Projects
The most obvious signs of our recent activity are the interpretation boards and waymarkers, all bearing the Balloch Riders logo, as well as those of our sponsors. The Forestry Commission has installed these and has also diligently cleared the tracks after the heavy snow of the past winter. We are very grateful to them.
These relatively short tracks and trails are creating links with existing routes so the wood will continue to offer educational and recreational opportunities whilst timber harvesting takes place.
The Group has already constructed a pretty path, Balloch Burn (of approx. 1 Km) through young trees, with a bridge over the burn. This is a circular route offering easy walking and lovely views.
A track completing a ride over the top of the Balloch, Cairn Gow, has also been constructed, providing a lengthy route of moderate difficulty, but with the reward of fine views of several counties on a clear day.
In addition, there are new links creating a route from the Bin Forest to the Balloch, through Brownhill and access at Sittinghillock. These form part of a long distance path from Huntly to Keith. Funding for these projects has been raised from Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership, through the support of Huntly & District Tourist Action Group, Marr Area Partnership and Awards for All Lottery Funding.
Our latest project, the Cantly Canter, largely funded by HIE Moray and Scottish Natural Heritage, has restored an old trail of approximately 2 Km through the woods. It runs East/West parallel to the most northerly hard forestry road, providing horse riders, walkers and bikers with a quiet alternative route safe from timber harvesting activities. Another similar track of 1 Km is being restored by clearing brush and improving drainage on the south eastern end of the forest at Bickermoss. Creating links to existing paths and trails, it will offer a variety of routes for all users. Work on this is currently "on hold" until drainage is improved.
