground on Lennieston Muir in the west.

• Marked presence of estates with associated buildings and features, such as walls and policies and parkland. (Doune Estate and Blair Drummond are nationally important designed landscapes.)

• The gently rolling landform and wealth of tree cover helps to absorb and lessen the disruptive effects of gravel extraction operations and busy A84 trunk road.

• Generally introverted visual character, with frequent enclosed views.• Important route corridor and a ‘gateway’ to the national park.

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L5Teith Valley




• Some commercial plantations at or near harvesting stage. Restocking offers opportunities to improve age and species diversity, biodiversity value and edges.

• Some poorly maintained fences and stone walls in marginal areas.• Development on the edges of Doune and Deanston.• New housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to

multiple-unit residential use.• Area of interest for tourism related developments because of proximity to the

national park.• Pressure on traditional estates for development of buildings and grounds.• Working of glacial deposits with potential pressure for further extraction. • Potential area of interest for small to medium-scale wind turbines.• Potential area of interest from run-of-river/micro hydro schemes.• Potential area for expansion of mixed and/or native broadleaf woodland.

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Particular sensitivities within the Teith Valley Landscape:

Well-established landscape framework has potential to absorb some carefully considered land use change. However sensitivities exist in respect of:

• Protection of visually prominent glacial features. Seek to preserve key features in mineral or other development proposals.

• Character at lower levels relies on a balance of diverse smaller scale landscape features.

• Upper slopes merging with the Braes of Doune are more visible in long-distance views.

• Safeguarding the setting of important historic buildings and associated designed landscapes.


48

L5Teith Valley


Guideline for planting and biodiversity

• Safeguard prime nature conservation value of River Teith Site of Special ScientificInterest.

• As commercial plantations reach harvesting, ensure restructuring/restocking improves biodiversity,landscape‘fit’and,whereappropriate,access.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to manage and enhance small-scale pattern of hedgerow trees, woods and shelterbelts on lower ground. Potential to enhance and expand native woodland network, subject to safeguarding important open habitats.



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L6DykeheadRolling Valley Farmland

A belt of glacial deposits on a north-south alignment cuts across the Carse of Stirling to the west of Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve. The River Forth has cut a way throughthesedepositsnearParksofGarden,sothatanarrowstripofflatlandlinksthe Carse West of Stirling and Flanders Moss West, with higher land to either side. The small but distinctive landscape of Dykehead is the northern of the two areas of gently rolling farmland established on the remnant end moraines, lying east and south of the Lake of Menteith. In terms of landform, land cover and settlement history it differs markedly from the adjacent carselands.


This area is not included in any published national landscape character assessment. It was not included in the Central Region Assessment and falls outwith Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Landscape Assessment.

50

L6Dykehead


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

This undulating landscape nestles below the Menteith Hills and between Flanders Moss and the Lake of Menteith, which lies within the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. It comprises farmland, woodland and parkland largely sitting upon glacial deposits and elevated above nearby areas of carse land and the lake. These deposits form the northern section of the Western Forth Valley Geological Conservation Review Site, of national importance for our understanding of ice movements during the last ice age. Part of the landscape also lies within the Rednock Local Landscape Area. Diversity of tree cover is a distinctive feature of this landscape with many hedgerow and roadside trees in addition to the woods and policies. These form a valuable network of woodland habitats. Field boundaries are generally clipped hedges and/or post and wire fencing. Stone walls demarcate some estate boundaries.

The B8034, linking Port of Menteith to Arnprior, runs through the middle of the landscape; but despite this much of the area has a sense of intimacy and privacy because of the hummocky topography, tree cover and lack of formalised footpaths through the estate policies and parkland. Views are generally shortened and contained by the landform and tree cover. There are glimpsed views through trees to the Lake of Menteith from the B8034 and more open views occur along the A81, which forms the northern boundary with the national park.

The northern part of this landscape makes an important contribution to the setting of the Lake of Menteith (an important tourist destination and recreational resource) and the Port of Menteith.

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L6DykeheadRolling Valley Farmland

Settlement Pattern

Raised above the adjacent carse, but at a lower elevation than the upland to the north, this sheltered and well-drained landscape has a long history of settlement including the estate houses of Rednock and Cardross and scattered farmsteads and roadside houses, many in an attractive vernacular style.

The little settlement of Port of Menteith lies just within the national park at the junction of this landscape with the Menteith Hills and the lake. Just south of the village and to the east of the B8034, lie a small cemetery and a public car park located in woodland.

Summary

• Small-medium scale landscape with distinctive landform features fashioned by geologicalprocessesandcontrastbetweenrollinglandformandtheadjacentflatcarse and lake.

• Rich diversity of tree cover, including commercial conifer plantations, broadleaf woodland and copses together with parkland, policy and hedgerow trees.

• Not densely populated but overall impression is of an area of established hamlets and farms. Although the mansion houses of Rednock House and Cardross are not generally visible from the wider landscape, their designed landscapes have a stronginfluenceonthelandscapecharacterofthearea.

• Tranquil and rural character with a sense of shelter, privacy and seclusion because of the undulating topography, tree cover and lack of formalized footpaths through the estate policies and parkland.

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L6Dykehead




• Some areas of commercial woodland are nearing harvesting.• Decline and loss of old parkland trees.• New housing in the countryside.• Potential pressure for tourism related development because of proximity to the

national park.• Potential for some enhancement/expansion of mixed and semi-natural woodland.

Particular sensitivities within the Dykehead Landscape:

• Man made elements of a scale or nature which are at odds with the small to medium scale of the rolling farmed and wooded landscape, its quiet landscape character and setting of the lake or impact on the geological resource.

• Safeguarding the setting of important historic buildings and associated designed landscapes.



• Safeguard and enhance functionally connected habitats, which cover much of the area.

• Manage tree cover to safeguard diversity and maintain well-wooded character. Limited expansion of woodland may be appropriate, subject to maintaining an appropriate balance with parkland and other open space and safeguarding the existing network of functionally connected woodland habitats and the geological resource.


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L7Garden/GartinstarryRolling Valley Farmland

A belt of glacial deposits on a north-south alignment cuts across the Carse of Stirling to the west of Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve. The River Forth has cut a waythroughthesedepositsnearParksofGarden,sothatanarrowstripofflatlandlinks the Carse West of Stirling and Flanders Moss West, with higher land to either side. The small but distinctive landscape of Garden/Gartinstarry sits partially on the southernmost of these deposits and on a belt of hummocky land extending west, separating Flanders Moss West and the farmed slopes rising to Kippen Muir to the south and Bat a’Charchel in the west.



54

L7Garden/Gartinstarry


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

ThissmallbeltofundulatinglandscapeliesbetweentheflatvalleyfloorofWestFlandersMoss (L3) and rising ground which forms the farmed valley fringe landscape of Forth/Kippen Muir (L15) and, to the west, the moorland hill fringe of Bat a’ Charchel (L22). It comprises farmland, woodland and parkland, sitting in part upon the glacial deposits that form the southern section of the Western Forth Valley Geological Conservation Review Site; which is of national importance for our understanding of ice movements during the last ice age.

The sheltered location and well-drained soils support good grazing and arable production. Diversity of tree cover is a distinctive feature of this landscape with many hedgerow and roadside trees in addition to small woods and policies. These form a valuable network of woodland habitats. Field boundaries are generally low clipped hawthorn hedges and/or post and wire fencing.

The A 811, Stirling to Drymen road, roughly marks the southern edge of this landscape, and the B835 runs through its western section. A number of minor roads and access tracks lead off these two public roads to serve scattered farms and houses. Several core footpaths link Buchlyvie to the north and east of this landscape, with recreational access to the west via minor roads and tracks.

Within this character area many internal views are shortened and contained by the landform and tree cover, only unfolding to the wider landscape on its edges or on open crests of higher ground.

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L7Garden/GartinstarryRolling Valley Farmland

Settlement Pattern

Raised above the adjacent carse, but at a lower elevation than the upland to the south, this sheltered and relatively well-drained landscape has a long history of settlement. The predominant pattern is one of individual traditional farmsteads and some houses adjacent to the minor roads or set along tracks leading off the A811 or B835. But the area also includes several larger houses, such as Garden, Ballochneck and Auchentroig, set in their own parkland and/or policies.

The village of Buchlyvie lies at the junction of this landscape with the rising valley side. Originally the settlement was aligned east to west, adjacent to the Stirling to Drymen Road (now the A811); but it subsequently expanded south, up the lower valley slopes, and north - onto the edge of this landscape. The most recent phase of expansion has also been into this area.

Summary

• A narrow belt of small to medium scale undulating farmland with woods. Distinctive landform features fashioned by geological process. The policies and parkland associatedwithanumberofsmallmansionhousesalsohaveastronginfluenceon landscape character.

• Not densely populated but overall impression is of an area of established and prosperous farms.

• Diversity of tree cover, including small conifer and mixed woods, avenues, copses, parkland, policy and hedgerow trees.

• Tranquil rural character with a sense of shelter and seclusion because of the undulating topography and tree cover.

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L7Garden/Gartinstarry




• New housing on the edge of Buchlyvie• New housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to

multiple-unit residential use.• Tourist accommodation already provided at a number of farms and houses.

Potential area of interest for tourism related developments because of proximity to the national park

• Potential area of interest for small to medium-scale wind turbines.• Potential area for expansion of mixed and/or native broadleaf woodland.

Particular sensitivities within the Garden/Gartinstarry Landscape:

• Man made elements of a scale or nature which are at odds with the small to medium scale of the rolling farmed and wooded landscape, its quiet landscape character or impact on the geological resource.

• Safeguarding the setting of historic mansion houses and associated parkland/policies. Existing character vulnerable to change through decay or loss of key traditional features


• Manage tree cover to safeguard diversity and maintain relatively well-wooded character. Hedgerows and hedgerow/roadside trees are a valuable local resource - encourage their retention and management.

• Limited expansion of woodland may be appropriate, subject to maintaining an appropriate balance with parkland and other open space and safeguarding the geological resource.


57

L8Middle Endrick WaterRolling Valley Farmland

Tucked at the northern foot of the Campsie Fells, separated from the Forth Valley by the Fintry Hills and Kippen Muir, the middle section of the Endrick Water Valley has a ‘hidden’ quality, appreciated especially when approached from higher land. The valley forms a cohesive topographic feature, although its character changes from east to west.


This area broadly conforms to Character Area 27: MIDDLE ENDRICK WATER River Valley (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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L8Middle Endrick Water


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

As the Endrick Water leaves the hills its valley is tightly contained by the high masses of the Fintry Hills to the north and the Campsie Fells to the south. Beyond the bridging point at Fintry the valley gradually opens out – as the precipitous outer edges of the Fintry Hills give way to a lower moorland plateau in the north and spreading foot slopes separate the valley from the high corries and scarps of the Campsie Fells to the south. A further change occurs as the river approaches the bridging point below Balfron, and the valley again becomes pinched between higher land.

SouthofFintry,thenarrowvalleyfloorwithitssmoothgrassfieldsandripariantreescontrasts strongly with the closely encroaching, roughly textured hill slopes, with their assortment of rock outcrops, bracken and moorland. Nearer to Fintry the steep valley sides are patterned with woodland and the estate policies of Culcreuch Castle. This upper part of the valley lies within a local landscape designation, the Southern Hills Local Landscape Area.

From Fintry to Endrick Bridge the small, strongly meandering river runs across a near-flatvalleyfloor,occasionallybrokenbygentleundulationsandenclosedbysteeplyrolling valley slopes. Many streams run from the surrounding high land across these slopestomergewiththeEndrickWater.Thepasturelandofthevalleyfloorispatternedby a variety of clipped or tall beech or hawthorn hedgerows and fences, or occasional drystone walling. Trees and woodlands make a positive contribution in the form of mature deciduous avenue and roadside trees; curvilinear shelterbelts; copses and thickets of trees hugging dwellings; streamside fringes; and mixed and broad-leaved semi-natural woodlands of ash, beech and oak. Woodland cover is especially marked in the vicinity of Ballikinrain, where there are a number of old policy and parkland landscapes. To the north of the valley, where it merges with the higher open plateau of Kippen/Ballindalloch Muir, woods are less common but small patches of birch and conifers, and hawthorn and gorse hedges occur.

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TheEndrickWateritselfisaSiteofSpecialScientificInterestandaSpecialAreaofConservation for lampreys.

The valley is a route corridor for the locally important B822 and B818 roads; in addition a minor road runs on the north side of the valley, just below Ballindalloch Muir.

Viewswithinthelandscapearepredominantlychanneledalongtheriverfloodplainorvalley sides, restricted and dominated by the surrounding hills and moorland plateau. Dramatic views to crags and corries on Fintry and Campsie Hills. Important views into the landscape on descending from higher ground on the B822.

Settlement Pattern

The valley is well settled in comparison to the surrounding hills and moorland.

The small linear village of Fintry stretches intermittently along the Endrick Water where it leaves the hills. The main settlement is centred on the bridging point of the Kippen Road and contains many pleasant stone or harled dwellings, including a stretch of late 18thcenturymillworkers’flattedcottages.Furthereastisanoutlyingpartofthevillagefocused on Fintry Kirk and the Clachan Inn.

Away from the village numerous farmsteads, houses and estate houses are strung along or accessed off the roads running along the edges of the valley. A small modern housing development is located adjacent to the public road within an old walled garden at Ballikinrain, but the majority of the scattered settlement is traditional in form and construction.

To the west, below Ballindalloch Muir, the large village of Balfron, of 18th and 19th century origins, spreads up the valley slope, extended by occasionally visually intrusive new housing at its edges.

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Summary

• The valley changes in character from east to west, as it opens out and farming extends up the valley sides.

• Strong enclosure and intimate visual character of upper valley around Fintry, which lies within a designated Local Landscape Area.

• Strongpresenceandinfluenceoflargeestatehousesandtheirassociatedestatebuildings parkland and woods.

• Richly patterned landscape, often intimate in character with a sense of enclosure, althoughtheinfluenceoftheencroachingmoorslessensthesettledcharacterofthe valley.

• Hidden/secret quality.

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• Pressure for expansion on edges of Fintry and Balfron.• New housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to

multiple-unit residential and/or commercial use.• Development of buildings and grounds on traditional estates, with potential

pressure for further development.• Potential area of interest for tourism related development.• Potential area for expansion of mixed and/or native broadleaved woodland.• Potential area of interest for small to medium scale wind turbines within the more

open section of valley.• Potential area of interest for run-of-river/micro hydro schemes.

Particular sensitivities within the Middle Endrick Water Landscape:

• Larger or cumulative developments that erode the sense of containment or secluded and tranquil character of the valley. In these respects the direct and indirect effects of development or land use change should be considered.

• Importance of the valley in foreground views of adjacent distinctive hill edges, particularly the dramatic northern edge of the Campsie Fells.

• Role and importance of the landscape in the setting of Fintry and a number of historic and designed landscapes. Development or land-use change that may detract from settings and key views in (e.g. to landmark buildings) and out require very careful assessment.

• Role and importance of the upper valley in respect of the wider Southern Hills Local Landscape Area - its character and special qualities.

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• Safeguard prime nature conservation value of the Endrick Water Special Area of ConservationandSiteofSpecialScientificInterest.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to manage, enhance and expand the small-scale pattern of hedgerows, hedgerow trees, woods and shelterbelts.


• Ensure appropriately scaled and selected tree and other planting (especially hedges) are provided for new built development. Adequate space needs to be allowed for this.

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L9Lower Endrick WaterRolling Valley Farmland

This well-settled, agricultural landscape of strongly rolling terrain encloses the lower Endrick Water and its confluence with the Blane Water to the north-west of theCampsie Fells. The low smoothly rounded and interlocking ridges and hummocks form a common horizon line, through which the winding river is generally inconspicuous and obscured.


This area broadly conforms to Character Area 26: ENDRICK WATER/BLANE WATER River Valley (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf) It is also contiguous and shares some characteristics with the ‘Rolling Farmland with Estates’ and ‘River Valley Farmland with Estates’ landscape character types in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Landscape Assessment.

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L9Lower Endrick Water


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

The valley of the Endrick Water west of Balfron opens out and the sloping the valley sides are overlaid by a complex pattern of ridged and rounded landforms, which largely hide the course of the river. These hummocky features are formed by glacial deposits and are important for our understanding of the glacial history and associated landscape change in this part of Scotland. The western section of this character area contains features of national importance, designated as a Geological Conservation Review Site.

Thevariedorientationof thedepositshasastrong influenceonhowthe landscapeis experienced at a local level. North-west and west of Gartness the main features are long moraine ridges, on a roughly north/south axis. North-east and east of the Gartness, either side of the river and on the rising ground towards Balfron and Killearn, clusters of rounded, hummocky drumlins are generally orientated east to west. The Endrick Water and a few minor tributaries meander around and occasionally cut throughthesefeatures.TheEndrickWateritselfisaSiteofSpecialScientificInterestand a Special Area of Conservation for lampreys.

Land-use is predominantly agricultural. Post-and-wire fencing divides the fields ofpastureland; internal hedgerows occur, but are not common except in a few localised areas - similarly with sandstone walls. In contrast the edges of many minor roads and tracks are edged by neatly clipped beech or hawthorn hedges. Field and lane boundaries are liberally sprinkled with broad-leaved trees.

West of the A81 woodland cover is very localised but to the east of the trunk road the farmland is broken up by numerous coniferous or deciduous shelterbelts, lines of birch, ash and oak woodland edging some of the watercourses and policy landscapes. SeveralsmallwoodlandswestofKillearnaredesignatedasSitesofSpecialScientificinterest and form part of a small network of functionally connected woodland habitats.

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The northern, eastern and southern boundaries of this character area are broadly definedbytheA811,A875andB834,whilstandthebusyA81runsroughlynorthtosouth through the middle. A number of other minor roads and tracks wind through the landscape, some forming core or countryside paths. It is still possible to discern the line of a dismantled railway line curving through the rolling landform, part of which now forms a section of the West Highland Way.

Within the strongly rolling and well-treed landscape views are alternately contained and open. On rising ground and ridges some wide views are possible - to the craggy face of the Campsie Fells and hills to the north as well as the glinting, twisting meanders of the Endrick Water near Drymen, alternating with more localised views within the lower dips. Key views into and across this landscape are from the surrounding higher ground.

Settlement Pattern

The landscape is relatively well-settled, the legacy of farming and industrial activity over a long-period and easy access to/from the Glasgow conurbation. In addition to a large number of scattered farmsteads and houses there are number of larger houses set in their own parkland and policies.

The small hamlets of Gartness, Balfron Station and Boquhan are tucked into the landscape, whilst the larger villages of Balfron and Killearn sit elevated above and on the very edges of this character area, at the junction with other landscape types. In both these settlements the historic village centres have been extended by 19th and 20th century housing development. Some of the modern housing sits prominently and uncomfortably in the landscape.

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Summary

• Glacialdepositsoverlaidon thevalleyfloorandsideslopescreateacomplex,strongly detailed landform. The undulations of the landform are emphasized by a strongpatternoffieldenclosure.

• Mosaic of farmland with relatively high proportion of tree cover and hedgerows, especially in the east.

• Nationally important glacial landforms near Gartness and high nature conservation value of river habitats and scattered small semi-natural woodlands.

• Long history of settlement and human activity has left a heritage of post-medieval industrial archaeology, estate houses and parkland, farmsteads and prosperous villages - with continued pressure for expansion.

• Land form and land cover combined create a landscape with varied/alternating experience of prospect and shelter as well as a landscape that has absorbed relatively high levels of settlement, yet still feels largely rural in character.

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• Intensive development pressure on settlement edges at Balfron and Killearn and smaller settlements such as Balfron Station.


• Some loss/decline of hedgerow trees and hedges, as they age and are not replacedorwhenfieldsareamalgamated.

• Pressure on traditional estates for development of buildings and grounds.• Potential area of interest for tourism related developments because of proximity

to the national park and West Highland Way.• Potential pressure for working of glacial deposits.• Potential area of interest for small to medium-scale wind turbines.• Potential area for expansion of mixed and/or native broadleaf woodland.

Particular sensitivities within the Lower Endrick Water Landscape:

Relatively robust landscape framework has potential to absorb carefully scaled, sensitively sited and designed development. However, sensitivity to changes in landscape character with regard to:

• Man made elements of a scale or nature which are at odds with the small to medium scale of the rolling farmed and wooded landscape or impact on the geological resource.

• Protection of visually prominent glacial features outwith the Geological Conservation Review Site: Seek to preserve key features in any mineral or other development proposals.

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• Safeguard prime nature conservation value of the Endrick Water and other Sites ofSpecialScientificInterest.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to manage and enhance small-scale pattern of hedgerow trees, woods and shelterbelts. Potential to enhance and expand native woodland network to the east of the A81 and along the river near to Gartness, subject to maintaining integrity of the Geological Conservation Review Site.


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L10Strath BlaneRolling Valley Farmland

From its origins in the Strathblane Hills, the Blane Water cuts a course north-westwards between the commanding presence of the Campsie Fells and the rugged outcrops and steepslopesedgingthemoorlandfringesoftheKilpatrickHills.Theflatbottomedvalleybecomesbroaderastheriverflowswestwardsfromitssourcetowardsitsconfluencewith the Endrick Water. The domestic character of this lush, well-settled landscape is overshadowed by the dominant volcanic hills which rear above.


This area broadly conforms to Character Area 25: STRATH BLANE River Valley (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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L10Strath Blane


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

The valley is at its narrowest at its eastern end, where it is overlooked by the neighbouring villagesofStrathblane,NetherblaneandBlanefield.Theriverthenrunsthroughthedesignedlandscape of Duntreath Castle and past the local landmark of Dumgoyach Hill before openingouttoformasmallflat-bottomedstrath.Theriverisfedbyminorburntributarieswhichtumbledownthehillslopestoeithersideandbecomemodifiedandstraightenedintounobtrusivefieldditchesonthefarmedvalleyfloor.

Thelargegrassfieldsofthevalleyfloorareedgedbylowstonewalls,post-and-wirefences,clipped beech and hawthorn hedgerows with occasional lines of hedgerow trees. Woodland is concentrated along the sides of the valley, with large sweeping swathes of mixed coniferous andbroadleafwoodland,shelterbeltsandpolicyplantings.Treecoveron thevalleyfloorislimited,largelyconfinedtoanareaimmediatelyaroundDuntreathCastleandfewsmallblocks of conifers in the widest part of the valley, somewhat disrupting the open character.

Travelling from east to west there is a strong sense of escape as the river emerges from compression within the hills to wind through the more open strath and as views become less dominated by the proximity of the Campsies, opening out towards the lower undulating farmlandnearDrymen.FromthevillagesofStrathblaneandBlanefieldtherearemanyviewsout to the wooded hills and up to the Campsie Fells. Key views into the valley are from the surrounding higher ground - for example from parts of Killearn and from the A81 Milngavie Road as it descends into Strathblane.

The strath is an important route corridor through the hills that separate the lowlands around Glasgow and the Clyde from the Forth Valley. The busy A81 runs along the length of the strath and was once paralleled by a railway line - which is now used in part for a section of the West Highland Way. Other local recreational routes provide access along the valley and onto the surrounding hills. An occasionally visually prominent line of pylons runs along the western edge of the valley before rising onto the adjacent moorland.

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ThevalleyslopesnorthofStrathblane/BlanefieldandtotheeastoftheA81liewithinthe Southern Hills Local Landscape Area. Land in an arc east, south and west of the settlement is designated Green Belt and contributes to the wider objectives of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Belt, established to control and direct development on the edges of Greater Glasgow. This designation has played a key role in maintaining the separate identities of Strathblane, Mugdock and Milngavie in the face of intense development pressure.

Settlement Pattern

Within the narrower parts of the strath settlement generally avoids the valley bottom, and scattered farms, cottages and houses are located along the valley sides; often partially hidden by the extensive tree cover. The key exceptions are Duntreath Castle, which lieson thevalleyfloorsurroundedand largelyconcealedby itsparklandandpolicies and part of the centre of Strathblane.

ThesettlementsofStrathblaneandBlanefieldhaveadistinctivecharacterandstrongrelationship to the landscape, key features are:• Form of settlement clearly related to topography and aligned along the curving

lines of the valley • Large number of trees through the settlement visually link the village(s) to the

wooded hills above• Predominance of white walled buildings with grey roofs

Development pressure is extremely high, because of the attractive character of the village(s) and proximity to the Glasgow conurbation. To date most modern development has been well contained and has not detracted from the relationship of the settlement with it’s setting - however this relationship is extremely sensitive and could be easily eroded. (For more information see David Tyldesley & Associates, Stirling Landscape Assessment for SNH and Stirling Council, 1999.)

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L10Strath Blane


Dumgoyne Distillery is located in a wider part of the strath, the original buildings are tucked into a fold of the valley side on its north-eastern edge, although modern storage shedsandavisitorcarparknowsitontheedgeofthevalleyfloor.AfewscatteredhousesandroadsideinnarealsolocatedonthevalleyflooratthenearbyhamletofDumgoyne. The abandoned Killearn Hospital site and some remaining buildings lie on theedgeofthevalleyflooratthenorthernendofthevalley.

Summary

• Strong topographic and visual identity, defined by flat valley floor enclosedby steep slopes on both sides with a prosperous lowland character in marked contrast to the surrounding, looming hills and moorland.

• Southern/eastern end of the strathmore closely confinedwith strong linearityreinforced by enclosing hills, settlement form and shape/orientation of valley-side woodland.

• Northern/westernendofthevalleylessconfined,withflatvalleybottomfarmlandand more open views

• Rich variety of woodland types.• Natural and cultural heritage features of national and local importance.• Intense development pressure because of proximity to and accessibility from

major urban area.

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• ExpansiononedgesofStrathblaneandBlanefield,withcontinuedpressureforfurther development.

• New housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to multiple-unit residential and/or commercial use.

• Area of interest for tourism related development - on main approach road to national park and accessible from Glasgow conurbation.

• Sand and gravel extraction• Potential area for expansion of mixed and/or native broadleaved woodland.• Potential area of interest for small to medium scale wind turbines within the more

open section of valley.

Particular sensitivities within the Strath Blane Landscape:

• Cumulative effects of small developments are as much a risk as individual larger-scale developments in eroding distinctive landscape character and quality. The risk of attrition of rural character and suburbanization is particularly high close to settlements and along the A81 corridor.

• Large man-made structures, such as pylons, masts and turbines on the floor,sidesorupperedgesofthevalley, which overshadow or diminish the scale and character of the valley.

• Safeguard setting of local landmark features of Dumgoyach and Dunglass.• Safeguard the setting of historic mansion houses and associated parkland/

policies. Existing character vulnerable to change through decay or loss of key traditional features.

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L10Strath Blane



• Tree cover is an important characteristic of the settlements of Strathblane and Blanefield. Encourage retention, management and eventual replacement ofexisting resource and ensure appropriate tree planting is provided for any new developments.

• Encourage traditional management and enhancement of estate woodlands, including the management and eventual replacement of individual parkland trees and exotic specimens within policies.

• Potential for some expansion of native woodland, subject to maintaining a balancebetweenwoodlandandopen land, especially on the valley floor, andsafeguarding key views.

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L11Carron ValleyForested River Basin

The dominant feature of this landscape is the Carron Valley Reservoir, nestling within and enclosed by the volcanic masses of the Campsie Fells and the Fintry, Gargunnock and Kilsyth Hills. From the margins of the reservoir the hill slopes sweep up to the surrounding hills and peaks - until recently largely covered in mature conifer plantations, although a long-term programme of major harvesting and restocking is now underway. The whole valley lies within the Southern Hills Local Landscape Area.

Relationship to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) National Landscape Character Assessment

ThisareabroadlyconformstoCharacterArea28:UPPERCARRONRiverValley(AshConsulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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L11Carron Valley

Forested River Basin

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

At the eastern end of the area (between Carron Bridge and Carron Dam) the valley is relatively narrow and there are no views of the reservoir; but elsewhere the circle of hills creates a natural ‘basin’ landform, which is overlaid with the dominant modern and man-made elements of water supply reservoir and conifer plantations. Localized open areas occur at Craigannet Hill and part of Dundaff Hill, which are given over to improved and rough grazing with tumbledown stone walls and post-and-wire fencing; andtothenorth-westofthereservoir,wheretherelativelyflatandopengroundaroundLoch Watson and Todholes Farm allows views to the Earlsburn windfarm. There is also an open area of poor rough grassland and heather moorland centred on Meikle Bin. In addition to the softwood forests there are drifts of mixed woodland and trees along the northern edge of the reservoir and a distinctive pattern of shelterbelts on the south-westflankofDundaffHill.

This is a landscape undergoing change. Forest harvesting is opening up areas and views hidden for many years and whilst restocking will return many areas to productive woodland, its character and appearance will be somewhat different, with greater age, structural and textural diversity.

Windfarms have been established in adjacent hill areas and the dynamic presence of the large turbines is prominent from the surrounding hill peaks, although they can only be seen at present from a few low level locations in the valley.

The B818 traverses the valley from west to east, hugging the north shore of the reservoir and following the River Carron beyond the dam. The combination of accessibility from urban areas, a good network of paths and a sense of relative isolation make this a popular recreational area. Localized impression of neglect, for example: where traditionalfieldboundariesare inpoor repairor therearesmallareasofderelictionassociated with former land uses

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Settlement Pattern

Settlement is very sparse, most of the former farms having lost their land to the reservoirandforest,andislargelyconfinedtolocationsclosetotheB818.Therearesome clusters of farms and houses at Carron Dam and Muirmill, where shelter and access are more favourable. They vary in character from traditional farm steadings and houses to more modern suburban-style properties, for example at Carron Dam. (These ‘water board’ houses relate to the infrastructure and the managed areas immediately around the dam, rather than to the surrounding countryside.)

Summary

• Medium to large scale, enclosed, simple landscape, dominated by the basin-like landform, forested slopes and expanse of reservoir.

• Strong sense of enclosure and introspection within the valley and forested slopes, although panoramic views from the open hill tops allow appreciation of the setting in the wider landscape.

• An important commercial forestry area that is planned for long-term retention and production, although environmental improvements are being made through layout and forest design as the timber is harvested. The on-going programme of felling and restocking makes this a landscape of change – an impression heightened by the development of windfarms close by.

• Settlementissparse,confinedprimarilytotheeasternendofthevalleyandcloseto the B818. Small groups of houses are found at a few locations, otherwise settlement is dispersed.

• The simple composition of water and afforested hillside, combined with very little settlement creates a moderately remote atmosphere.

• Scenic and recreational importance of this landscape and the encircling hills, are recognized by a Local Landscape Area designation.


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• Ongoing programme of major forest felling and restructuring which will, in time, bring about positive changes. (Unsympathetic woodland margins and lack ofvisual diversity and biodiversity were identified as ‘negative attributes’ in theNational Landscape Character Assessment.)

• Plans to reduce the input of fertilisers etc during restocking may bring the tree-line for commercial forestry down-slope.

• Loss of tree and shelterbelts through lack of management outwith managed forest area.

• Oldstonefieldboundariesfallingintodisrepairand/orreplacementwithpostandwire fencing.

• Area of considerable interest for large-scale wind turbines and windfarms.• Potential area of interest for new housing in the countryside, particularly in

relatively accessible locations.• Potential for increase in recreational use and within an area that could be included

in a country/ regional park partnership, to enhance recreational management and development.

L11Carron Valley


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Particular sensitivities within the Carron Valley Landscape:

• Developments or changes to land management that compromise the feeling of containment or diminish the sense of scale and seclusion.

• New buildings out of scale or character with the existing predominantly scattered and traditional patterns of development. Requirement for careful siting and design applies to all built development, for example power houses associated with run-of-river/micro hydro schemes as well as farm, commercial or residential developments.

• Grounddisturbance,resultingforexamplefromcutandfillworks,cantakemany years to restore/recover because of the nature of the upland soils and harsh climate. Particular care is needed to protect and conserve high carbon/peat soils and to avoid pollution of watercourses.

• Development tipping delicate balance of existing wind energy developments and landscape character/quality within the Carron Valley and of the Southern Hills as a whole. Presence of windfarms in adjacent landscapes heightens sensitivity to some forms/scales of additional wind energy development within the Carron Valley. In particular, potential for adverse effects on the setting and‘fit’ofexistingwindenergydevelopmentsandonoveralllandscapecharacter(including local distinctions), were additional wind energy developments to spread to inappropriate new areas, increase the extent of skylines affected or result in visual complexity and confusion from key public viewpoints.


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Guidelines for planting and bio-diversity

• Ensure restructuring of the productive forest continues to address issues of unsympathetic margins and lack of visual diversity and biodiversity.

• Safeguard scenic and nature conservation value of small areas of native broadleaves. Potential to enhance and expand native woodland network, particularly where relict areas of broadleaves are found and along margins and watercourses when plantations are restructured.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to manage and enhance small-scale pattern of shelterbelts around Dundaff Hill.

• Potential for sensitive expansion of forestry on north side of reservoir, to unify visual character, although this would need to balanced against loss of open habitats, which have their own biodiversity value.


L11Carron Valley


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L12West Ochil Hill FringeFarmed Hill Fringe

An area of steeply sloping or rolling farmland and woodland lying to the south-west of the Ochil Hills and Sheriff Muir but elevated above the adjacent river valleys of the Allan Water and Carse of Stirling; it also includes Abbey Craig and landmark building of the WallaceMonument.ThislandscapeformsthesettingforthecampusoftheUniversityof Stirling and its distinctive outward facing slopes form the backdrop to Bridge of Allan. The majority of the area lies within the Western Ochils Local Landscape Area, of which it forms an integral part.


This area is included in Character Area 9: OCHIL HILLS Lowland Hills and Character Area 32: TEITH/FORTH/ALLAN Valley Fringe (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/

pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf).

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L12West Ochil Hill Fringe

Farmed Hill Fringe

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

Towards their south-western edge the Ochil Hills shelve downwards into the transitional moorland of Sheriff Muir (L19) before falling away into an area of strongly rolling and sloping farmland and woodland, which comprises this transitional hill fringe landscape. The western boundary is demarcated by the deeply incised Allan Water running between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, on the far side of which lies the Forth/Teith/Allan Valley Fringe (L13). Whilst the two landscapes share some characteristics they also form discrete areas in their own right.

The rolling and (sometimes steeply) sloping ground is overlaid with woodland, farmland, historicparkland,twogolfcourses,theresidentialareaofUpperBridgeofAllanandthe complex of buildings and open space that make up the university campus. To the south the steep rocky and largely wooded outcrop of Abbey Craig rises dramatically fromtheflatcarseandgainsaddedheightfromthepresenceoftheWallaceMonument- so although Abbey Craig is much lower than the hill summits, together with the tower it creates a complementary focal point and landmark feature

Extensive and diverse tree and woodland cover is a key feature of this landscape, sheltering and defining areas of open ground and contributing significantly tobiodiversity and the recreational and scenic resource. Kippenrait Glen Site of Special ScientificInterestlieslargelywithinthislandscape,alongatributaryoftheAllanWater.InadditionWolf’sHoleQuarry,ontheedgeoftheBridgeofAllanMinetheWoods,isa nationally important Geological Conservation Review Site. There are two inventory designed landscapes (KippenrossandAirthreyCastle),aconservationarea (UpperBridge of Allan) and many listed buildings.

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The main through route is the B998, cutting between Abbey Craig and the university campus to link Causewayhead and the Hillfoots. Elsewhere minor roads, farm tracks and a good network of recreational footpaths allow ease of access from adjacent settlements to the hill fringe. Abbey Craig and the Wallace Monument are readily accessible to the public and receive many visitors each year.

Outstanding and varied panoramic outward views - to Stirling town and castle, the Forth Valley and the surrounding uplands, alternating with more introverted views where landform and/or tree cover close in. Views to this landscape are as important as views from within, forming an attractive backdrop to Bridge of Allan and foreground to views of the Ochils. Abbey Craig and the Wallace Monument are often seen together with Stirling Castle, standing sentinel either side of the River Forth and creating a strong sense of place and local identity.

Settlement Pattern

TheresidentialareaofUpperBridgeofAllanliesonthelowersouthernslopesofthislandscape. It comprises, a mix of 19th and 20th century properties (many listed) lying in well-treed gardens and streets, giving the suburbs a strongly wooded character. Some housing is also found on the slopes above Causewayhead. This landscape also contains the landmark building of the Wallace Monument and extensive areas of built development at the university and associated Innovation Park, although in external views the buildings are only prominent from higher ground/viewpoints (e.g. Wallace Monument and Drumbrae above Bridge of Allan.)

Outwith these urbanized areas, settlement largely comprises a few scattered farmsteads and houses. Some steadings have been converted/extended to multiple units, including a development on the south-east edge of Dunblane

Two mansion houses, Kippenross House and Airthrey Castle (now part of the university campus) lie within important designed landscapes and there are a number of nationally and locally important archaeological features/sites, evidence of a long history of human activity and settlement in this landscape.

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Farmed Hill Fringe

Summary

• Relatively small but important transitional landscape where the Ochil Hills descend to meet the Allan Water and carse north of Stirling. Natural features are at a smaller scale and landform and land cover are more varied than in the main hill mass

• Rolling ground and outward facing slopes overlaid with a diverse and complex mix of extensive woodland, farmland, parkland and areas of built development.

• Landscape makes an important contribution to the setting and character of the UniversityofStirling,BridgeofAllan,Causewayheadandsouth-eastDunblane.

• Many areas/features have high natural and cultural heritage value - some are of national importance.

• Highly accessible landscape via a good network of paths and tracks.• Outward facing slopes and the Abbey Craig/Wallace Monument are important

features in key external views towards the Ochils and from viewpoints that take in both Stirling Castle and the hills.

• The special landscape and scenic qualities of the area are recognized by a local landscape designation.

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• Development pressure on the edges of Bridge of Allan and south-east Dunblane.• Housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to multiple-

unit residential use.• StirlingUniversitycontinuestoevolveandgrow.Along-termdevelopmentplanisin

place and subject to periodic review.• Associated business and research developments at the Innovation Park, with several

plots still to be developed.• Renewal and expansion of visitor facilities and car park below the Wallace Monument,

with potential pressure for additional parking.• Some areas of commercial conifers at or nearing harvesting; including some highly

visible areas such as at the entrance to Kippenross House off the B8033 Perth Road in the centre of Dunblane.

• Some previously neglected semi-natural woodland has been brought back into management, with potential for other areas to be enhanced.

• Potential area of interest for wind turbines.• Potential mitigation measures associated with the Beauly Denny Power Line.

Particular sensitivities within the West Ochil Hill Fringe Landscape:

• This landscape comprises part of the distinctive hill edges of the Western Ochil Hills, with an important role in the wider composition of the Forth Valley west of Stirling. Particular sensitivity to development or land-use change that could compromise physical integrity and views of these edges and skylines. As well as important public viewpoints within the character area there are many external locations with good views towards the hill fringe and Ochil Hills (e.g. Stirling Castle Esplanade and major transport routes as well as a large number of residential properties) and a large viewing population.

• Role and importance of the landscape to the setting of Stirling University, Causewayhead, Bridge of Allan and the south-eastern edge of Dunblane.

• Safeguarding the setting of historic mansion houses and associated designed

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Farmed Hill Fringe

landscapes and the setting of the Wallace Monument Grade A Listed Building.



• Valuable network of functionally connected woodland habitats covers much of the landscape. Work has already been undertaken by Stirling Council and Stirling University to bring some woodland back into active management, but otherenhancement is possible. There is also some potential to expand the native woodland network, subject to safeguarding key areas of open space and outward views.



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L13Forth/Teith/Allan Valley FringeFarmed Valley Fringe

Arollingtractofestate-influencedfarmlandandwoodlandelevatedaboveanddefinedby the adjacent river valleys of the Allan Water, Forth and Teith and, to the north, the minor watercourse of the Ardoch Burn. The strategic nature of the location is reinforced by the presence of important local and regional routes. The south-eastern section of this landscape forms the Keir Local Landscape Area.


This area forms broadly conforms to Character Area 32: FORTH/TEITH/ALLAN Valley Fringe (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf). However, land east of the Allan Water valley between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, is here included in L12 West Ochil Hill Fringe.

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L13Forth/Teith/Allan Valley Fringe

Farmed Valley Fringe

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

Towards their south-western edge the Ochil Hills shelve downwards into the transitional moorland of Sherrif Muir (L19) before falling away into an area of rolling and sloping farmland and woodland, which are here separated into the West Ochil Hill Fringe (L12) and Forth/Teith/Allan Valley Fringe (L13). The eastern boundary is demarcated by the deeply incised valley of the Allan Water, on the far side of which lies the West Ochil Hill Fringe (L12). Whilst the two landscapes share some characteristics they also form discrete areas in their own right.

Forth/Teith/AllansitselevatedabovetheflatexpanseoftheCarseofStirling(L2),fromwhichit isseparatedbywell-definedslopes.TheB824runseasttowestonaridgeof higher ground, linking the Keir Roundabout to Doune. The land rolls away from this road, south towards the carse and north towards the Ardoch Burn - which in turn demarcates a boundary between this more gently rolling agricultural landscape and the strongly undulating and hummocky ground of the Lower Braes of Doune. To the north-east this landscape abuts the Allan Water Valley

Keir Estate has had amarked influence upon this area. Although the house itselfis largely hidden from view its associated buildings, gateways and other landscape features are very visible and distinctive elements. The policy and associated farm woodlands are especially important, sheltering and defining large arable fieldsbounded by clipped hedgerows of beech and hawthorn and well-maintained stone walls.AfurtherdistinctivelandmarkfeatureisLecroptKirk-occupyingafine,elevatedposition looking across the carse to Stirling Castle. The landscape immediately around Keir House and between Bridge of Allan and Dunbalne is designated as the Keir Local Landscape Area.

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The south-east corner of this landscape is bisected by the northern termination of the M9 motorway and route of the A9 trunk road. Other well used local roads also run through the landscape, linking Bridge of Allan, Dunblane and Doune. The gently rolling landform and wealth of tree cover help to absorb and lessen the disruptive effects of these busy roads to some extent, although less so around Keir Roundabout itself. There is a good network of paths east of the M9/A9 with ease of access from Bridge of Allan and Dunblane – although the motorway, trunk road and Keir Estate boundary wallmakepedestrianaccesstothewestdifficult.

Belts of trees and/or dips locally limit or enclose views, but the elevated position allows some excellent outward vistas, notably: towards Sheriffmuir and the western Ochils; towards the Braes of Doune and the Braes of Doune windfarm; towards Stirling Castle and carse; outstanding panoramic views from the David Stirling Memorial and from the area around Craigarnhall. In external views from the Forth Valley, Stirling and Bridge of Allan, the southern edge of this landscape forms an attractive backdrop to the north-eastern edge of the carse. Views from Dunblane are more limited, because of its valley location and screening afforded by trees.

Settlement Pattern

Farmsteads and a few houses are scattered regularly throughout the area, often set off the public roads at the end of access tracks. There are also building groups, lodges and farms historically associated with Keir Estate.

The south-western suburbs of Dunblane have extended onto the north-eastern edge of this landscape character area. These largely comprise relatively modern developments. Several small groups of houses on the outskirts of Bridge of Allan also fall just within this landscape. Pressure for further expansion on the edges of both settlements into this (and other adjacent landscapes) is intense.

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Summary

• Keir Estate designed landscape establishes core high-quality landscape character, reinforced by local landscape designation

• Rollinglandformoverlaidbysmalltomedium-scalefieldpatternwithgoodnetworkof hedges, shelterbelts and small woodlands imparting a diversity of colour and texture to the landscape.

• Transitional links in character to Braes of Doune and carseland further enhance landscape diversity on margins.

• The landscape sits at a point of transition – between the lowland Carse of Stirling and more highland Strath Allan, creating a ‘gateway’ feel travelling north or south. Strategic geographic location is expressed/reinforced by the presence of several regionally and locally important routes.

• Marked contrast, and some tension, between busy activity along the road corridors and areas of quiet seclusion.



• Intense pressure for development on the edges of Bridge of Allan and Dunblane. • Planning Permission in Principle granted for a golf course in the Park of Keir area. • Housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to

multiple-unit residential use.• Some areas of commercial conifers at or nearing harvesting; including some

highly visible areas such as north of Keir Roundabout. • Potential area of interest for wind turbines.

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Particular sensitivities within the Forth/Teith/Allan Valley Fringe Landscape:

• Man made elements of a scale or nature that are at odds with the small to medium scale of the rolling farmed and wooded landscape. Prominent buildings or structures that interrupt the skyline viewed from the carse or compete with the local landmark feature of Lecropt Church are particular sensitivities.

• Safeguarding the setting of important designed landscape and associated buildings/features. Existing character vulnerable to change through decay or loss of key traditional features.

• Role and importance of the landscape in maintaining the settings of and distinction between Bridge of Allan and Dunblane. Buildings or other structuresinprominentlocationswhichbeginto‘infill’theopenrurallandscapebetween the settlements of Bridge of Allan and Dunblane of particular concern. High standards to be applied to the siting, scale and design of the Park of Keir golf course to avoid adverse effects on the setting of either settlement, or the overall character and integrity of adjacent inventory designed landscapes (Keir and Kippenross) or of the Keir Local Landscape Area.

• Cumulative effects of development eroding the character and quality of the landscape and ‘suburbanising’ valued countryside: Acceptance of development potential at Park of Keir increases the sensitivity of the remaining undeveloped landscape to larger-scale development or cumulative effects of smaller developments, especially in the east/A9 corridor. Risk of harmful landscapeandvisualeffectsiftraffic,associatedinfrastructureclutterandsignagecontinue to increase.

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• Safeguard and enhance the network of functionally connected woodland habitats that covers much of the south-eastern part of the landscape. Potential to expand the native woodland network, subject to safeguarding key areas of open space and outward views.



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L14Forth/Teith Valley FringeFarmed Valley Fringe

A broad spur of undulating land extending eastwards from the Menteith Hills separates the valley of the River Teith to the north from the wide Carse of Forth to the south. The south facing slopes of this spur comprise the Forth/Teith Farmed Valley Fringe, a broad tract of rolling farmland elevated above and generally sloping towards the Carse of Stirling.


The eastern part of this landscape comprises the southern section of Character Area 31: FORTH/TEITH Valley Fringe (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/

publications/review/123.pdf) The rest of Character Area 31, falling away northwards from the ridge crest towards the River Teith, is here included in the ’Teith Valley’ description.

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L14Forth/Teith Valley Fringe


However, an additional tract of land west of the B822, extending north to Lennieston Muir and west to the A811/national park boundary, is not included in any published national landscape character assessment. It was not included in the Central Region Assessment and falls outwith Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Landscape Assessment.

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LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

A transitional landscape of generally subdued relief, although the land climbs higher in the west towards the Menteith Hills. Minor burns wind through the lower slopes to feed into larger watercourses. Several small waterbodies are absorbed by the rolling landform and enhance diversity.

The central ridge of higher ground is dominated by larger-scale forestry, particularly in the north-west on Lennieston Muir, edged in parts by patches of scrub vegetation. Scatteredgorseclumpsandpost-and-wire fencesdelineatefieldsofpasture,whichgive way to mixed grassland and arable crops with clipped hawthorn hedges across lower slopes and adjacent to roads. This transition in character between high and low groundisalsoreflectedeasttowest;withlargermoreopenfieldsbelowLenniestonMuirforestry,becomingmoresettledanddiverse,withsmallerfields,trees,woodsandshelterbelts in the east. Hedgerow trees are a strong feature in some areas.

The majority of public roads run east to west across the lower slopes, with many access tracks leading off to individual farms and houses. However, from Thornhill the B822 rises up and over the ridge, giving access to the Teith Valley and Callander. Good network of core footpaths in the immediate vicinity of Thornhill.

Many outward views towards the Carse and/or surrounding hills, giving a feeling of ‘openness’, although locally pockets of more contained land and/or views do occur, creating an intimate character and sense of shelter or enclosure. Outstanding and extensive views south from parts of Thornhill and the A837 between Thornhill and Ruskie. In external views from the carse and rising ground to the south this landscape reads as a ridge, the crest of which appears as a skyline or intermediate horizon in front of thedistinctivehill edges to thenorth (UamhBheagandUpperBraesofDoune including the Braes of Doune Windfarm), depending upon the elevation of the viewpoint.


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Settlement Pattern

The historic planned village of Thornhill and groups of properties at Blairdrummond and Blairhoyle, are the main concentrations of population, all located on the southern edge of the area and mainly traditional in style.

Elsewhere settlement is well dispersed. Scattered farmsteads and houses are found throughout the area, except on the highest, most exposed slopes. Dwellings are generally set back from the road at the end of private tracks, although houses are occasionally located next to public roads. Buildings often carefully positioned to maximize the south facing aspect, making some properties quite prominent when viewed from the wider landscape; however, the scale and form of development is generally well suited to the local landform and softened/ integrated by the use of planting.

Summary

• Slight elevation and change in landcover establishes important visual separation between the Forth carselands and Teith Valley. Road pattern on lower ground andforestedcrestreinforceoverallconfigurationoflandform

• Forestryandpastureinthenorthandwestgivewaytosmaller,enclosedfieldsand some arable cultivation with small woods and shelterbelts to the south and east,wheretheinfluenceofnearbyestatesisevident.

• Rolling landform and tree cover create some pockets of concealed ground, but in general the landscape has good visual connectivity with areas to the east, south and west, and it forms an integral part of the wider composition of the Forth Valley west of Stirling.



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• Forestry on higher ground at or near harvesting stage. Restocking offers opportunities to improve age and species diversity, biodiversity value and edges.

• Some poorly maintained fences and stone walls in more marginal areas.• New housing on the edges of Thornhill.• New housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to

multiple-unit residential use.• Area of interest for wind turbines, including larger machines on higher ground.• Potential area of interest for tourism related developments because of proximity

to the national park • Potential area for expansion of mixed and/or native broadleaf woodland.

Particular sensitivities within the Forth/Teith Valley Fringe Landscape:

• Much of the landscape is inter-visible with other landscapes and key viewpoints. Longer-distance views should be taken into account when assessing larger-scale development proposals or land use changes.

• Developments that impinge on the ridge line in key views need very special consideration. As already noted this appears as a skyline or intermediate horizon depending on the elevation of the viewpoint. (It should be noted that very tall structures on the ridgeline are also likely to be visible from and impact upon the character of the Teith Valley landscape to the north.)

• Role and importance of the landscape in the setting of Thornhill. The village form has a strong relationship to the landform and this should be respected and reinforced. In addition development or land-use change that may detract from key views in (e.g. to landmark buildings) and out require very careful assessment.


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• Safeguard scenic and nature conservation value of small wetlands and associated scrub and, in particular, the prime nature conservation value of Loch Watston Site ofSpecialScientific.

• Ensure restructuring of areas of commercial forestry addresses issues of unsympathetic margins and lack of visual diversity and biodiversity.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to manage and enhance small-scale pattern of hedgerow trees, woods and shelterbelts on lower ground.

• Good potential to enhance and expand native woodland network throughout the area, subject to securing an appropriate balance with open space and safeguarding valuable open habitats and important outward views.

• Supportmanagementandrestorationofexistingstonedykefieldboundaries.• Tree planting is associated with many existing properties. If new development

can’t be sited to relate well with existing planting, then new planting should normally be provided and adequate space must be available for this.



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L15Forth/Kippen Muir Valley FringeFarmed Valley Fringe

This narrow valley fringe of well-tended farmland forms a transition between the carse and moorland plateau of Kippen Muir. The rounded, fertile slopes are incised by small streams, forming frequent indentations along the sweeping valley edge. A long history offarmingandhumanoccupationonthese‘dryfields’hasshapedthelandscapewesee today.


ThisareabroadlyconformstoCharacterArea34:FORTH/KIPPENMUIRValleyFringe(Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH review No. 123, 1999, http://

www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf).

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L15Forth/Kippen Muir Valley Fringe


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

Elevated above and sloping towards the carse, the fertile, well-drained soils of this areahave longbeenfarmed.Fieldboundariesaredefinedbypostandwire fencesand/or hawthorn hedges. The small, incised stream valleys frequently contain and are emphasized by trees, scrub or strips of broadleaf woodland. These, together with frequent hedgerow and avenue trees, small mixed shelterbelts and farm woodlands give an attractive, well-wooded feel to the landscape, especially to the east, where theinfluenceofpoliciesandestatesisalsostronger.Thesetreesandwoodsarealsoimportant for biodiversity and woodland in Arnprior Glen is designated as a Site of SpecialScientificInterest.Thecharacteroftheareachangessomewhatastheslopeslevel off onto themoorland to the south - with arable fields givingway to roughergrazing and patches of gorse with rushy grasses in poorly drained areas.

The A811 skirts the northern edge of this landscape and the B822 and B8037 give access to Kippen. In addition several tracks and minor roads run perpendicular to the slopes, serving farms and linking the carse and higher ground. Some routes near settlements are designated core paths, with key longer rotes recognized as ‘countryside’ paths.

This landscape possesses qualities of both ‘shelter’, derived from the higher ground to thesouthandsmall scaleof fieldenclosures,hedgerowsand treeplanting;and‘prospect’, with open views across the carse and to the uplands beyond. Locally pockets of more contained land and/or views do occur, creating an intimate character and sense of enclosure. In many external views from the carse and rising ground on the other side of the valley, this landscape reads as foreground to higher land to the south - Kippen Muir and the Southern Hills beyond.

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L15Forth/Kippen Muir Valley FringeFarmed Valley Fringe

Settlement Pattern

The long-established village of Buchlyvie and hamlet of Arnprior lie on the very northern edge of this landscape, straddling the A811. To the east is the large village of Kippen, perched on the valley slope and enjoying panoramic views. The historic village has expanded considerably in recent years and Kippen remains an important local centre.

Elsewhere within this landscape settlement comprises dispersed traditional farmsteads and houses, becoming less frequent and more widely spaced to the west. Dwellings are generally set back from the road at the end of private tracks - sometimes well up on the slope, making some properties quite prominent when viewed from the wider landscape; however, the scale and form of development is generally well suited to the local topography and softened/ integrated by the use of planting.

Summary:

• Productive agricultural landscape in long-standing cultivation.• Fieldboundarieswelldefinedbyhedgerows,treesandshelterbelts,especiallyin

the east.• Enhanced by attractive long-established small settlements and scattered, well-

kept farmsteads and houses. • Rolling landform and tree cover create some pockets of concealed ground, but in

general the landscape has good visual connectivity with areas to the east, north and west; and it forms an integral part of the wider composition of the Forth Valley west of Stirling from a number of key viewpoints.



• New housing on the edges of Buchlyvie and Kippen, with pressure for further expansion.

• Somedeclineandlossoffieldboundaryhedgerowsandtrees.

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L15Forth/Kippen Muir Valley Fringe



• Area of interest for small to medium scale wind turbines.• Potential for enhancement and expansion of semi-natural woodland.

Particular sensitivities within the Forth/Kippen Muir Valley Fringe Landscape:

• Capacity to absorb change is limited by strong agricultural character and importance of retaining key elements such as hedgerows, trees and small woods.

• In addition much of the landscape is inter-visible with other landscapes and key viewpoints. These longer-distance views need careful consideration when assessing larger-scale development proposals or land use changes.

• There are particular sensitivities with regard to large-scale developments and to large/tall structures impinging on skyline and, potentially, adjacent distinctive hill edges.

• Role and importance of the landscape in the setting of Kippen. Development or land-use change that may detract from key views in (e.g. to landmark buildings) and out require very careful assessment.


• Safeguard prime natural heritage value of Arnprior Glen of Special ScientificInterest.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to manage and enhance existingpatternofsmallwoods,shelterbeltsandavenues.Significantpotentialtoexpand native woodland network within this landscape.

• Make the most of opportunities to plant new hawthorn hedgerows and hedgerow trees to reinforce landscape character and provide important boundary habitats.

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L16Gargunnock Hill FringeFarmed Hill Fringe

A belt of strongly rolling slopes, sweeping from the base of the seemingly towering Gargunnock Hills down to the carse. The slopes are crossed and deeply incised by many burns originating in the hills to the south, forming a landscape of interwoven undulating groundswells richly patterned with fields, hedgerows, trees, woods andsettlement. Most of this landscape lies within the Southern Hills Local Landscape Area.


ThisareabroadlyconformstoCharacterArea16:GARGUNNOCK/FINTRYHillFringe(Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf) However, the more level, open and marginal farmland between the base of the Fintry Hills and B822, south-west of Kippen, is here included in the ’Kippen Muir’ description.

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L16Gargunnock Hill Fringe

Farmed Hill Fringe

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

A transitional landscape between the dramatic, seemingly high hills to the south and the flat expanse of productive carse farmland to the north. Rolling slopes shelvetowards the carse, open crests and ridges alternating with areas of enclosed ground between undulating groundswells and in small incised valleys.

A proliferation of policy landscapes across the hill-slopes has produced a landscape of great visual diversity and prosperity. Marginal grazing and some small (occasionally discordant) areas of plantation woodland on the boundary with the hill scarps quickly givesway to lushpastureland intermingledwith fields of crops, definedby linesofmature trees, curving shelterbelts, clipped hedges, fence lines and stone walls. The farmland is well wooded, particularly to the east where medium-scale spruce and larch plantations integrate with broad-leaf/semi-natural woods and streamside planting. Avenue, parkland and policy trees are associated with old mansion houses

Several minor roads and tracks provide access to the village of Gargunnock and to the farms and mansion houses scattered across the slopes. Good network of recreational routes.

Views southwards are dominated by the overshadowing bulk of the Gargunnock Hills. Lookingnorthopenpanoramasalternatewithmoreconfinedandintimateviews,wherethe rolling landform and woods create enclosure. Notwithstanding the presence of some ‘hidden’ ground this landscape as a whole, and the outer edges in particular, has a high level of visual connectivity with the wider landscape. It is important in foreground in views to the southern Hills from the carse and beyond.

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L16Gargunnock Hill FringeFarmed Hill Fringe

Settlement Pattern

With the exception of the historic village of Gargunnock, climbing the slopes above the carse, the settlement pattern is predominantly one of dispersed traditional farms and houses - although occasional groupings of houses occur. Marked presence of a number of historic mansion houses. (The parkland and policies at Gargunnock House are included in the national inventory of designed landscapes.)

Summary

• · A prosperous, well-tended and human-scale landscape with a strong historic tradition of settlement, including mansion houses with associated policies and parkland

• · Rolling topography and mix of arable and pastureland interlocking attractively with a woodland and tree cover

• · Hedges, trees and woodlands of varying kinds are prominent features - including avenues and important areas of semi-natural woodland

• · These characteristics and features combine to create a richly patterned and diverse landscape with a changing sense of prospect and shelter.

• · Strong visual inter-relationship between towering stepped hill escarpments and these lower foot slopes.

• · This landscape plays an important role within the Southern Hills Local Landscape Area.



• New housing on the edges of Gargunnock. • Some commercial plantations at or near harvesting stage. Restocking offers

opportunities to improve age and species diversity, biodiversity value and edges.• New housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to

multiple-unit residential use.

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L16Gargunnock Hill Fringe

Farmed Hill Fringe

• Potential area for expansion of mixed and/or native broadleaf woodland.• Area of interest for small to medium-scale wind turbines.• Potential area of interest for run-of-river/micro hydro schemes.

Particular sensitivities within the Gargunnock Hill Fringe Landscape:

Relatively robust existing framework of ‘structural’ landscape features provides strong basis for reinforcement and an ability to absorb a moderate level of change. However:

• This landscape comprises part of the distinctive hill edges of the Southern Hills, with an important role in the wider composition of the Forth Valley west of Stirling. Particular sensitivity to larger-scale development or land-use change that could compromise physical integrity and views of these edges.

• Hedgerows, trees and small woods form key elements of this landscape and should be safeguarded/enhanced.

• Safeguard the setting of historic mansion houses and associated parkland/policies. Existing character vulnerable to change through decay or loss of key traditional features


• As older commercial plantations reach harvesting, ensure restructuring/restocking improvesbiodiversity, landscape ‘fit’ and,whereappropriate, access. Ina fewhigh-level areas this may include not restocking and reverting to grazing.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to manage and enhance small-scale pattern of hedgerow trees, woods and shelterbelts on lower ground. Potential to enhance and expand native woodland network, subject to safeguarding important open habitats and local viewpoints.



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L17East Touch Hill FringeFarmed Hill Fringe

To the east the Touch Hills drop down towards the Forth Valley and become less unified, with the rock banding becoming fragmented forming a strongly rolling anddiverse hill fringe area, extending from Gillies Hill, Lewis Hill and Loch Coulter towards Stirling and the M9 and including the Touch Estate.


ThisareabroadlyconformswithCharacterArea15:EASTTOUCHFRINGEHillFringe(Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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L17East Touch Hill Fringe

Farmed Hill Fringe

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

The eastern boundary of the Touch Hills is demarcated by the rugged, crag-edged outcrops of Scout Head and Lewis Hill. These mark the edge of a broad swathe of strongly rolling, occasionally hummocky farmland, which forms a transition in height andformfromwesttoeastbetweentheTouchHillsandwideflatvalleyoftheForthEstuary. The area is bounded to the east by the line of the M9 and to the south by the administrative boundary with Falkirk. Most of this landscape character area lies within the Southern Hills Local Landscape Area and there are a number of national natural and cultural heritage designations also.

Largefieldsofroughandsemi-improvedgrassland,stippledwithbrackenortussocksof rush across rockier or damper areas, and divided by neglected stone walls and gorse scrub,boundtheperimeteroftheTouchHills.Elsewhere,fieldsofimprovedpastureand occasional arable land are the dominant farmland, sheltered and contained by woodland.Fieldboundariesonthelowerslopesandestatelandscapesaredefinedbyclipped beech and hawthorn hedges, low stone walls and post and wire fences.

The mixed and broad-leaf woods and curving lines of shelterbelts, tree clumps and roadside and avenue trees which characterize the policy landscapes dispersed across the hill slopes create a notably well-wooded character. (Touch is a nationally important designed landscape.) Larger expanses of coniferous forestry and semi-natural woodlanddefinethestrikingtopographyofthedoleritehillsofGilliesHillandLewisHill.

The south-east corner of the landscape is bisected by the parallel routes of the M80 and A872. Smaller farm and estate roads and tracks wind across the slopes, often following detours due to the impeding motorway routes. Good network of core and other footpaths through the countryside and at Plean Country Park. North Third Reservoir also has a recreational role.

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Visual characteristics and relationships within the landscape are complex. Views from North Third and the hill plateau to the west reveal the unexpectedly rugged edges of Lewis Hill and Sauchie Craigs rising above the reservoir. Many views from the Lewis Hill and North Third looking west now include the dynamic element of large turbines at Craigengelt and, to a lesser extent, Earlsburn windfarms. On descending the rolling slopes views open and close, controlled by landform and tree cover. From the east of the area views of the busy and populous Forth Valley are more frequent.

In external views from the north and east the wooded and farmed slopes of this area often form an important backdrop to Stirling Old Town and Castle; although they also contain ‘dead ground’, where land form and tree cover conceal areas from view, creating ‘secret’ enclaves

Settlement Pattern

The large interwar mining village of Plean lies on the south-eastern edge of this landscape and former spinning and weaving village of Cambusbarron nestles on the north-east boundary. Both settlements have expanded beyond their historic origins in modern times.

Elsewhere and at lower levels a frequent scattering of farmsteads and historic estate houses dot the rolling slopes, with small groupings of houses at Auchenbowie and Old Cultenhove/Swanswater. On the higher land and boundary with the hills farmsteads are more sparse and scattered.

Summary

• Transitional landscape with rugged, elevated craggy outcrops of dolerite above stronglyrollingpronouncedhillsslopingmoregentlytotheForthValleyfloodplain.Rough and semi-improved grassland with gorse scrub on higher ground gives way to improved pasture with some arable at lower levels. High levels and diversity of woodland and tree cover.

• At lower levels the landscape is relatively well settled and well served with minor

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Farmed Hill Fringe

roads,tracksandpaths.Traditionalestatesandpolicieshaveastronginfluencethroughout the area.

• Attractive intimate character derived from complex mosaic of rolling landform, woodsandfarmland.Despite thepresenceof themotorwaysand infiltrationofother urban and industrial elements towards its eastern and western edges, the landscape for the most part still has a quiet and in places secluded air. Popular recreation area for local people.

• Much of this landscape forms an integral part of the Southern Hills Local Landscape Area.



• Built development on the edges of Plean and Cambusbarron.• Location for proposed new settlement (Durrieshill) including major infrastructure,

housing and commercial development etc. • New housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to

multiple-unit residential use.• Some neglect of stone walls and hedgerows.• Pressure on traditional estates for development of buildings and grounds.• Potential pressure for further expansion of hard rock quarrying along the dolerite

outcrop.• Potential for further recreational routes and uses, which in some cases may

generateadditionalvehicletrafficandparkingissues.• Potential area of interest for wind turbines, including larger machines. The

presence of windfarms in the adjacent landscape character area has already had some effects on this landscape, particularly in the Lewis Hill/North Third area.

• Potential area of interest for run-of-river/micro hydro schemes.

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Particular sensitivities within the East Touch Hill Fringe Landscape:

This landscape has variable capacity to absorb change, related to landform, land cover and visual sensitivity. Particular consideration should be given to:• Safeguarding the physical integrity and views of key skylines and distinctive

hill edges or important geological and landform features. • Erosion of rural character and distinct identity on the edges of existing

settlements - the cumulative effects of new infrastructure and smaller developments are as important as larger scale developments.

• Role of the landscape as a backdrop to the setting of Stirling and the Castle.• Safeguarding the setting of historic mansion houses and associated

parkland/policies. • The Craigengelt and Earlsburn WIndfarms lie in an adjacent character

area, but are distinctive features from a number of viewpoints within this landscape. Additional wind energy development in this or adjacent landscapes could cause visual complexity and confusion.

With regard to the proposed Durrieshill Major Growth Area and approved housing area at Pleanbank Farm: It is essential that a landscape-led approach is taken to masterplanning and long-term investment is provided for the creation, implementation and maintenance of new high quality landscapes within and adjacent to the new settlement areas.

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Farmed Hill Fringe


• Significant potential for area to make positive contribution to enhancement/expansion of the wider Stirling Green Network

• SafeguardprimenaturalheritagevalueoftheSitesofScientificInterest.• Safeguard and enhance/extend the valuable network of functionally connected

woodland habitats, between Scout Head, Gillies Hill and Lewis Hill, which lie part within this landscape and part in the Fintry, Gargunnock & Touch Hills (L28)


• Promote continued mix of broadleaves and native tree species in new planting schemes, emphasizing diversity of types and enhance hedges, shelterbelts and copsesonfieldboundaries.



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L18Sauchenford/Castleton Valley FringeFarmed Valley Fringe

A small area of productive rolling farmland lying between the slopes of the East Touch FringeandtheflatvalleyflooroftheCarseEastofStirling;extendingfromtheedgeof Bannockburn in the west to the Castleton area in the east. Notwithstanding the presence of Cowie and its associated industrial area and several busy roads this is still a predominantly agricultural area and has a long history of farming and settlement.


ThisareaformspartofLandscapeCharacterUnitA:EASTTOUCHFRINGELowlandHill Fringes (Tyldesley, D & Associates 1999, Stirling to Grangemouth Landscape Character Assessment, SNH review No. 124 http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/

review/124.pdf).

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L18Sauchenford/Castleton Valley Fringe


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

An area of ancient raised beach, this landscape of undulating low ridges and dips lies between the foot slopes of the Touch Hills (L17), roughly demarcated by the M9, andtheflatexpanseofthecarseeastofStirling(L1).Theedgeoftheraisedbeachis clearly evident as the farmland descends steeply towards the carse on its north-eastern boundary.

The farmland ispredominantly improvedpasture,givingway toarablefieldson theouter edge of the raised beach and rougher grazing near Castleton. Fields are medium tolargeinscale,definedbypostandwirefencesandsometimeslowclippedhedgesand stone walls. Small plantations, woods and shelterbelts occur, particularly in the east of the area, but tree cover is much less than in the East Touch Fringe. There is a large area of rougher, scrub vegetation on the area west of Cowie, known as Berry Hills.

The presence of urban and industrial elements is more marked than on the East Touch Fringe, and some landscape features appear more degraded and suffering from decline, especially near busy roads and the edges of Cowie. The proposed Beauly-Denny overhead power line will introduce large new pylons into the landscape east of Cowie - although some of the smaller existing pylons, crossing the area near Sauchenford, would be dismantled

The landscape includes the busy route corridor of the A9, the main Edinburgh/Glasgow to Stirling railway line and the locally important B9124. Smaller roads and tracks criss-cross the area, providing access to farms and often also serving as core footpaths, of which there is a good network. The small commercial area lying east of the A91 at Greenyardscontinuestogrowincrementallyandwouldbenefitfromacomprehensivemaster plan to provide a properly established and maintained landscape framework.

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Views from the ridges and above the carse are generally open and extensive and include, (depending upon exact location), views of the Touch Hill Fringe around Plean, Stirling Town and Castle and the mountains beyond and the dramatic Ochil scarp. On lower ground landform and/or trees tend to channel or shorten views and man-madefeaturessuchasroads,pylons,largerbuildingsandthefactoryfluesatCowie,often become more prominent focal points. In external views parts of this landscape are visually prominent and sensitive – primarily on its outer slopes/edges facing Bannockburn and the carse.

Settlement Pattern

The large former pit village of Cowie lies on the northern edge of the landscape. It is also the site of a large factory complex manufacturing engineered wood products. The village is conspicuous in views from higher ground but tends to be partially screened bylandformfromtheForthValley,althoughthefactoryfluesandplumesareseenovera wide area. Another much smaller area of relativley modern settlement is Suchenford Small Holdings, lying between the A9 and M9. Elsewhere settlement is generally dispersed farms and scattered houses or small groups of houses. Bannockburn Hospital occupies a prominent site on the rising ground south-east of the A91.

There is a long history of settlement in this landscape, evidenced by prehistoric archaeological finds and the remains of fortified tower houses. Remains of relictdesigned landscape associated with Bannockburn House.

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Summary

• Distinctive farmed landscape of ridges and dips, transitional in land-use and characterbetweentheEastTouchFringeandthebroad,flatcarseeastofStirling.

• Predominantly still agricultural in character, but urban and industrial elements includingbusy road trafficaresometimesprominent features,especially in theCowie - Plean - Bannockburn triangle.

• These man-made elements and presence of semi-derelict or underused ground in and around Cowie detract from the quality and experience of the landscape in localized areas.

• · Accessible landscape close to settlement and with a good network of tracks and paths.

• · Western and northern outward facing edges visually sensitive.



• Intense pressure for residential and commercial development south and east of Bannockburn extends east of the A91 into this landscape, for example at Greenyards.

• Potential redevelopment of Bannockburn Hospital site.• Residential expansion in Cowie, with further expansion likely - of employment and

infrastructure as well as housing.• New housing in the countryside.• Alterations and re-alignments to road infrastructure.• Proposed Beauly to Denny power line will introduce higher pylon towers into

areas that are currently free of power lines, although the existing line to the west will be removed.

• Area of interest for wind turbines in all size classes.

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Particular sensitivities within the Sauchenford/Castleton Valley Fringe Landscape:

Landscape framework has potential to absorb some carefully scaled, sensitively sited and designed development. However sensitivities exist in respect of:

• Visually sensitive western and northern outer edges and skylines.• Cumulative effects of development. The risk of attrition of rural character

and suburbanization is particularly high close to settlements and along the road corridors. New infrastructure such as overhead powerlines or associated with roads, need as much consideration as built development.

Cowie: It is essential that a landscape-led approach is taken to masterplanning any significant expansion of the village and that long-term investment is made in thecreation, implementation and maintenance of new high quality landscapes within and adjacent to new settlement areas.

Bannockburn Hospital: Any redevelopment proposals should include a generous and high quality landscape framework.

Greenyards commercial area, east of the A91:Thisareawouldbenefitsignificantlyfrom a comprehensive master plan to provide a properly established and maintained landscape structure.

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• Significant potential for area to make positive contribution to enhancement/expansion of the Stirling Green Network.

• Safeguard and enhance valuable networks of functionally connected grassland and woodland habitats, in the Greenyards area and south of Cowie respectively.

• Outwith important open habitats develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to manage and enhance small-scale pattern of woods and shelterbelts. Potential to enhance and expand native woodland network.

• Ensure appropriately scaled tree planting is provided and maintained for new built development.

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L19Sheriff MuirMoorland Hill Fringe

Towards their south-western edge the Ochil Hills level out to form the small but distinct area of broadly shelving farmed and forested moorland of Sheriff Muir. Crossed by two minor roads this area is accessible on foot or by car from nearby urban areas, yet offers an experience of remoteness and isolation.


This area is included within Character Area 9: OCHIL HILLS (Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, 1999, http://www.snh.org.uk/

pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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L19Sheriff Muir

Moorland Hill Fringe

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

Sheriffmuir Road, a single-track road leading north from Bridge of Allan towards Blackford, broadly separates the hill plateau from the less elevated and/or gentler topography and transitional landscape of Sheriff Muir. A second minor road running near the northern edge of the area climbs from Dunblane to the Sheriffmuir Inn. These routes provide easy access by foot or by car from nearby urban areas. Networks of functionally connected habitats, especially of grassland, cover much of the muir. ( Much of the moor is included in Historic Scotland’s battlefield inventory (Battle ofSheriffmuir 1715). The more rugged southern section of Sheriff Muir is also included within the Western Ochils Local Landscape Area.

The area is given over to a mix of rough and improved grazing and woodland, with a little arable production on more level and sheltered ground in the west towards Dunblane. Fields are large with low stone walls along roadsides with post and wire fences generally used for internal boundaries.

A number of small conifer blocks and shelterbelts are scattered across the area, with more extensive commercial plantations, of limited age and species diversity, along the boundary between Sheriff Muir and upper slopes of the Allan Water Valley. Several small reservoirs nestle into the landscape and a pylon line crosses the moorland, roughly following the line of Sheriffmuir Road, before cutting down the Ochil escarpment above Logie Kirk. The route of the proposed Beauly to Denny 400kV overhead transmission also crosses the area – part on a new alignment and with higher pylon towers.

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Lying away from the outward facing edges of the hills and views to the busy Forth Valley much of the muir has a sense of remoteness and isolation, despite proximity to settlement. There are outstanding views to the Braes of Doune, Ben Ledi and beyond from the Sheriffmuir Road north of Sheriffmuir Inn, whilst views south-west take in the Touch/Gargunnock Hills. Large-scale wind-energy developments are now features in both of these scenes. External views from lower ground are generally at some distance and Sheriff Muir is usually seen together with areas of adjacent landscape - but discernible because of its different topography, textures and colours.

Settlement Pattern

A few scattered farms and houses, primarily accessed of the minor road from Dunblane.

Summary

• Large to medium scale transitional landscape of farmed moorland and woodland. • Although of no great geographic extent and easily accessed from populous areas

it has a strong sense of place and feeling of remoteness.• Contrasting visual experiences and perceptions of exposure and shelter are

provided by the juxtaposition of elevated and long-distance panoramic views over a large geographic area and more contained views, near woodland and in folds of land.

• Site of the Battle of Sheriffmuir.• Forms and integral part of the Western Ochils Local Landscape Area. Although

only part of the muir is currently included there is a case for review of the boundary to include additional land.

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L19Sheriff Muir




• Changes to farm support mechanisms impact on stocking levels in marginal areas, which in turn affect land cover and biodiversity.

• Areas of commercial woodland are reaching maturity, and some harvesting has already begun. Restocking offers opportunities to improve age and species diversity, biodiversity value and edges. The possibility of leaving some of the battlefieldunplantedhasbeenraised,althoughsomeformofwoodlandislikelytobe restored over the majority of area currently under trees.

• Degradation of some landscape features, including loss of tree and shelterbelts through lack of management and old stone boundary walls falling into disrepair.

• The line of the proposed Beauly to Denny 400kV overhead transmission runs acrossthemuirandbattlefieldsite,beforedescendingontothecarsenearLogie.

• Potential area of interest for new housing in the countryside.• Potential area of interest for wind turbines.• Potential mitigation measures associated with the Beauly Denny Power Line.

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Particular sensitivities within the Sheriffmuir Landscape:

• This landscape comprises part of the distinctive hill edges of the Western Ochil Hills, with an important role in the wider composition of the Forth Valley west of Stirling. Particular sensitivity to development or land-use change that could compromise physical integrity and views of these edges and skylines.

• Presence of the site of the Battle of Sheriffmuir and important grassland habitats heighten sensitivity to land-use changes that introduce strong enclosure.

• Windfarm development in other landscapes has had effects on the experience of this landscape.Untilrecentlytherehavebeenmarkeddifferencesin the degree to which human activity and built developments have been visible from Ochil summits, Sheriff Muir and associated hill fringe landscapes. Wind turbines within other landscapes are increasingly visible from all of these areas, eroding the distinction between views from interior and edge areas and reducing the feeling of remoteness and isolation in some locations, including parts of Sheriff Muir.

• Additional built structures could compromise the remaining sense of remoteness. New infrastructure and signage along or close to roads as well as new metalled roads/tracks in open areas need as much care and consideration as new buildings.

• Presence of operational windfarms at Burnfoot and Greenknowes in the hills to the east. These developments have their own established identity and relationship to the landscape (appreciated from viewpoints within neighbouring local authorities), which need to be respected and maintained. Consequently StirlingCouncil’swindenergypolicyidentifiestheOchilHillswithinitsboundaries,

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L19Sheriff Muir


includingSheriffMuir,asanareaofsignificantprotection.


• Valuable networks of functionally connected grassland across much of the muir, with some areas of woodland and wetland habitats also. Networks should be safeguarded and enhanced. Any proposals to extend one habitat at the expense of another need very careful consideration.


• The extent and character of restocking of felled areas that have an important role in understanding the Battle of Sheriffmuir need careful consideration.

• Supportmanagementandrestorationofstonedykefieldboundaries.

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L20Braes of DouneMoorland Hill Fringe

BelowthehillsofUamhBheagandBeinnOdhar,whichlieonthenorthernperimeterof the plan area, the ground gradually levels out to form a broad, rolling expanse of moorland before slowly shelving southwards to the River Teith. The horizon line is broken by a smoothly swelling mantle of till deposits which results in the distinctive hummocks of the step-like transitional hill fringes known as the Braes of Doune. Large-scale conifer forests spread across considerable parts of the upper slopes, within a matrix of moorland grasses, and heather. To the south and west commercial forestry is still important, but becomes more fragmented and interspersed with other types of woodland and patches of improved pasture.


Thisareabroadlyconforms toCharacterArea12:BRAESOFDOUNEHillFringes(Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, 1999, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

126

L20Braes of Doune


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

The Braes of Doune represent an important transitional landscape between the open hillgroundatUamhBheagandthewell-tendedpoliciesandfarmlandtothesouth.

A proliferation of small burns originating in the hills to the north gradually coalesce and zigzag across the Braes to ultimately feed into the River Teith or Allan Water; the stronger burns occasionally slicing into the lower slopes through narrow valleys with roundedsidesandpebbledfloors.A few isolatedminor lochansnestlewithinslopedepressions.Thelargest,LochMahaick,isasiteofSpecialScientificInterestandofparticular importance for over-wintering geese.

Subtleties of terrain on the upper slopes are often masked by the large areas of conifer forest, particularly from the main public viewpoints, which are all at some distance. In these longer distance views the higher areas appear as broad, shelving slopes overlain withalarge-scalepatternofforestandmoorland.Wheretheyexistfieldenclosuresontheupperslopesarelargeorverylarge,definedbylowstonewallsorpostandwirefencing.

Lower areas are distinctively hummocky and land cover more diverse. The strongly rolling terrain is emphasized by a pattern of mixed woodland on higher points and steep slopeswithopenareasprimarilygivenoverpasture.There isastrongwell-definedpatternofsmallerfields,againdemarcatedbystonewallsoragriculturalfencing,withoccasional low, clipped hedgerows.

Minor roads and farm tracks wind through the rolling lower slopes serving farms and houses. Some are also used as long-distance footpaths, linking with routes and settlements in the Teith Valley and, via the open hills, with Braco.

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Settlement Pattern

A very few, widely scattered, farmsteads and huddled outbuildings spread across the upper slopes, serviced by small winding roads and tracks. Settlement becomes more frequent at lower levels, with a mix of farmsteads, cottages and houses – although these are often hidden by the hummocky landforms. The influence of traditionalestates is also marked, with large houses, estate buildings, polices and parkland at Argaty, Kilbryde Castle and Cromlix.

Summary

• Strong transitional character, with a gradual yet marked change from largely uninhabited open rough pasture and large scale forestry plantations on shelving higherslopestowardsmorediverseandsmallerscalefieldsandwoodlandswithsettlement on the strongly undulating lower slopes.

• Forming a key, if unassuming, element in views from outside the area, especially from Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, parts of Dunblane and Sheriffmuir.

128

L20Braes of Doune




• Harvesting of mature conifer plantations has begun and will continue for some years. This work offers an opportunity to restructure the woodlands when restocking,toenhancetheirbiodiversityvalueandlandscapefit.

• Plans to reduce the input of fertilisers etc during restocking may bring the tree-line for commercial forestry down-slope.

• Loss of tree and shelterbelts through lack of management outwith managed forest area.

• Oldstonefieldboundariesfallingintodisrepairand/orreplacementwithpostandwire fencing.

• Run-of-river/micro hydro schemes.• Potential area of interest for wind energy developments.• Potential for enhancement and expansion of native woodland.

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Particular sensitivities within the Braes of Doune Landscape:

Upper Braes of Doune:• The Upper Braes of Doune and higher open hill land in the Uamh Bheag

Landscape (L26) together play an important role in the overall landscape composition of the Forth Valley and with their extensive visual envelope and large viewing populations, have a high level of visual sensitivity.

• Grounddisturbance,resultingforexamplefromcutandfillworks,cantakemany years to restore/recover because of the nature of the upland soils and harsh climate. Particular care is needed to protect and conserve high carbon/peat soils and to avoid pollution of watercourses

• The presence of an operational windfarm close by renders the Upper Braes of Doune very sensitive to additional wind energy developments. Despite its nametheBraesofDouneWindfarmactuallyliesintheUamhBheagcharacterarea, but it is a distinctive feature from many viewpoints that also include the upper Braes of Doune landscape. Additional wind energy development on the UpperBraesofDouneoradjacentlandscapescouldcausevisualcomplexityandconfusion and impact adversely on the existing windfarm and the distinctive hill edges.

Lower Braes of Doune• At lower levels the undulating landform and existing diversity of land cover

create a relatively robust framework, potentially able to accommodate and absorb a degree of appropriately sited and scaled development or land-use change.

• Larger scale wind energy developments (large single turbines, clusters or windfarms) are likely to exceed this capacity - again, because of the presence of the large operational windfarm on the higher slopes and the need to safeguard its distinct identity and avoid an uncontrolled spread of development and/or visual complexity. Even the capacity for medium scale machines requires careful assessment.

• Safeguarding the setting of historic mansion houses and associated policies. Existing character vulnerable to change through decay or loss of key traditional features

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L20Braes of Doune



• Safeguard prime conservation value of Loch Mahaick Site of Special ScientificInterest. The value of Loch Mahaick for geese would be improved by restoring to its original extent and providing additional open ground on the loch margins.

• Ensure restructuring of the commercial forest area addresses issues of unsympathetic margins and lack of visual diversity and biodiversity.

• Safeguard areas of mixed and native broadleaves. Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to enhance and expand native woodland network.

• Promote management and restoration of stone dykes and encourage reinstatement in place of post and wire fences

• Promote agreements for sensitive management of semi-natural grassland and moorland communities.

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L21Bat a’CharchelMoorland Hill Fringe

Thewesternendof theForthValley isdefinedandcontainedby the risinggroundof Loch Ard Forest. Farming and settlement on the lower, favourable areas quickly give way to marginal agriculture, open moorland and extensive areas of commercial forestry. Most of this area lies within the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park but a small area, to the south-west of West Flanders Moss and north of the A811 from Ballat towards Drymen, lies within the Stirling Local Development Plan area. This transitionallandscape,focusedonBata’Charchel,helpsdefinebutisdistinctfromthecarse to the north-east and rolling valley farmland of the Lower Endrick Water to the south.



132

L21Bat a’Charchel


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

From the high point of Bat a’Charchel (230m), the land falls away north-east to West Flanders Moss, east to the rolling farmland and valley fringe landscapes that lie below Ballindalloch Muir and south to the Lower Endrick Valley. A number of burns drain across the slopes,most eventually find their way into the KeltyWater/River Forthalthough a few run south to the Endrick Water. In location and character the landscape is transitional between adjacent hill areas with their large areas of both open and forested ground, and settled, well-tended valley landscapes.

A mosaic of rough and semi-improved grazing on higher ground gives way to part of anextensivecommercialforestryarea(anoutlieroftheQueenElizabethForestPark)above the Park of Auchentroig. Field enclosures on this higher ground are large or very large and bounded by post and wire fences. Forest harvesting is opening up areas and views hidden for many years and whilst restocking will return much of the land to productive woodland, its character and appearance should be somewhat different, with greater age, structural and textural diversity.

Farmsteads are all on the less exposed lower slopes, with their better soils and scattered small areas of mixed woodland and shelterbelts. Field sizes are small to medium scale on the southern and south-eastern slopes, with low clipped hedgerows and hedgerow trees marked features on some farms; but are generally larger and more opentotheeastandnorth.TheGartfarranWoods(SiteofSpecialScientificInterest)are also found on lower ground at the boundary of this landscape with Flanders Moss West (L3).

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The area is largely bounded by public roads. Two trunk roads - the A81 (Glasgow to Aberfoyle)andA811(StirlingtoDrymen)-definetheeasternandsouthernboundariesrespectively. For much of its length the western boundary with the national park is demarcated by the road linking Drymen and Gartmore. Although only classed as a minor road it is well used by local people and tourists and forms part of the National Cycle Network. The road gives access to Bat a’Charchel itself and to a Forestry Commission car park near Drymen Road Cottage. The minor road linking Ward Toll and Dalmary in the north of the area is the only road that crosses the landscape. There are no core footpaths but there are paths and rides in the forestry area.

Many of the lower slopes are convex in shape, consequently views into the landscape from the A811 and parts of the A81 are generally short, and don’t reveal the higher moorland and forestry areas. These are seen from the Drymen/Gartmore Road, which also gives access to Bat a’Charchel itself, an important local viewpoint with outstanding panoramic views. The radio mast forms a (somewhat discordant) local landmark, but the nearby pylon line is a more visually intrusive linear feature. In external views the Bata’Charchellandscapegenerallyreadsasrisinggroundforming/definingtheedgesof adjacent river valleys. Sitting at the junction of several hill and valley areas this small character area looks towards, and is in turn seen from, a number of different landscapes.

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L21Bat a’Charchel


Settlement Pattern

Settlement is confined to the lower southandeast facing slopeswithanumberofscattered houses and farms, generally accessed via tracks off the trunk roads. A single farm, Caigievern, sits higher on the slopes, south of Bat a’Charchel and straddling the boundary with the national park. A small cluster of farms and houses also sits at Dalmary, near the Kelty Water and national park boundary. A small garden centre with holiday lodges is located at Ward Toll.

Summary

• Strong transitional character. Medium to large scale, relatively simple landscape at upper levels, extending seamlessly into the forest and moorland landscapes within the national park. Sense of remoteness and isolation traveling on the Drymen Road. More diverse on the farmed and settled lower slopes, where the smaller scale features more closely resemble those of the adjacent rolling valley farmland areas.

• ‘Pivotal’ geographic location at the junction of a number of hill and valley landscapes. Intervisible with a very wide area.

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• Commercial forestry at or nearing harvesting. Area covered by the Loch Ard Long-Term Forest Design Plan and restructuring at restocking should improve biodiversityandlandscape‘fit’.

• Area of interest for wind energy developments of all scales, including larger turbines and windfarms.

• A power line cuts along the western edge of the area, just below Bat a’Charchel and its mast. It forms a visually intrusive feature in some views.

• (At lower levels) new housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to multiple-unit residential use.

• Already an area with some provision for recreation and tourism, with potential interest in further development because of proximity to the national park.

• Potential area of interest for run-off river/micro hydro schemes.• Potential area for enhancement/expansion of semi-natural woodland.

Particular sensitivities within the Bat a’Charchel Landscape:

• Area formsan integralpartof the rimofhigherground thatdefinesandconfines the farwesternendof theCarseofForth. Particular sensitivity to development or land-use change that could compromise physical integrity and views of these edges and skylines.

• Landscape has a ‘pivotal’ geographic location and is intervisible over a wide area.

• (At upper levels) ground disturbance, resulting for example from cut and fillworks,cantakemanyyearstorestore/recoverbecauseofthenatureofthe upland soils and harsh climate. Particular care is needed to protect and conserve high carbon/peat soils and to avoid pollution of watercourses.

• Additional built structures could compromise the perception of remoteness in higher areas. New infrastructure and signage along or close to roads as well as new metalled roads/tracks in open areas need as much care and consideration as new buildings.


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L21Bat a’Charchel



• Safeguard prime nature conservation value of Gartfarran Woods, Site of Special ScientificInterest.

• Ensure restructuring of the productive forest continues to address issues of unsympathetic margins and lack of visual diversity and biodiversity. Potential to enhance and expand native woodland network, particularly where relict areas of broadleaves are found and along margins and watercourses when plantations are restructured.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to manage and extend small-scale pattern of shelterbelts, woods, hedgerows and hedgerow trees on lower slopes.

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L22Cameron Muir/ Stockie MuirMoorland Hill Fringe

The crag-rimmed volcanic plateau of Auchineden Hill (357m), located at the far south-west corner of the plan area, dominates this character area. The land shelves gradually northwards to form elevated moorland perched above the Blane Water, from which the Muirs are separated by steep valley slopes punctuated by several distinctive knolls. Faintly incised stream courses run across the rolling slopes, feeding into larger tributaries of the Blane and Endrick Waters, which occasionally break up into falls as they descend the steep valley sides. The simplicity of the open moorland contrasts with the more diverse woodlands and rocky hillocks that fragment the eastern boundary with Strath Blane.


ThisareabroadlyconformstoCharacterArea13:CAMERONMUIR/STOCKIEMUIRHill Fringes (Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, 1999, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

138

L22Cameron Muir/ Stockie Muir


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

North of the volcanic plateau of Auchineden Hill the ground shelves gradually northwards as the underlying bedrock changes into softer, lower-lying sedimentary deposits. Between Cameron and Stockie Muirs, in the vicinity of Aucheneck House, the generally subdued relief has a number of locally prominent hummocky features formed by glacial deposits from the last ice-age; they include one of the best examples of an end moraine ridge in the region. These features are of national importance for our understanding of the glacial history and associated landscape change in this part of Scotland and are designated as a Geological Conservation Review Site. Another notable geological feature, and popular destination for walkers, is the dramatic rocky cleft of the Whangie, to the north-west of Auchineden Hill.

Areas of mixed shelterbelts and broad-leaf woodland are found on the lower slopes and burnsides, generally under estate management for mixed agricultural and sporting use. More extensive coniferous forest is found on the higher ground around Auchineden Hill and to the west, occasionally disrupting the skyline. Below the western slopes of Auchineden Hill two reservoirs lie close together, absorbed within the undulating terrain and craggy extrusions of the Kilpatrick Hills.

The open land is made up of a varied mosaic of improved and unimproved grassland, poor rough grassland and heather moorland, with scattered clumps of scrubby birch and gorse. Post and wire fences, or more rarely, low stone walls, edge the minor tracks andfieldboundaries.

TheQueen’s View, a popular (but rather unattractive) car park close to theA809,provides dramatic views across Strath Blane to the Campsies, the Forth Carselands and hills north of the Highland Boundary Fault. For the more energetic the car park providesaccesstotheWhangieandAuchinedenHill,whichalsooffersfineviews.

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Settlement Pattern

Settlement is predominantly located towards the eastern edge of the area, close to the Blane Valley and generally accessed off the A809, between Glasgow and Drymen. Scattered houses and farms are also found in the vicinity of Auchineden House and Aucheneck House.

Summary

• A transitional landscape between Kilpatrick Hills to the west and settled farmed valleys to the north and east

• The simplicity of the open, undulating moorland contrasts with the rocky hillocks, incised streams and areas of mixed woodland which mark the eastern boundary with Strath Blane.

• During the late 20th C some moorland slopes in the vicinity of Auchineden Hill were planted to commercial forestry, with recent proposals to extend the planting.

• The landscape includes glacial deposition landforms of national importance.• The steep mass of the Campsie Fells dominates views, which open out

across the moorland towards the broad swathe of the Carse of Forth.• Proximity to the Glasgow conurbation has led to the popularity of high ground

aroundandincludingtheQueen’sViewarea,asavisitorattraction.




• RecreationalpressuresatQueen’sViewandWhangie.• Commercial forestry plantations in the vicinity of Auchineden Hill. Some

of the older areas have unattractive edges, lack diversity and extend onto prominent skylines. Continued interest in new planting.

L22Cameron Muir/ Stockie MuirMoorland Hill Fringe

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• Potential area for some expansion of mixed and/or native broadleaf woodland building on existing resource.

• Area of interest for wind turbines.• Potential area of interest for run-of-river/micro hydro schemes.

Particular sensitivities within the Cameron Muir & Stockie Muir Landscape:

Relatively robust landscape framework has potential to absorb some carefully scaled, sensitively sited and designed development. However sensitivities exist in respect of:

• The area south and south-west of Finnich Glen comprise part of the distinctive hill edges containing and defining Strath Blane. Particular sensitivity to development or land-use change that could compromise physical integrity and views of these edges and skylines or important geological and landform features.

• Loss of heather moorland habitat and protection of carbon-rich soils.• Area valued for sense of remoteness while being easily accessed from

urban areas.• Protecting visually sensitive zones forming the setting of important

viewpoints and their immediate visual envelopes from intrusive development features.



• Avoid new large-scale forestry blocks on visually sensitive hill land.• Opportunities for sensitive extension of mixed and broadleaf woodland on lower

slopes and up stream courses.• Supportmanagementandrestorationofexistingstonedykefieldboundaries.

L22Cameron Muir/ Stockie Muir


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L23MugdockMoorland Hill Fringe

This strongly rolling landscape lies above the Blane Water Valley between the looming bulk of the Campsie Fells to the north and the Kilpatrick Hills on the outskirts of Glasgow to the south. The varied landforms are overlaid by a range of habitat types and land management regimes, resulting in a landscape of great diversity concentrated within a relatively small area. The core of the area is occupied by Mugdock Country Park. Views southwards towards the Glasgow conurbation surprise in revealing the nearness of such a scale of settlement to a landscape of such rural character.


ThisareabroadlyconformstoCharacterArea14:MUGDOCKHillFringes(seeCentralRegion Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, 1999, http://www.snh.

org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

142

L23Mugdock


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

This landscape extends from the Carbeth Estate in the west, through Mugdock estate itself to the boundary with Craigmaddie Estate in the east, and also includes more open areas of moorland and semi-improved pasture land, overlooking Strath Blane. The underlying volcanic bedrock is intermittently exposed to form occasional mounds or hummocks, such as those close to Loch Ardinning or, more dramatically, the steep scarp slopes at the perimeter of Mugdock Wood. A number of small water bodies fed by minor streams are scattered throughout the area, occasionally enclosed by rockier slopingground,atothertimessitedwithindepressionsinflatterexpansesofterrain.

Land cover is very diverse, reflecting both the varied landform and geology and afrequent incidence of designed parkland and policies, for example at Mugdock, Carbeth and Craigend. Woodland cover includes large swathes of coniferous forest; oak and alder woods to the south and west; the unusual wall-rimmed clumps of mature beech and Scots pine which cap the rocky knolls near the A81, and a variety of policy shelter belts and tree clumps. Expanses of rough grass and heather moorland are characterized by patches of gorse scrub and studded with Scots pine birch, willow etc. Somemoorlandhasbeenimprovedtoprovidegrazinginrelativelylarge,openfieldsdefinedby lowstonewallsorpost-andwire-fencing. Incontrastboundariesaroundestate grounds and settlement include higher stone walls and/or clipped hedging.

Thereareseveralsemi-naturalhabitatsofdesignatedasSitesofSpecialScientificInterest: Mugdock Wood; Drumbrock Loch Meadows; Craigallian Marshes and Carbeth Loch. In addition, Loch Ardinning is a local nature reserve, notable for its aquatic plants, wet woodland and birds. This landscape also has high value for recreation, centred on Mugdock Country Park, but including local and long-distance footpaths across a much wider area.

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Several rural roads, tracks and footpaths, including part of the West Highland Way, wind through the undulating landform and the A81 cuts along the eastern edge of the Mugdock area, linking Glasgow and Strathblane. Two prominent pylon lines zig-zag across the moors and through the woods, forming a visually intrusive element in an otherwise diverse and attractive area. A former quarry north of loch Ardinning is now a landfillsite.Itwillbesomeyearsbeforethelandscaperestorationiscomplete.

Views from the Mugdock area in particular are dramatic, south over the Glasgow Conurbation and north to the Campsie Fells. Where the landscape is more folded and/or wooded landscape views are more restricted and introverted.

Settlement Pattern

Historically the large estate houses, together with their outbuildings, farms and lodges etc were the main form of settlement. (An early 20th Century complex of holiday huts at Carbeth Estate is distinctive yet incongruous in character, although now relatively well-integrated, and given Conservation Area status.)

Mugdock village, lying to the east of the country park, comprises a mix of older stone or rendered Georgian and Victorian houses and cottages, together with some more recent development. A scatter of large and well-dispersed farmsteads sits even further east ontheridge,commandingfineviewstothesouth.Inthemorerecentpast,individualand groups of houses have gradually climbed out of the Blane Valley onto the slopes ofDrumbrockMuir.Elsewherethepatternofsettlementislargelyconfinedtoscatteredfarms and occasional houses.

The whole area is designated as green belt, and contributes to the wider objectives of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Belt, established to control and direct development on the edges of Greater Glasgow. This designation has played a key role in maintaining the separate identities of Strathblane, Mugdock and Milngavie in the face of intense development pressure.

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L23Mugdock


Summary

• Varied land cover is superimposed on a strongly rolling landform, resulting in a complex and diverse landscape, concentrated within a relatively small area.

• Concentrationofoldestateshasastronginfluenceonlandscapefeaturesandcharacter.

• High proportion of diverse woodland cover contrasting with areas of more open moorland.

• Notable concentration of small water bodies and reservoirs.• Severalsemi-naturalhabitatsofnationalsignificancefornatureconservation.• Intimate character where views are enclosed by landform or trees. Strong contrast

where open, elevated land allows important panoramic outward views south over Glasgow and northward to the Campsie Fells.

• Important recreational area, drawing visitors from the local area and the city. Country Park at Mugdock and West Highland Way particular attractions.

• Intense development pressure because of proximity to Glasgow conurbation.

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• Intense pressure for housing and other development in the countryside. • Mugdock Country Park generates high visitor numbers. Potential pressure to

develop additional facilities.• Upgrading/replacementofCarbethhuts• Future felling and restructuring conifer plantations offers potential for improved

forest design and biodiversity value. • Potential for expansion of existing semi-natural woodland and when restructuring

commercial forests – subject to protecting important open habitats and views.• Landfilloperationsinformerquarry-potentialpressureforfurtherquarrying?• Potential area of interest for wind turbines.• Potential area of interest for run-of-river/micro hydro schemes.

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L23Mugdock


Particular sensitivities within the Mugdock Landscape:

Reliance of existing character on a complex balance of small-scale features renders the area sensitive to large-scale developments or land use changes and the cumulative effects of smaller developments:

• Particularly delicate balance exists between complex matrix of natural and developed features which must be considered carefully in any proposals for future change, in particular:

• Preventionoffurtherlossofwoodland • Scaleofdevelopmentmustbeinharmonywithexistinglandscapescale,

which is predominantly small/intimate. • Retentionofcharacterofimportantviews• This landscape comprises part of the distinctive hill edges containing and

definingStrathBlane. Particular sensitivity to development or land-use change that could compromise physical integrity and views of these edges and skylines.

• Safeguarding the setting of historic mansion houses and associated designed landscapes. Existing character vulnerable to change through decay or loss of key traditional features.


• SafeguardprimenaturalheritagevalueoftheSitesofScientificInterest.• There is some potential to expand the native woodland network; however,

proposals require careful assessment, implementation and monitoring to safeguard important open habitats and to protect small-scale landform.

• Encourage the management and eventual replacement of large specimens trees within estate policies.

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L24Kippen MuirMoorland Plateau

The open, gently rolling plateau of Kippen, Buchlyvie and Ballindalloch Muirs stretches north-westwards from the edge of the Fintry Hills. Bounded by and elevated above the narrow valley of the Endrick Water to the south and the broad carselands of the Forth Valley to the north, the overall impression is of a level horizon-line. The location, landform and dominance of low moorland vegetation all work together to create an open landscape with extensive views to and from adjoining hill masses and carseland. Kippen Muir itself is included within the Southern Hills Local Landscape Area.


Thisareabroadlyconforms toCharacterArea18:KIPPENMUIRLowlandPlateau(Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, 1999, http://

www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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L24Kippen Muir

Moorland Plateau

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

A relatively large-scale, simple landscape with a strong horizontal emphasis despite subtle undulations within the landform. In location and character it is transitional between adjacent open hill mass and settled, well-tended valley landscapes. The dominant land cover is a mosaic of heather and grass moorland, tending towards semi-improved grazing at the more settled, farmed borders of the plateau. Boggier rush-dappled ground marks the edges of watercourses and lines damper hollows. Two small lochans nestle within depressions on Kippen Muir. Two relatively large conifer plantations between Buchlyvie and Ballindalloch Muirs, with rather harsh and unsympathetic boundaries, interrupt the generally open landscape. Elsewhere woodlandisrestrictedtoafewsmallareas,shelterbeltsandnarrowfingersofwoodrising along burnsides on the outer edges of the plateau, although patches of gorse, scrubby birch, and in places old Scots pine, are scattered across the moorland. Balgair MeadowSiteofSpecialScientificInterestliesonthesouthernflankofBallindalloch/Balgair Muir. Boundaries, where they exist, are mainly post-and-wire fencing or stone walls.

The Kippen to Fintry road crosses the eastern end of the moorland, with a minor offshoot running north towards Arnprior. A well-used lay by and viewpoint is located close to the junction of these roads. A few other minor roads are found on Kippen Muir, serving scattered farmsteads, but no public roads penetrate Buchlyvie or Ballindalloch Muirs, although the A875 skirts the western tip of the area. There is some recreational use of the area - the Kippen Muir viewpoint on the B822 is a popular place for cars to stop and a number of recognized footpaths cross the moorland.

The elevated position and openness of the landscape result in outward views tending to be panoramic and uninterrupted. There are outstanding views from the vicinity of the ‘Kippen Viewpoint’ and on descending south into the Middle Endrick Water Valley. In external views this landscape is important foreground in views to and from the Southern Hills and it forms an integral part of the wider composition of the Forth Valley west of Stirling.

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Settlement Pattern:

The moorland is predominantly free of settlement or roads away from the fringes. The majority of the few dispersed traditional farmsteads are found on Kippen Muir itself, accessed off the B822 or via tracks from the minor road that runs at the foot of the Fintry Hills. The village of Balfron lies close to the south-west boundary of this landscape.

Deserted farmsteads and the remains of lime kilns etc point to a time when the Kippen Muir landscape was more populated and productive, although the archaeological evidence is less frequent on Ballindalloch Muir.

Summary:

• Transitional landscape of relatively small extent. Shares characteristics with the openhills, butactive landmanagement ismoreevidentandshelterbelts, fieldboundaries and scattered farms create a less simple landscape.

• Dominance of unimproved land cover types, including important areas of grassland and peatland, birch scrub and small lochans; giving way to improved grazing with more trees on the slopes above the Forth Valley

• Predominantly free of settlement or road penetration away from fringes - although there are several villages close-by.

• The open and elevated character results in extensive uninterrupted views to and from adjoining carseland and hill masses, resulting in a high level of visual connectivity with the wider landscape.

• There is a strong sense of exposure and even remoteness - despite proximity to settlements and the relatively small extent of this landscape type. A ‘wild land’ quality persists, although it is somewhat reduced in areas where there are views of large wind turbines located in adjacent landscape character area.

• Kippen Muir itself plays an important role within the Southern Hills Local Landscape Area.

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L24Kippen Muir

Moorland Plateau




• Felling and restructuring of conifer plantations, which are nearing harvesting phase.

• Loss of landscape features because of lack of active management, e.g. replacement of tumbledown dykes with fencing.

• An area of interest for wind turbines in all size classes, because of exposure and relatively gentle slopes.

• Potential area of interest for new housing in the countryside - especially in more accessible parts of the moorland.

Particular sensitivities within the Kippen Muir Landscape:

• Open and extroverted visual character with extensive views to and from adjoining carselands and hill masses.

• This landscape comprises part of the distinctive hill edges of the Southern Hills, with an important role in the wider composition of the Forth Valley west of Stirling. Particular sensitivity to development or land-use change that could compromise physical integrity and views of these edges and skylines.

• Additional built structures could compromise the perception of remoteness. New infrastructure and signage along or close to roads as well as new metalled roads/tracks in open areas need as much care and consideration as new buildings.

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• Safeguard prime natural heritage value of the Balgair Meadow Site of Special ScientificInterest

• Encourage conservation and enhancement of semi-natural vegetation types and lochans. Some scope to expand native woodland along burn sides and edges of the muir, as long as this doesn’t compromise important open habitats or block important views.

• When existing commercial forestry blocks are harvested ensure re-design in line with modern multi-purpose forestry objectives. Restructuring should address issues of unsympathetic margins and lack of visual diversity and biodiversity.

• Any proposals to expand commercial forestry need very careful consideration in respect of impact on landscape and biodiversity.

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L24Kippen Muir

Moorland Plateau

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L25Ochil HillsLowland Hills

Most of the Ochil Hills, extending north and east of Stirling, lie in the Clackmannanshire and Perth and Kinross local authority areas, but the dramatic, westernmost edge of the range extends into the plan area. The dominant feature of the hills is the striking contrast between the abrupt, extremely steep southern scarp and the broad, level plain of the lower Devon River/River Forth below. On their north-western edge, the hills merge with the gentler topography of Sheriff Muir.


This area largely conforms to Character Area 9: OCHIL HILLS Lowland Hills (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf). However, two peripheral landscapes which differ somewhat from the hill mass are here dealt with as local character areas in their own right - the West Ochil Hill Fringe (L12) and Sheriff Muir (L19).

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L25Ochil Hills

Lowland Hills

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

Thetightly-knithillplateau iscappedbysmooth, roundedtops,stronglyfissuredbythe deep cuts of minor watercourses. The stream courses of the upper plateau slopes converge and carve into the south-facing perimeter of the hills, to reach the adjacent valleyfloor.Theprecipitousslopesarebrokenthroughbynumerousrockyextrusions,furthercontrastingwiththesmoothadjoiningfields.ThefrontfaceofthehillbetweenSheriffmuir Road and Menstrie Burn, including Dumyat itself, contains geological features of national and international importance and is designated as a Geological Conservation Review Site. The whole area also lies within the Western Ochil Local Landscape Area.

Across the rolling upper hill summits, peaty ground and extensive stretches of grass and heather moorland are the dominant land cover, with a few localised areas of improved grazing on the periphery. A number of small, (largely) coniferous plantations and shelterbelts lie near the boundary of the hills with Sheriff Muir. They are of low species diversity and very geometric in form. On the south face of the hills semi-natural broadleaf woodland predominates: as a fringe on the lowest slopes around Blairlogie and more extensively on rising ground behind Logie Kirk (Yellowcraig Wood).

A single-track road leading northwards from Bridge of Allan separates the shelving slopes of Sheriff Muir from the hills. A minor road also snakes up the hill from Logie Kirk. Several tracks and walking routes penetrate the hill-mass, accessed from these minor roads or from the valley below. Dumyat itself is a popular walking destination and regionally important viewpoint.

Views out of this landscape are primarily from the roads, footpaths and tracks described above. There are important views to this landscape from the Stirling area and beyond. These include: Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument; a large number of residential properties, footpaths and local roads in the Stirling urban corridor and from settlements on the carse east of the city; recreational users in the Fintry, Gargunnock and Touch Hills; major roads such as A 84, A811, M9, A9, A91, A905, A907; other popular tourist routes such as B824 and the railway line.

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Settlement Pattern

The core hill area is uninhabited. A small number of houses and cottages are accessed off the minor road between Bridge of Allan and the Sheriff Muir Inn. The many remains of deserted farmsteads, shielings and sheep pens etc are reminders of when the area was used for summer grazing and temporary/seasonal settlement. (Refer to Menstrie Glen, a farming landscape near Stirling" RCAHMS 2001).

Summary

• Distinctive, large-scale topography of rounded upper slopes and hill summits with simple land cover, primarily of rolling grassy or peaty ridges and braes above dramaticdescenttoadjacentvalleyfloor“givingalandscapeexperiencewhichisunique in Scotland” (SNH Review No. 123).

• Absence of settlement except on extreme fringes and sense of remoteness in some areas – yet close to dense population, which encourages intensive recreational use, with associated land management problems.

• Views from the hills, in the vicinity of Dumyat in particular, are outstanding and highly valued by local people and visitors alike.

• Views to the hills are equally important and contribute to the setting of Bridge of AllanandStirlingUniversity.Wideviewingpopulation.

• Integral part of the Western Ochils Local Landscape Area in recognition of scenic and recreational importance of the landscape and its high natural and cultural heritage value.

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L25Ochil Hills

Lowland Hills




• Conifer blocks extending onto the lower slopes of the hill summits are nearing harvesting stage. If woodland is replanted, potential to improve boundaries and landscapefit.

• Proposed Beauly to Denny 400kV overhead transmission line will introduce higher pylon towers descending the scarp face through Yellowcraig Wood to Logie Kirk and across the valley to the River Forth. Potential mitigation measures associated with this project.

• Ease of recreational access will to continue to attract visitors - erosion adjacent to parking areas and footpaths already evident.


• Potential to enhance and expand areas of existing native woodland.• Potential pressure for new housing in the countryside because of accessible

location.• Potential area of interest for wind turbines.

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• Potential area of interest for run-of-river/micro hydro schemes.

Sensitivity to change:

• Developments or changes to land management that diminish the drama and perception of great scale or adversely affect distinctive hill edges or important geological and landform features on the southern escarpment: Location, geology and topography combine to make the Ochils, particularly the southern skyline (including Abbey Craig) and south facing slopes, one of the most visually sensitive areas in Scotland. Particular sensitivity to large scale or tall structures that interrupt the distinctive skyline or at the base of the scarp and plantingofopenslopesmaskingthefinedetailofrockoutcrops

• Additional built structures or man-made features/infrastructure (pipelines, power lines, fences and tracks etc) which compromise the perception of remoteness and isolation within the hill plateau areas.

• Presence of the Beauly to Denny 400kV overhead transmission line will potentially increase the sensitivity of the landscape to further change: If constructed as proposed the line will have a stronger presence in the landscape from the Cocksburn area, through Yellowcraig and onto the carse near Logie; diminishing some of the qualities of the area and potentially heightening sensitivity to further additional change.

• Grounddisturbanceonhigherareas,resultingforexamplefromcutandfillworks, can take a long time to restore/recover because of the nature of the upland soils and relatively harsh climate. Particular care needed to protect and conserve high carbon/peat soils and to avoid pollution of watercourses and reservoirs.

• Additional large man-made structures outwith the LLA could potentially encroach on panoramic views or affect the perception of scale and/or remoteness of the landscape. Particular areas of concern are on the carse at the base of the southern scarp and Abbey Craig and on the hill summits to the east of this landscape. (NOTE: Burnfoot and Greenknowes Windfarms are operational in the hills to the east. These developments have their own established identity and relationship to the landscape (appreciated from viewpoints within neighbouring local authorities), which need to be respected and maintained. Consequently

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L25Ochil Hills

Lowland Hills

StirlingCouncil’swindenergypolicyidentifiestheOchilHillswithinitsboundariesasanareaofsignificantprotection.)



• Safeguard and enhance valuable networks of functionally connected woodland, grassland and wetland habitats around Dumyat, Menstrie Glen and Loss Hill. There is potential to expand the native woodland network; however, proposals require careful assessment, implementation and monitoring to safeguard important open habitats and to protect the rocky knolls and landform features on the southern face of the hills.

• Ensure restructuring of small areas of commercial forestry addresses issues of unsympathetic margins and lack of visual diversity and biodiversity.

• Opportunities to manage and enhance small-scale pattern of shelterbelts around the north-west fringe.

• Supportmanagementandrestorationofstonedykefieldboundaries.

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L26UamhBheagLowland Hills

TothenorthoftheTeithValley,therollingBraesofDounegraduallygivewaytothepeaksofUamhBheag (664m) and Beinn Odhar (626m), which mark the northern boundary of the plan area. These hills are separated from the dramatic landscape of lochs and mountains to the north-west by the Highland Boundary Fault and are underlain by sedimentary rocks. The rounded hill-tops cap smooth and gentle southern slopes, which become more irregular and broken to their western extremity due to conglomerated outcrops of the Highland Boundary complex. The Braes of Doune Windfarm is located within this landscape and forms a strong visual focus in many views to the hills.

The western section of this landscape, adjacent the Loch Lomond & the Trossach National Park, forms theUamhBheagLocalLandscapeArea.


This area broadly conforms to Character Area 8: UAMH BHEAG Lowland Hills (Central RegionLandscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, 1999, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

Numerous small steams run southwards across the hill slopes, forming faint, visually unobtrusive incisions in the hillsides. In the west, above Callander, the larger streams aremore deeply incised, resulting inmore defined ridgeswith knobbly outcrops –whichcontrastwiththeotherwisesmoothprofileofthehills.

A blanket of near continuous peat clothes the hill-tops, gradually becoming fragmented and blending with rough grazing, stippled with bracken and long moorland grasses, on lower slopes. These areas form a regionally valuable network of functionally connected wetland habitats, covering much of the landscape - and extending onto the upper Braes of Doune.

As the hills merge with the Braes of Doune, a few large-scale coniferous plantations of spruce and larch occur, edged by thin drifts of birch along watercourses. Field boundaries are absent from the higher ground; low stone walls occasionally divide the largefieldsofthelowerslopesalongtheboundarywiththeBraesofDoune.

A very few farm tracks extend onto the lower hill ground, but quickly peter out. The exception is a track (and core footpath) in the in the far north-west corner of the area, which links the Keltie Water with Glen Artney. In addition, an extensive network of access tracks for the wind turbines has been created in recent years. A second core path makes use of these to provide a link between the Teith Valley and Braco.

Views out of this landscape are primarily from the footpaths/tracks described above. There are important views to this landscape from the Stirling area and beyond. These include: Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument; a large number of residential properties, footpaths and local roads in the Stirling urban corridor and from settlements on the south side of the Carse; recreational users in the Fintry, Gargunnock and Touch Hills, the Ochil Hills, Sheriffmuir and from popular peaks/viewpoints on the edge of the national park; major roads such as M9, A9 and A811; other popular tourist routes such as B822.

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Settlement Pattern

The hills themselves are entirely deserted of settlement. A few scattered farms and isolated cottages stop at the top edge of the Braes of Doune, just south of the open hill slopes. There are also a few farmsteads near the Keltie Water at the western boundary of the area with the national park. The current archaeological evidence for earliersettlementandfarmingabovethe300mcontourlineissparse,mainlyconfinedto a few shieling huts and sheep-folds along sheltered burnsides with a few cairns on exposed, outward looking hill tops or knolls.

Braes of Doune Windfarm:

The long, shallow southern slopes of the hills, with their simple, open, uninhabited characterandseemingheightandabsenceofhuman influence,onceset thisareaapart and were in contrast to the busy, populous Forth Valley.

However, the presence of the Braes of Doune Windfarm has changed this: the complex arrangement of turbines contrasts with the simplicity of the landform; the large turbines (100m ground to tip) provide a scale reference previously missing and diminishing the seeming isolation and scale of the hills themselves; whilst the movement of the turbine blades, clearly discernible in good weather, creates a strong visual focus. The windfarm is generally seen backclothed against the hillside, so that the turbines are highlightedbytheircolourandshapeor,alternatively,seeninprofileagainstthehillslope, when it appears to strongly contrast in form.

At present the windfarm occupies only a part of this landscape type and, notwithstanding its complex horizontal and vertical layout and awkward fit with the landform insome key views, is generally perceived to be a single feature, contained by but not overwhelming the hills. The original government approval was for 25 years and the longer-term presence of a windfarm is not yet certain. However, it is possible that additional turbines will be proposed.

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Summary

• Open, simple, large-scale character, accentuated by smooth, gently rounded landform and uniform semi-natural vegetation cover. With high nature conservation value.

• Absence of settlement or farm tracks except on extreme fringes.• The open hill areas form a backdrop and contrast with the more wooded character

of the adjoining Braes of Doune.• The hills help to contain and define important views outwith the landscape -

including nationally important viewpoints such as Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument and many locally enjoyed points and routes.

• The Braes of Doune Windfarm has introduced a complex, dynamic feature, which has changed, but does not (as yet) dominate this landscape.

• The western section of this landscape, adjacent the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs NationalPark,formstheUamhBheagLocalLandscapeArea.



• Construction of Braes of Doune windfarm, with potential interest in expansion• Changes to farm support mechanisms impact on stocking levels in marginal

areas, which in turn affect land cover and biodiversity.• Conifer blocks extending onto the lower slopes of the hills are nearing harvesting

stage.Ifwoodlandisreplanted,potentialtoimproveboundariesandlandscapefit.• Limited potential to expand areas of existing native woodland along watercourses.

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Particular sensitivities within the Uamh Bheag Landscape:

• The Uamh Bheag character unit together with the Upper Braes of Doune (L20) play an important role in the overall landscape composition of the Forth Valley and with their extensive visual envelope and large viewing populations, have a high level of visual sensitivity.

• A regionally valuable network of wetland habitats extends across much of this landscape unit.

• Grounddisturbance,resultingforexamplefromcutandfillworks,cantakemany years to restore/recover because of the nature of the upland soils and harsh climate. Particular care is needed to protect and conserve high carbon/peat soils (which cover most of the landscape unit) and to avoid pollution of watercourses.

• The presence of an operational windfarm within this landscape close by renders it very sensitive to additional wind energy developments. An additional windfarm would cause visual complexity and confusion and impact adversely on the existing windfarm and the distinctive hill edges. Any proposals to extend the current development would also need very careful consideration, as it may exacerbate existing siting and layout problems.

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• Safeguard and enhance the valuable network of wetland habitats that extend across much of the landscape.


• Avoid new large-scale forestry blocks on visually sensitive hill land, escarpments or foot slopes.

• Limited opportunities for sensitive extension of established native woodland on lower ground and up stream courses.


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L27Campsie FellsLowland Hills

The Campsie Fells form part of a long hill mass, extending from Dumbarton on the Clyde to Stirling in the east. High, bleak and largely uninhabited the Campsie Fells have their own distinct character and form a conspicuous and dramatic backdrop in views from surrounding lower areas, settlements and important route corridors. Several distinctive features also form important local landmarks, such as Dumgoyne Hill, the Corrie of Balglass and Dunmore Fort.


This area broadly conforms to Character Area 11: CAMPSIE FELLS (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

The Campsie Fells form the highest part of a larger hill-mass separating Glasgow and its associated industrial lowlands from the Forth Valley. The smooth rounded hill tops give way on their outward facing edges to dramatic ridges of rock and deep corries, above steep slopes, often furrowed by burns. Garloch Hill, Dumgoyne and many of the scarp features are designated Geological Conservation Review Sites - features of national and international importance representing some of the very best geological and geomorphological features of Britain. Some areas also have botanical interest and aredesignatedasSitesofSpecialScientificInterest.Thewholeareafallswtihinthewider Southern Hills Local Landscape Area.

There is a well-defined transitional area of shelving heather moorland below thenorthernedgeof thehills,where localisedestate influencesareevident and someareas of woodland present. Such transitional slopes and land use are largely lacking where the Fells tumble dramatically into Strath Blane (which separates the Fells from the Kilpatrick Hills to the west); and where the boundary between open hill and actively managed farmland/woods is very abrupt.

Blanket cover of peat and rough grassland, broken by patchy bracken on rockier slopes and clumps of rushes in damper depressions sweeps across the hill summits. This open landscape is interrupted in the east by an expanse of commercial conifers to one side of Gonachan Glen. Although the shape of the plantation respects the landform, its harsh boundaries and lack of diversity make it a discordant feature. Tree cover elsewhereisalmostentirelyconfinedtothelowerreachesofburnsandgulliesfringingthe hill mass – although sometimes of high nature conservation value, such as near the Spout of Ballagan. (The notable exception is another somewhat discordant conifer plantation, on the upper edge of the adjacent Ballikinrain Muir beneath Barniemore and Jock’s Cairn.)

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The hill mass is largely devoid of roads and tracks. The B822 skirts the easternmost perimeter of the hills. Elsewhere occasional tracks crawl up the lower slopes, one winding further into the hills through the Gonachan Glen forestry plantation and another serving the radar station at Holehead. Recognized footpaths access Dunmore Fort(aboveFintry)andDumgoyneHill(inthewest)andother, lessdefinedwalkingroutes exist, making little impact on the landscape but allowing recreational access and enjoyment of the hills.

The Campsie Fells typically appear very large in scale although the highest point in the hills, Earl’s Seat, is only 578m AOD. This is because there are few features on the hill tops or slopes, which would give a truer indication of scale; in addition the dramatic visual contrast between the hills and lower lying, more settled areas tends to exaggerate their height.

A popular recreational area, outward views for hill walkers are typically open and panoramic - although development of windfarms in adjacent upland landscapes has somewhat diminished the perception of remoteness from some viewpoints. Key views within the Fells (including glimpsed views of some of the Earlsburn Windfarm turbines) for non-walkers are from the B822/Crow Road.

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Settlement Pattern

The central and inaccessible parts of the hills are entirely uninhabited. There are a very few scattered farmsteads near to the B822.

Summary

• Simplicity of land use and land cover, together with dramatic landform and seeming large-scale mean that the Campsie Fells contrast markedly with adjacent lower,settledlandscapesand,withtheirdistinctiveprofile,formalandmarkandimportant backdrop in wider views - including from the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

• High natural heritage interest associated with scarp/corrie features and some gullies.

• Associated but distinct area of shelving heather moorland lies below the north facing hill scarps and corries.

• Uninhabited and largely devoid of obviously man-made features, especiallyaway from the Crow Road and in contrast to the hills to the east, with the Carron Reservoir, Earl’s Hill masts and 2 operational windfarms (with others proposed).

• The simple large-scale landscape composition, combined with lack of settlement creates a remote atmosphere. This sense of isolation combined with accessibility from urban areas makes this a popular area for hill walkers.

• Integral part of the wider Southern Hills Local Landscape Area and important tothesettingofStrathblane,Blanefield,KillearnandFintry, locatedinadjacentlandscapes.

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• Installation of weather radar and associated access track at Holehead.• Future felling and restructuring of Gonachan conifer plantation.• Potential for increase in recreational use and within an area that could be included

in a country/ regional park partnership, to enhance recreational management and development.

• Potential for expansion of native broadleaves in lower reaches of burns/gullies, on some lower slopes and when restructuring the Gonachan plantation.

• Potential area of interest for wind energy, including large-scale wind turbines and windfarms.

• Potential area of interest for run-off river/micro hydro schemes.

Particular sensitivities within the Campsie Fells Landscape:

• Development or changes to land management that could compromise the physical integrity and views of key skylines, distinctive hill edges and perception of their great scale and inaccessibility or important geological and landform features.

• ‘Wild land’ character and sense of remoteness and isolation. Less prevalent within the Southern Hills as a whole, because of modern communications and wind energy developments.

• Development tipping delicate balance of existing wind energy developments and landscape character/quality within the Southern Hills as a whole. Presence of windfarms in adjacent landscapes heightens sensitivity to additional wind energy development within the Campsie Fells.


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• Safeguard prime natural heritage value of the Sites of Scientific Interest andGeological Conservation Review Sites.

• Elsewhere, respect and where possible enhance the open, wild land character of the Fells. In particular safeguard, enhance/extend the valuable network of functionally connected wetland habitats, centred on Craigbarnet Muir and Inner Black Hill and just extending into the plan area between Earl’s Seat and Hart Hill.



• Opportunities for sensitive extension of established native woodland on lower ground and up stream courses.


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L28Fintry, Gargunnock & Touch HillsLowland Hills

A major outcrop of Lower Carboniferous lavas forms a substantial hill mass separating theCarseofForthfromthemorepopulouslowlandstothesouth.Theunifiedgroupof the Fintry, Gargunnock and Touch Hills forms the north-east corner of this mass and is separated from the rest of the hills by the valleys of the Endrick Water and River Carron. The dramatic northern escarpment of the hills forms a distinctive edge to theCarseofStirling.Thehill-massbecomeslessunified,therockbandingbecomingfragmented and interspersed with isolated dolerite outcrops, as the Touch Hills drop down towards the east,


This area broadly conforms to Character Area 10: FINTRY,GARGUNNOCKANDTOUCHHILLS(CentralRegionLandscapeCharacterAssessment,SNHReviewNo.123, 1999, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

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L28Fintry, Gargunnock & Touch Hills

Lowland Hills

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

The northern and western edges of the hills are dramatically defined by steep,precipitousslopes,toppedbyexposedhorizontallybandedlavaflows.Thesebasaltflowsarenotcheddeeplybyafault-linewhichdemarcatesthedivisionbetweentheFintry and Gargunnock Hills. The cliff-edged plateau reaches its peak, at 485m, above Black Craig in the Gargunnocks. Numerous streams and falls plunge sharply down the sheer, convex lower slopes, lending a markedly ribbed appearance to parts of the hill flanks.Many of the scarp features fromDoubleCraigs (aboveFintry) toScout Head (above Touch Estate), together with parts of Gillies Hill and Sauchie Craig are designated Geological Conservation Review sites - features of national and international importance representing some of the very best geological and geomorphological features of Britain. Some also have botanic interest.

South of the escarpment the hill-plateau is dominated by rolling expanses of uninterrupted grass and heather moorland, which gradually give way to semi-improved grassland across the lower ground of the Touch Hills, broken up by often dilapidated stone walling. Several small to medium scale reservoirs are concealed in dips and depressions. Larger coniferous blocks, of which there are several, are generally associated with the reservoirs towards the east and south of the hill-mass, creating amorebrokenlandscapediversifiedbythemixtureofmoorland,forestryandwater.The shapes and margins of some plantations are intrusive in some views. Infrequent groupings of birch and Scots pine contrast with the more monotonous commercial plantations. A few isolated, high-level conifer blocks have been established on the footslopes of the Gargunnock and Touch hills escarpments, interrupting the stark profilesofthelavacliffsandappearingasdiscordantfeatures.

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The north-western part of the hill mass was, until recently, largely devoid of roads except for a few tracks to farms, forestry, the masts and reservoirs. However, a new and extensive network of tracks has now been constructed to serve the Earlsburn Windfarm. To the east side of the hills, two single-track roads link Stirling to the Carron Valley, with a third serving the North Third Reservoir. There are a few more farm roads,reflectingthehigherincidenceofscatteredhousesandfarmsandanothernewnetwork of tracks has been constructed for the Craigengelt Windfarm. A number of recognized footpaths are found on the eastern edge of the hills and an old route from KippenMuirvia theSpoutofBallochleam.Other, lessdefinedwalkingroutesexist,making little impact on the landscape but allowing recreational access and enjoyment of the hills.

Settlement Pattern

The central and inaccessible parts of the hills are largely uninhabited; there are a very few houses on Cringate Muir, accessed from the minor road nearby, with more scattered farmsteads and houses on the lower ground near North Third Reservoir and south-west of Loch Coulter Reservoir.

Other Built Development/Infrastructure

A number of infrastructure developments have taken place in this landscape, which, because of their scale and nature, have impacted upon the character of the area and in some cases its relationship with surrounding landscape types. These include the series of small to medium-scale reservoirs already mentioned, the communication masts on the top of Earl’s Hill and, most recently, wind turbines. A few buildings, such as pump houses and control buildings etc. are associated with infrastructure provision.

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Lowland Hills

Several key changes to the character and experience of this landscape have a resulted from windfarm development:• Despite their proximity to well-settled areas the hill tops were, until recently,

experienced to be remote; however, development of windfarms in this landscape has diminished the perception of remoteness and ‘wildness’.

• From lower land the hills typically appear larger in scale than they really are. This is partly because the dramatic visual contrast between the hills and lower, more settled areas tends to exaggerate their height but also because there are few features on the hill slopes or tops to give a clear indication of scale; in addition. However, this impression has been diminished with the location of very large wind turbines on skylines.

Wind energy developments do not yet dominate this landscape character area, however, there continues to be interest in additional developments, which could potentially tip the balance.Summary

Northern Escarpment:• The northern escarpments play an important role in the overall landscape

composition of the Forth Valley and with their extensive visual envelope and large viewing populations, have a very high level of visual sensitivity.

• Wind energy developments have had an effect on these important hill edges (especially in the east) although not, as yet, to an overwhelming extent.

• Thelavaflowswhichhaveresultedinthedistinctivestep-likeappearanceoftheescarpment have high natural heritage interest.

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Hill Plateau:• A landscape that has undergone dramatic change in recent years with the

introduction of large wind turbines over part of the core area - with continuing interest in additional wind energy development. Change has also resulted from the harvesting and restructuring of commercial woodland areas at Cairnoch Hill.

• Thehill-plateaustillhasasimplicityandunityoflandform,butthisismoredifficultto discern now that the turbines have created new, dynamic focal points in the landscape, increased complexity and obvious human intervention and provided scale references previously absent. These effects have reduced, but not entirely taken away an impression of remoteness and wildness, which was noted in the National Landscape Character Assessment.

• In core areas and away from wind turbines, the hills are still open and lack subdivision by roads, fences or other structures. Reservoirs and forestry continue to provide visual diversity and scale reference points at the local level – but travelling through the landscape it is impossible to be unaware of the near-by windfarms to some extent.

• Dramatic panoramic views are still to be had from this landscape, but in some areas the eye tends rather to be drawn to the new focal points created by the windfarms. These too can be dramatic and attractive, but very different.

• The hills as a whole form an integral part of the wider Southern Hills Local Landscape Area.

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Lowland Hills



• Installation of wind turbines/windfarms and associated infrastructure, with further development approved.

• Continuing area of interest for additional large-scale wind turbines/windfarms and smaller, farm-scale machines.

• Changes to farm support mechanisms impact on stocking levels, which in turn affect land cover and biodiversity.

• Harvesting of Forestry Commission woodland to the north and west of Cairnoch Hill, with restructuring to meet modern multi-purpose forestry objectives.

• Future felling and restructuring of privately owned forestry blocks offers opportunitiestoimprovenaturalheritagevalueandlandscape‘fit’.

• Some potential for expansion of native broadleaves, for example: to extend established planting on the lower reaches of burns/gullies, on some lower ground near farms and when restructuring existing woodlands.

• Pressure for removal of some woodland, to compensate for loss of open habitat asaresultofwindenergydevelopment-althoughthispotentiallyconflictswithobjectives for overall expansion of woodland.


• Potential area of interest for housing in the countryside in lower, more accessible areas.

• Potential for increase in recreational use and within an area that could be included in a country/ regional park partnership, to enhance recreational management and development.

• Potential area of interest for run-off river/micro hydro schemes.

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Particular sensitivities within the Fintry, Gargunnock & Touch Hills Landscape:

• Development or changes to land management that could compromise the physical integrity and views of key skylines, distinctive hill edges and perception of their great scale and inaccessibility or important geological and landform features.

• Development tipping delicate balance of existing wind energy developments and landscape character/quality within this landscape character area and the Southern Hills as a whole. Presence of windfarms in within this landscape significantlyheightenssensitivity toadditionalwindenergydevelopmentwithinthese or adjacent hills.

• Other additional built structures could further erode the perception of remoteness. New infrastructure as well as new metalled roads/tracks in open areas need as much care and consideration as new buildings.


• Decline and loss of traditional features, such as stone walls and shelterbelts, because of lack of management.


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• Safeguard prime natural heritage value of the Sites of Scientific Interest andGeological Conservation Review Sites.

• Safeguard, enhance/extend the regionally valuable network of functionally connected woodland habitats, between Scout Head, Gillies Hill and Lewis Hill, which lie part within this landscape and part in the East Touch Hill Fringe (L17)



• Support management and restoration of relict shelterbelts and of existing stone dykefieldboundaries.


Lowland Hills

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H1Glen Lochay Mountain GroupMountains

The highest summits of Ben Challum (1025m), Creag Mhor (1047m) and Meall Ghaordaidh (1039m) are sited to the north and west of the mountain group. Deeply penetratedbyGlenLochay,thebroadmassifiscomposedofinterlockingwell-definedmountain peaks and long ridgelines, which combine to create an atmosphere of a large-scale, inaccessible terrain, the isolated character of which is emphasised by the lack of settlement and tree cover.


ThisareabroadlyconformstoCharacterArea2:GLENLOCHAYGROUPHighlandMountains (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf), although the upper parts of Glen Lochay are here included in the Glen Lochay (L3) local landscape character description.

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H1Glen Lochay Mountain Group

Mountains

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

Scattered rocky outcrops are exposed along many of the summits: elsewhere the craggy forms of the underlying rock are clearly visible beneath a thin veneer of soil and vegetation. An abundance of small streams cuts deeply into the lower slopes, occasionally striating the hillside with the glinting lines of minor waterfalls. Within the mountain plateau lie a number of small lochans. The high slopes are used for rough grazing by sheep and also shelter deer, which use the mountains and passes to move from valley to valley. The majority of the Glen Lochay Mountain Group is covered by a local landscape designation (Glen Lochay Local Landscape Area), with the remaining land, centred on Beinn nan Eachan, forming part of the Loch Rannoch & Glen Lyon National Scenic Area.

A vegetation of rough moorland grasses and heather dapples the upper mountain slopes, mixing with the brighter tones of bracken on lower ground. The moorland vegetationisoccasionallybrokenbyrush-invaded,mossyflushesindamperhollowsand alpine vegetation on rocky outcrops. Montane habitats of national and international significancearedesignatedassitesofSpecialScientificInterestandSpecialProtectionAreas. Tree cover is almost entirely absent from the area at present. The Glen Lochay Estate native woodland creation project extends to two mountain passes, although the new woodland in these areas will be open and scrubby and incidental to the landscape.

A single metalled track cuts across the northern line of peaks, in a high pass linking Glen Lochay with Glen Lyon. A few farm tracks wind onto the lower mountain slopes from upper Glen Lochay, but are only accessible to authorised vehicles, walkers and cyclists. Several of the peaks and routes between peaks are popular with hill walkers.

From the corries and high valleys there are focused views along upper Glen Lochay, opening out on the peaks and ridges into panoramic vistas. Important external views of the mountain groups from the A82, A85 and A827 tourist routes.

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Settlement Pattern

The mountains themselves are uninhabited. Clusters of derelict shielings on the lower mountain slopes are reminders of when the area was used for summer grazing and temporary/seasonal settlement.

Summary

• Open, large-scale landscape of individual mountain peaks, ridges and corries the footslopes of which often merge with the higher slopes of Glen Lochay.

• Remote, wild mountain atmosphere due to the total lack of settlement and lack of penetration by metalled roads.

• Dominance of semi-natural vegetation types, including montane habitats of European importance.

• Remains of temporary settlements and other archaeological features are important reminders of earlier, more productive agricultural systems within the mountains and high glens.

• The special landscape and scenic qualities of the area are recognized by a national and local landscape designations.

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Mountains



• Changes to farm support mechanisms have had and will continue to have direct impacts on stocking levels, which in turn affect land cover and biodiversity.

• Amajorprogrammeofnativewoodlandcreationbegan inUpperGlenLochayin 2010. Some small areas of open/scrub woodland extend into this landscape character area, primarily in the vicinity of the little lochans in the far south-west corner of the area and in the high pass north-west of Kenknock.

• Hydro generation.

Particular sensitivities within the Glen Lochay Group Landscape:

Glen Lochay Mountain Group as a whole has very high natural and cultural heritage value and there are sensitivities at a strategic and local level in respect of landscape, visual, biodiversity and archaeological/cultural heritage interests.

• Safeguard prime nature conservation value of Sites of Special ScientificInterest and Special Protection Areas. Elsewhere, respect and where possible enhance important natural and cultural heritage value of the mountains and their open, wild land character.

• Development of additional strongly linear man-made features (pipelines, power lines, fences and tracks etc), particularly on the open hills, reducing the areas sense of remoteness.

• Introduction of large or tall man-made structures on the upper slopes, skylines or summits that diminish their sense of scale and seclusion. High scenic and nature conservation value make this landscape very sensitive to large-scale built development such as wind turbines.

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• Other built structures in prominent locations that are incongruous with the remote and ‘wild’ land character and/or compromise scenic qualities. In particular new dwellings are unlikely to be appropriate in the core mountain area. If exceptional circumstances can be justified and/or other buildings areessential for land management reasons, then siting and design must meet very high standards.

• Grounddisturbance,resultingforexamplefromcutandfillworks,cantakemany years to restore/recover because of the nature of the upland soils and harsh climate: Particular care needed to protect and conserve high carbon/peat soils and to avoid pollution of watercourses.

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Mountains


• DesignationofSitesofSpecialScientificInterestandSpecialProtectionAreasmeans that changes of land use and management practices are restricted over significantareasofland,tosafeguardimportantbiodiversityinterests.However,reduced stocking levels will potentially lead to gradual changes in vegetation over awidearea.Monitoringofchangeswouldbebeneficial.

• A programme of native woodland creation in Upper Glen Lochay extends inplaces into the mountain landscape. The woodland planting has been carefully sited and designed to fit the landscapewhilst respecting awide range of keyconstraints. Any additional change would also need to be carefully considered to safeguard the same sensitivities.

• Landscape, visual and biodiversity effects of major native woodland creation in the mountain passes to be monitored as part of the project, allowing for amendments to the plan or management regime where appropriate.

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H2Creag Gharbh Mountain GroupMountains

This mountain group lies between Lochs Tay and Earn to the north and south respectively. The Loch Tay fault-line bisects the plateau, running in a south-west to north-easterly direction and, as a result, the mountain topography exhibits noticeable differences to either side. Although these mountains are lower than the Glen Lochay Group the open, large-scale topography, lack of settlement and metalled roads combine to create a remote mountain atmosphere. The whole mountain group forms an integral part of the Creag Gharbh Local Landscape Area.


ThisareabroadlyconformstoCharacterArea3:BEINNLEABHAINNGROUPHighlandMountains (Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, 1999, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf). However, the peak of Beinn LeabhainnandGlenOgle,whichoriginallydefinedthewesternedgeofthecharacterarea, now lie within the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park and outwith this plan area. In addition the forested slopes above Auchmore, which contrast markedly with the open mountainsides, are here included in the landscape character description for Auchmore (4).

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H2Creag Gharbh Mountain Group

Mountains

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

These mountains are lower than the Glen Lochay Group North-west of the Loch Tay fault line the presence of metamorphic limestone seams has resulted in a craggy irregular mass of rocky peaks and exposed outcrops, containing several lochans; these present a distinctive silhouette bordering Loch Tay. South-east of the fault the mountains are smoother andmore well-defined, with few rock outcrops andmoresinuous outlines. Small, unobtrusive burns cross the mountainsides and coalesce to form the larger, more deeply incised streams which follow the fault-line division. The Lochan Breaclaich reservoir nestles to the south-west of Creag Gharbh, and forms the uppermost storage reservoir of the St Fillans section of the Breadalbane Hydro-Electric Scheme.

The dominant land cover of heather and grass moorland across the greater extent of the mountain plateau fades into a heavily textured patchwork of bracken and rough tussocky grasses on the lower or steeper slopes. Woodland is absent from the core of the mountain massif. However, birch and oak woodland lines both the Beich and Finglen Burns well into their upper valleys, and a scattering of small coniferous forest blocks, somewhat incongruous in scale, are sited between Creag Gharbh and Meall Daimh.

The core mountain area is inaccessible other than on foot. From Killin several tracks and forest rides climb up the hillsides through the plantation woodlands of Auchmore. One of these carries on to provide authorized vehicle access to the reservoir, hydro-electric pipeline and masts which are absorbed within the uneven, rocky landform; the track then follows the Allt Meall nan Damh north-east to Ardeonaig. The whole route provides forms of the Rob Roy Way long-distance footpath. To the south of the mountain group, a few farm tracks wind up from lower ground.

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From the periphery of the mountain mass, views are dominated by Loch Tay and the dramatic ridgeline of Ben Lawers/Meall nan Tarmachan to the north and by Loch Earn and high peaks beyond to the south. In contrast there are shorter, more enclosed views from within the mountain group itself. There are important views to the mountain flanks fromsections of theA84andA827and froma number of nearbymountainpeaks, popular with hill walkers.

Settlement Pattern

The mountains themselves are uninhabited. A few clusters of derelict shielings lie along some of the stream sides, reminders of when the area was used for summer grazing and temporary/seasonal settlement.

Summary

• Open, large-scale landscape of individual mountain peaks and ridges, distinctively different either side of the Loch Tay fault.

• Remote, wild mountain atmosphere due to predominantly uninhabited state. (The man-made utilities within the mountains are generally unobtrusive from longer views towards the area.)

• Dominance of semi-natural vegetation types.• Remains of temporary settlements and other archaeological features are important

reminders of earlier, more productive agricultural systems within the mountains.• The special landscape and scenic qualities of the area are recognized by a local

landscape designation.

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Mountains



• Changes to farm support mechanisms have had and will continue to have direct impacts on stocking levels, which in turn affect land cover and biodiversity.

• Established hydro generation scheme and potential area of interest for run-off river hydro projects.

• Potential for expansion of native woodland within the stream valleys penetrating the mountains, especially in the lower reaches where established woodland is already present; by extending up from loch side woodland areas and by conversion of some higher-level conifer blocks when harvesting/restocking.

• Potential area of interest for wind turbines.

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Particular sensitivities within the Creag Gharbh Mountain Group Landscape:

• Development of additional strongly linear man-made features (pipelines, power lines, fences and tracks etc), particularly on the open hills, reducing the areas sense of remoteness.

• Introduction of large or tall man-made structures on the hill slopes, skylines or summits that diminish their sense of scale and seclusion.

• The outer skylines and flanks of themountains are particularly visuallysensitive, with important views obtained from the A84 north of Kingshouse and from the A827 and Ben Lawers Group on the north side of Loch Tay.

• Other built structures in prominent locations that are incongruous with the remote and ‘wild’ land character and/or compromise scenic qualities. In particular new dwellings are unlikely to be appropriate in the core mountain area. If exceptional circumstances can be justified and/or other buildings areessential for land management reasons, then siting and design must meet very high standards.


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Mountains


• Reduced stocking levels on grazing areas will potentially lead to gradual changes invegetationoverawidearea.Monitoringofchangeswouldbebeneficial.Promoteagreements for continued sensitive management of semi-natural grassland and moorland communities.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to protect, enhance and expand native woodland along stream margins and up from loch sides.

• Utilize restructuring plans in established plantations as opportunities to createfurther open space areas, ameliorate margins and integrate shapes with landforms and existing native woodland.

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H3Glen Lochay Farmed & Wooded Glen

ThevalleyoftheRiverLochaycommencesnearBenChallumandflowseastwardstowards Killin to converge with the River Dochart and enter Loch Tay. The upper glen is currently very open and remote in character, in contrast to the more accessible, treed and relatively settled lower valley. However, the two halves of the glen are treated as a single landscape character area, as they form a single topographic feature and the distinction between land cover in the upper and lower parts of the glen is becoming less marked, because of a large-scale native woodland creation taking place in the landscape west of Kenknock. All of Glen Locahy lies within the Glen Locahy Local Landscape Area.


This area broadly conforms to the western section of Character Area 5: GLEN LOCHAY Highland River Valley (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/

review/123.pdf)

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H3Glen Lochay

Farmed & Wooded Glen

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

Thenarrowflatbottomedvalleycontainsafast-flowingriver,itsmeandersoccasionallymarked by curving sweeps of shingle. Mountains surround the glen along its length, andinplacesproximityofthelowerconvexslopestothevalleyfloorcreatesaseriesof‘pinch points’, which contrast with the wider sections of the valley. Numerous streams and waterfalls spill down the valley sides, which are heavily marked by extrusions and ridges of metamorphosed limestone.

The upper section of Glen Lochay, west of Kenknock, is markedly larger in scale than the lower glen. It is also, at present, largely devoid of the scattered woodland and settlement found in the lower valley. The upper reaches of the glen merge with the lower slopes of the mountains physically and botanically – semi-natural vegetation typesdominate,includingmontanehabitatsofnationalandinternationalsignificance.Lower areas comprise rough grazing, which until recently has been subject to very high stocking levels. The lower areas also include some small geometrically shaped coniferous plantations and shelterbelts as well as remnant patches of native broadleaves in steep gullies. The pipelines to the power station lower down the glen are very prominent in some locations. However, this is a landscape undergoing change astheresultofasignificantnativewoodlandcreationproject,andinyearstocomethe distinction between the upper and lower parts of the glen as far as land cover are concerned will be less. The woodland restoration has been carefully designed to respect the natural and cultural heritage sensitivities and the physical remoteness of the upper part of the valley, reinforced by very limited settlement and lack of metalled roads, will ensure that the high glen still has a sense of remoteness and wild land-character.

The glen east of Kenknock becomes progressively more wooded in character – the prevailingfeaturealongthevalleyfloorandsidesisthequantityofwoodland:gnarledmature oak trees are knotted around farmsteads and along stone walls; mixed oak, ash, alder and birch form a thick fringe of woodland along the riverbanks; drifts of birch

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and a few clumps of Scots pine dapple the valley sides and crown rocky hummocks; andoccasionalareasofgorsescrubedgetheroadsides.Theflatter,moreopenpartsofthevalleysupportsmallfieldsofsemi-improvedpasture,occasionallyinterruptedbygroups of lichen-patterned boulders or patches of boggy, rough ground. Drystone walls andhighdeer fencesbound thefieldsof thevalley,whichmergewithexpansesofrough grassland and extensive areas of bracken across the enclosing higher ground.

A single track road twists along the valley, bridging the river at several points. This terminates near Kencknock and the overriding impression is that the upper valley is a dead-end, remote and inaccessible - although in reality a minor track climbs north toahighpassgivingaccessintoGlenLyon.Unmetalledfarmtrackscarryonalongthe valley side and towards the source of the River Lochay, but are only accessible to authorised vehicles, walkers and cyclists.

The glen is largely hidden from external views, with the exception of views down and along the valley from the encircling summits, some of which are Munros. Views within the upper glen are generally long and open, terminated and dominated by the surroundingmountainpeaks.Elsewhere,viewsareforthemostpartconfinedtothevalley and lower mountain slopes and vary depending on local landform and tree cover.

Settlement Pattern

The upper glen is almost uninhabited, with just a few scattered farm and estate buildings in the main valley and nothing at all beyond – although historically there was a high level of seasonal and even semi-permanent settlement throughout the area. (Shielings).

Furtherdowntheglenandgenerallycoincidingwithpocketsofimprovedfields,littlegroups of dispersed farmsteads are found, usually close to the road and sited on slight risesabovetheriverfloodplain.Mostfarmsteadsareinanattractivevernacularstyle.Again, historically the lower glen was much more settled, with archaeological evidence of many abandoned farmsteads and even small townships.


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Just under 3km from the mouth of the glen there is a modern hydro-electric power station.Thebuildingissensitivelydesigned,fittingintothelandscapethroughtheuseof local stone and a curving floor plan that echoes the coiling river. The pipelinesfeeding the power station are rather less sensitively sited and designed and are very prominent in some parts of the glen.

Summary

• The principle highland glen within the plan area, epitomizing highland landscape and scenery.

• The glen has a sense of seclusion and tranquility (despite the modern human intervention evidenced by the hydro-power scheme), hidden within and overshadowed by the strongly moulded craggy mountain ridgelines to the north and south.

• The western end of the glen, where the River Lochay emerges from the mountains, is at a larger scale and has a sense of isolation in contrast to the intimate, farmed and tended character of the valley further east.

• Diverse texture of land cover, including small-scale variations in topography and presence of bracken, heather and scrub.

• Diversity of woodland of scenic and nature conservation value, with long-term proposals for a major expansion of native woodland in the upper glen.

• Rich and varied natural and cultural heritage features, with multiple designations. The special landscape and scenic qualities of the area are recognized by a local landscape designation.

H3Glen Lochay


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• Changes to agricultural support mechanisms have had and will continue to have direct impacts on farmers’ decisions on stocking levels etc., which in turn affect land cover and biodiversity, especially in the upper glen and on higher slopes.

• Potential area of interest for tourism related developments because of accessibility and proximity to the national park. Already a popular recreational area for leisure drives and hill walking. Popularity unlikely to wane, as relatively accessible location yet possessing attractive sense of remoteness. (Evidence of some visitor pressure at peak periods.)

• Loss of landscape features because of lack of active management, e.g. decline in unfenced/unmanaged broadleaf woodland and replacement of tumbledown dykes with fencing.

• A major programme of native woodland creation in the upper glen began in 2010. Some potential for enhancement and sensitive expansion of native broadleaf and/or mixed woodland elsewhere in the valley.

• New housing in the countryside - especially in the lower, more accessible parts of the glen

• Established hydro generation scheme and potential area of interest for run-off river hydro projects.

• Potential area of interest for farm-scale wind turbines


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Particular sensitivities within the Glen Lochay Landscape:

• Glen Lochay as a whole has very high natural and cultural heritage value. The sites of national (and even international) importance are safeguarded by a series of designations, but other special areas and sites also need to be respected.

• Throughout the glen there are sensitivities to large built structures or strongly linear man-made features that are incongruous with remote and tranquil character and/or compromise scenic qualities.

• Landscape character in Upper Glen Lochay is undergoing change, due to a major programme of native woodland creation. It could be argued that sensitivity is lessened whilst the new landscape is formed. However, the woodland planting hasbeencarefullysitedanddesignedtofitthelandscapewhilstrespectingawiderange of key constraints. Any additional change would also need to be carefully considered to safeguard the same sensitivities.

• In the lower glen the delicate existing equilibrium between land cover types and between open and enclosed views is sensitive to quite small changes in land uses.


• DesignationofSitesofSpecialScientificInterestandSpecialProtectionAreasmeans that changes of land use and management practices are restricted over significantareasofland,tosafeguardimportantbiodiversityinterests.However,reduced stocking levels on grazing areas will potentially lead to gradual changes invegetationoverawidearea.Monitoringofchangeswouldbebeneficial.

• Landscape, visual and biodiversity effects of major native woodland creation in the upper glen to be monitored as part of the project, allowing for amendments to the plan or management regime where appropriate.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to protect, enhance and expand existing woodland in the lower glen, whilst maintaining a careful balance between open space and woodland and safeguarding important views.

• Supportmanagementandrestorationofexistingstonedykefieldboundariesandextend to replace fences where possible.

H3Glen Lochay


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H4AuchmoreLarge Scale Forested Glen Side

ThisarealiesonthenorthwestflankoftheBeinnLeabhainn/CreagGharbhMountainGroup,butthelandscapehasmoreincommonwiththeforestedflanksofGlenDochartto the west than the open mountains to the south and east. The landscape lies within the Creag Gharbh Local Landscape Area.


Thisareaformsacontinuationofthe‘ForestedGlen’characterareaidentifiedintheLochLomond and the Trossachs Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Commissioned Report N0. 093, 2005. It is also described within Character Area 3: BEINN LEABHAINN GROUPHighlandMountains(CentralRegionLandscapeCharacterAssessment,SNHReview No. 123, 1999, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf).

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H4Auchmore

Large Scale Forested Glen Side

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

TothesouthofKillintheflanksofGlenDochartareextensivelyplantedwithconiferouswoodland. This large-scale commerical forestry extends eastwards, above the western end of Loch Tay as far as the Lochan Breaclaich Reservoir and Allt Breaclaich Burn, and is in marked contrast to the largely open mountain slopes and peaks within the rest of the Creag Gharbh Mountain Group (H2).

Forest margins are sometimes hard and insensitive, although the rugged terrain and large number of burns, ensures the planting is somewhat broken up and mixed with broadleaves in some areas. In addition, the planting is reaching maturity and some areas have already begun to be harvested, which as well as bringing change to the landscape offers opportunities to improve the appearance and biodiversity value of the forest at restocking.

Several tracks and rides cut through the forestry, some extending out on to the open hills to provide access to the reservoir, hydroelectric pipeline and masts. The Rob Roy Way makes use of one of these tracks, providing access from the loch shore, via the forest onto the open mountains. Another track skirts the top edge of the forest to provide a footpath link with Glen Ogle.

The forested slopes are clearly visible in views from the wider landscape to the north of Loch Tay.

199

H4AuchmoreLarge Scale Forested Glen Side

Settlement Pattern

This landscape contains no modern habitation, although there is scattered archaeological evidence of farmsteads and past cultivation.

Summary

• Relatively modern and large-scale landscape dominated by commercial timber production, swathing the lower mountain slopes and upper glen sides between Lochan Breaclaich reservoir and Killin.

• Although the rugged terrain lessens the visual prominence of the forest, margins are sometimes harsh and insensitive. Generally low species and age diversity. Harvesting and restocking offer significant opportunities for improvements inforest design.

• Largely uniform appearance of plantation woodland gives way in the east to amorebrokenanddiversewoodland cover, reflectingmore variedunderlyingterrain.

• Some recreational value, with potential for enhancement. • Lies within the Creag Gharbh Local Landscape Area.

200

H4Auchmore

Large Scale Forested Glen Side



• Harvesting and restocking of commercial woodland areas. • Plans to reduce the input of fertilisers etc during restocking may bring the tree line

for commercial forestry down-slope. • Potential area of interest for further recreational activities and tourism related

developments because of accessibility and proximity to the national park.

Particular sensitivities within the Auchmore Landscape:

• Utilize restocking after felling to restructure woodland, creating further open space areas, ameliorating margins and integrating shapes with landforms and existing/proposed native woodland.

• Forest design should consider longer distance external views from key routes and viewpoints as well as views from footpaths/tracks within the landscape.


• In addition to comments about re-design of the commercial forestry areas above, seek opportunities to safeguard and expand native and semi-natural woodland, with special consideration to maintaining/creating functionally connected woodland habitats.

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H5West Loch TayFarmed & Wooded Lochside

The broad, 23km long curving sweep of Loch Tay runs from Killin in the south-west to Kenmore in the north-east. Only the westernmost end of the loch and south-western shoreline lie within the plan area. West Loch Tay is a very small landscape character area,lyingonthelargelyflatlandbetweenthenationalparkboundaryonthenorthernand eastern edges of Killin and the loch itself. It is distinguished from the lochside to the south-west of Loch Tay by its low elevation and proximity to settlement. The whole landscape lies within the Creag Gharbh Local Landscape Area.


This area is not included in any published national landscape character assessment. It was not included in the Central Region Assessment and falls just outwith the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Landscape Assessment.

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H5West Loch Tay

Farmed & Wooded Lochside

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

In some respects this small landscape area is a continuation of the glen to the west and as described in the ‘Highland Strath & Glen Floor Landscape Character Type’ of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Landscape Assessment. (Only omitted from the latter because of the park boundary follows the course of the River Lochay rather than the loch edge). However, it differs from the main strath in as much as it abuts and provides an interface with Loch Tay itself.

Land south of Pier Road, which links the northern end of Killin with the loch shore, isflat,lowlyingandatriskofflooding.Tothenorthofthisminorroadthelandrisestowards the A827, quite markedly at the plan boundary with Perth & Kinross.

For such a small area there is a mix of land use and land cover, with rough grazing on the meadows closest to the loch, semi-improved land in the drier areas, patches of woodland, a golf course and a cemetery. Trees fringe the rivers, loch shore and little islands at the westernmost end of the loch. The Loch Tay Marshes Site of Special ScientificInterestpartiallyfallswithinthisarea.

In addition to Pier Road there are a number of well used paths and tracks, giving pedestrian access to the river banks, lochshore and golf course.

203

H5West Loch TayFarmed & Wooded Lochside

Settlement Pattern

This landscape is largely rural in character although the cemetery and golf course are more urban elements and the eastern outskirts of Killin lie close by. There are a few houses along Pier Road and one or two farms.

Historically there were at least two defensive sites, a consequence of the strategic location.

Summary

• Smallbutdistinctiveareaofglenfloorwithflatfieldsandriparian/wetwoodland,including some small islands close to the shore, together with and an area of hummocky and rising ground to the north. Strong sense of place.

• Grandeur of scale of setting provided by major fault-guided loch and enclosing mountain masses. Marked contrast between the horizontal plane of water surface and the low lying land at the head of the loch and surrounding steep hillsides.

• Closetosettlement,theinfluenceofwhichextendsbeyondtheresidentialstreets,e.g. golf course, and small cemetery.

• The special landscape and scenic qualities of the area are recognized by a local landscape designation.

204

H5West Loch Tay




• Any increase in frequencyand/orextentoffloodingwillpotentiallydriveand/orshape options for change

• Potential pressure for new housing and other infrastructure and built development on the edges of the village

• Potential area of interest for tourism related developments because of accessibility and proximity to the national park and the popular centre of Killin.

• Some potential for enhancement and expansion of native broadleaf woodland.

Particular sensitivities within the West Loch Tay Landscape:

• Small extent and intimate qualities of this landscape area makes it sensitive to large-scale or cumulative effects of change, which could quickly erode its tranquil, largely rural character. The risk of attrition of character and suburbanization is particularly high given the accessible location and proximity to Killin.


• Safeguard prime nature conservation value of Loch Tay Marshes Site of Special ScientificInterest.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to protect, enhance and expand existing semi-natural woodland whilst maintaining a careful balance between open space and woodland and safeguarding important views.

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H6South-West Loch TayFarmed & Wooded Lochside

The broad, 23km long curving sweep of Loch Tay runs from Killing in the south-west to Kenmore in the north-east. Only the south-western shoreline and westernmost end of the loch lies within the plan area. The southern shoreline is backed by the craggy, mountain plateau of the Beinn Leabhainn/Creag Gharbh Mountain Group, and looks acrosstothestronglydefinedsharpridgelinesoftheBenLawersrange.Numeroussmall streams, and several larger burns, wind across the slopes towards the shoreline, which is often broken by small, rounded promontories. This landscape area varies in extent, depending upon how close the mountain slopes press to the loch shore, and incharacter fromalmostflatorgently rolling farmland tosteeplyslopingwoodland.Restricted access and the rugged terrain of the adjacent mountain slopes, combine to create a strongly rural and unspoilt character. The whole landscape lies within the Creag Gharbh Local Landscape Area.


MuchofthisareafallswithinofCharacterArea6:SOUTH-WESTLOCHTAYHighlandLochs (Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, 1999, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf) However, it excludes an area of dense coniferous forest south-east of Killin, which is here included in the landscape character description for Auchmore (H4).

206

H6South-West Loch Tay


LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

As the lower, north-facing slopes of the Creag Gharbh Mountain Group roll down towards Loch Tay, some shelve out or are folded into small valleys and, on the gentler slopes that are created, farming is possible. Elsewhere, where the mountain slopes press closer to the water’s edge, the lochshore is given over to mixed and semi-natural woodland. Despite these variations in topography and landcover there is a unity to the landscape, provided by its intimacy, constant relationship to the loch and repeating elements in the scenic composition.

Fields of semi-improved pasture, dotted with occasional mossy boulders and a scatteringofcoarserushandsedgeclumpsindamperflushes,areborderedbystonewalls and post-and wire or post-and-rail fences. Scattered groups of oak crown rocky knollswithinthepasturelandandstreamsaredefinedbybirchandalder.Wheretheimproved pasture abuts open hill ground, there is generally a marked and abrupt change to rough grazing, often marked by a headwall. On uncultivated or steeper ground, semi-natural deciduous woodland dominates. Cambusurich Wood, fringing the loch and climbing the slopes above Fiddler’s Bay, is designated as a Site of Special ScientificInterest.Curvingfringesandclumpsofoak,birch,ashandScotspinedefinethe lochside.

A minor, single-track road with passing places winds along the slopes above the loch edge, linking Killin to Kenmore and providing the only vehicle access to the scattered houses and small settlements along the south side of Loch Tay. The road is also a recognized core footpath and cycle route. Access to the lochside itself is limited to a few locations, e.g. Firbush and Fiddler’s Bay.

207


Thedifficultyofaccessbyroad,scatteredsettlementandnatureofthelandcover/usecombine to create an intimate, rural character in marked contrast with the adjacent, rugged mountain slopes. The elevated position of the public road above the loch shore gives a pleasing range of channelled views through woodland, vistas along the loch and open views to the Ben Lawers hills. Visual enticement is created through a rhythmic narrowing and widening of views. There are important external views to this landscape from the A827 and the Ben Lawers Range to the north of Loch Tay.

Settlement Pattern

A variety of stone or white-washed farmsteads and houses are strung along the minor road, generally well-integrated by sheltering tree groups. At the eastern end of the study area, the small village of Ardeonaig and associated scattered farms cluster at the foot of the Finglen Burn and along the lower reaches of the Allt Meall nan Damh, where there is a wider area of farmland. Some small scale tourist and recreational facilities are also located in this area.

This landscape has had a long history of attraction for human settlement, evidenced by the number of deserted farmsteads and townships, which, together with earlier archaeological sites, are found throughout the area.

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Summary

• Grandeur of scale of setting provided by major fault-guided loch and enclosing mountain masses.

• The lochside landscape of green pastureland and woods with its scattered, long-established settlement is in marked contrast to the rough, uninhabited moorland of the mountain slopes above.

• Rich natural heritage value of semi-natural woodland and cultural heritage assets.• Relativelylowtrafficvolumeonroadandonlylowleveloflochshoretourismand

recreation development.• Relative isolation and introverted visual character creates strong identity and

sense of place.• The special landscape and scenic qualities of the area are recognized by a local

landscape designation.

209




• Area of interest for tourism related developments because of accessibility and proximity to the national park and the popular centres of Killin and Kenmore.


• Loss of landscape features because of lack of active management, e.g. decline in unfenced/unmanaged broadleaf woodland and replacement of tumbledown stone walls with fencing.

• Run-off river hydro schemes.• Potential for enhancement and expansion of native broadleaf and/or mixed

woodland.• Potential area of interest for farm-scale wind turbines.

Particular sensitivities within the South-West Loch Tay Landscape:

• Existing equilibrium between land cover types and between open and enclosed views, create a strong rural character and sense of identity. Large-scale development or land use changes could compromise these qualities and the areas sense of relative isolation and tranquility. All such proposals require very careful assessment; including the indirect impacts of development, for example significantincreasesinvehicletrafficonthepublicroad(whichisalsoacorepathand cycle route) or car parking. The cumulative effects of smaller developments should also be considered.

• Role and importance of the landscape in respect of the wider Creag Gharbh Local Landscape Area and the attractive contrast provided with higher, open ground.

210




• Safeguard prime nature conservation value of Cambusurich Wood Site of Special ScientificInterest.

• Develop a strategy and make the most of opportunities to protect, enhance and expand existing semi-natural woodland whilst maintaining a careful balance between open space and woodland and safeguarding important views.


• Tree planting is associated with many existing properties. If new development can’t be sited to relate well with existing planting, then new planting should normally be provided and adequate space must be available for this.

211

H7Lower Glen BeichFarmed & Wooded Lochside

The linear form of loch Earn runs for approximatley 10km from Lochearnhead in the west to St Fillans in the east, closely rimmed bu mountain plateaux to the north and south. The loch and its southern shore lie within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and much of the northern loch fringes are within Perth and Kinross. The Beinn Leabhainn/Creag Gharbh Mountain Group is deeply penetrated from the south by the Beich Burn, but at its southern end the little river valley opens out just beforejoiningLochEarnanditsgreenfieldsandwoodlandscontrastmarkedlywiththe surrounding open hills. This small area of lochside farmland, centred on Glenbeich Lodge, falls within the Stirling Plan Area.


This area falls within Character Area 7: NORTH-WEST LOCH EARN Highland Lochs (Ash Consulting Group 1999, Central Region Landscape Character Assessment, SNH Review No. 123, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/review/123.pdf)

212

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

Generally:

For the most part the mountains north of Loch Earn tilt steeply downwards almost to the water, but their edge is broken by the the valley of the Beich Burn, at the mouth of whichisadeltaofflatground,fanningoutintotheloch.ThewholeglenlieswithintheCreag Gharbh Local Landscape Area.

This small character area comprises the smooth expanses of semi-improved pasture ontheedgeofthelochandlowervalleyfloorandsides.Thislandistightlydefinedby the head-dyke that marks the change to grass and heather moorland on the lower mountain slopes. An area of botanic interest lies on the south-west corner of the area, at the junction of the improved pasture and open hill (Dalveich Meadow Site of Special Scientific Interest). The pasture land is broken up with gappy bramble, hawthornand dog-rose thickets; low, often tumbledown stone walls; post-and-wire fences; and shelterbelts and hedgerow lines of birch, ash and oak. As the valley narrows, its constriction is emphasised by rounded clumps of Scots pine and mature ornamental conifersframingArdveichandalongfingerofdecidouswoodlandpenetratesforover2km into the glen.

The A85 runs across the bottom of the valley, separating it from the lochshore (which is within the national park). The line of a disused railway can also be discerned running roughly parallel to the trunk road, and beyond that an electricity pylon line. Both fetaures are generally well absorbed by and unobtrusive within the landscape. Private access tracks serve the farmsteads and houses which nestle at the entrance of the glen

Viewsatthemouthofthevalleyaregenerallyacrossthefields,towardsthelochandhills beyond, framed by the high land ethier side of the little glen. The valley quickly narrows to the north, and views here are much more enclosed and dominated by the surrounding mountain slopes and the burnside woodland.

H7Lower Glen Beich


213

H7Lower Glen BeichFarmed & Wooded Lochside

Settlement Pattern

Settlement is concentrated at the foot of Glen Beich, where several large, handsome stone and slate farmsteads are sited. Soft greens, blues and rich russet reds have been used to paint porches, doorways, barge-boards, window frames and outbuildings.

Summary

• Small discrete area enclosed by steep hillsides with a human-scale and sense of intimacy.

• Marked contrast between the rough moorland of the mountain slopes and green pastureland and woods of the lochside and valley farmland

• Rich natural heritage value of wet meadows and semi-natural woodland.• Attractive vernacular buildings at the mouth of the glen.• Forms part of the Creag Gharbh LLA.



• Potential area of interest for tourism related developments because of accessibility and proximity to the national park.

• Loss of landscape features because of lack of active management, e.g. decline in unfenced/unmanaged broadleaf woodland and replacement of tumbledown dykes with fencing.

• Potential area of interest for new housing in the countryside and conversion of traditional farm steadings to multiple-unit residential use.

• Potential for enhancement and some expansion of native broadleaf and/or mixed woodland.

• Potential area of interest for farm-scale wind turbines in open areas.• Potential area of interest for run-of river hydro schemes

214

H7Lower Glen Beich


Particular sensitivities within the Lower Glen Beich Landscape:

• Small extent and intimate qualities of this landscape area makes it sensitive to large-scale or cumulative effects of small-scale change, which could quickly erode its tranquil, agricultural character.

• Role and importance of the landscape in respect of the wider Creag Gharbh Local Landscape Area, and the attractive contrast provided with higher, open ground.


• SafeguardprimenatureconservationvalueofDalveichSiteofSpecialScientificInterest.

• Create a strategy and make the most of opportunities to protect, enhance and expand existing woodland in the lower glen and on to surrounding hill slopes; subject to safeguarding important grassland habitats and maintaining a careful balance between open space and woodland


215 Stirling Council Viewforth Stirling FK8 2ET

email: [email protected] text: 0771 799 0001 phone: 0845 277 7000 web: www.stirling.gov.uk

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Further Information

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Stirling

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