Pinclanty Forest
Upland
education site approximately 3 miles south west of Barr Village, South Ayrshire,
with
spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
Parking:
Limited parking at off road entrance gate. Car park
at the entrance to the forest
****Please ensure all gates are securely fastened****
No public vehicle access beyond the car park without prior
arrangement.
Access:
Formal access throughout the site with surfaced footpaths.
Some slopes may prove difficult for unaccompanied
wheelchair users. The Shorter looped route (learning trail) is accessible
from near the car park. Allow 1.5 hrs to walk
the full site circuit.
East Ayrshire
Woodlands are currently developing an upland education site at Pinclanty Forest,
near Barr
in South Ayrshire. This
has involved the creation of approximately 2.5km of access track into and
around
the forest, with new gates installed by the main road and at the entrance
to the forest.
Enhancement
work has recently taken place to increase the area of wetland within the site
and diversify
the existing habitat further.
We were
expecting a log cabin to be built by a 'contractor' by about 2006 but despite
our best efforts it is now 2011 and the task was obviously beyond his capabilities!
Entrance gate, access track creation &
new learning trail route
An education
learning trail is currently under construction, following a successful funding
application to the
Forest Education Initiative (FEI).
The trail,
which offers a new circular route from the car park, forms a magical and atmospheric
route
cut right through the middle of a young plantation and also comprises of a
bird box trail & tree trail with interpetive
plaques along the route. It offers learning opportunities in several curricular
subjects including;
Maths
Literacy
Art & Design
Environment
Learning trail worksheets and maps download here
East Ayrshire
Woodlands and the Ayrshire Cluster Group have been working closely with Careers
Scotland
and Barr Primary school to develop the learning trail. In addition, there
will be some informal woodland games /
activities around the route.
We also have a shelter under construction which will hopefully provide opportunities
as an on site
teaching room and a site for organised events, though this is not part of
the learning trail.
BTCV volunteers
New brashing for creation of new learning trail
route Tree trail interpretation
Learning trail contruction and wetland interpretation
panel
Installing learning trail posts and posts for rope trail
Learning
trail activities
Newly developed
Forest School clearing
Wildlife of Pinclanty - selected species
Black Grouse
Buzzard
Common Crossbill
Short-Eared Owl
Goldfinch
Redpoll
Roe Deer
Brown Hare
Song Thrush
Yipworld Survivor Project
The 'Survivor'
project was held at Pinclanty Forest in 2008 and 2009.
Click here for
further details and photographs.