An enhanced experience is in store for visitors to Gairloch and Wester Ross with a facelift for Flowerdale.  The project, which is underway and is due to be completed in the spring, is supported by Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE), the European funded Community Economic Development (CED) programme, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Forestry Commission Scotland.

Gairloch Estate has been owned by the Mackenzie family for hundreds of years, and is the Mackenzie clan 'homeland'.  The Estate has its historical centre at Flowerdale, which includes an 18th century manor house, some archaeological remains, excellent mixed woodlands and a system of burns, ponds and waterfalls.

Until about 50 years ago, these were managed by and for the estate but for the last 20 or 30 years, the levels of management going into the core Flowerdale estate lands has declined due to economic pressure, at the same time as public access has been increasingly encouraged.

RACE has assisted the project with funding of £8,607, with a further £7,950 from the CED programme.  CED is a partnership initiative that aims to target funds for sustainable development activities undertaken by communities most in need of support and is managed and distributed in Wester Ross by the Wester Ross Alliance. 

SNH provided £4,588 as part of its commitment to improving public access to important local natural heritage sites.  Forestry Commission Scotland contributed a £12,500 woodland improvement grant.

The construction of new paths and improvements to some of the existing paths has already begun. Dense growths of rhododendron and bracken are being cleared to improve lines of sight and bring in more light and derelict wire fences have been replaced with post & rail.

The project will also see the development of view points with benches to allow visitors to overlook Loch Gairloch, Charleston Harbour and to see across Flowerdale. Signs giving historical, environmental and view information will be erected, along with way-markers and the ornamental ponds will be restored to their former glory.

The project will enable Flowerdale to offer visitors a number of options from short, flat, low-level walks suitable for all abilities, to relatively steep climbs up to the waterfalls and beyond.  They will take visitors through one hundred year old plantations of exotic sample trees and past sites of interest such as the ice house and the ancient Island of Justice - the place where the Laird sat in judgement between the 12th-16th century.

There may be some disturbance at Flowerdale during the coming months while the work is happening, and at times access may be restricted or parts of the footpath closed.  Roger McDonald, the estate manager said: "We hope visitors will understand that this is necessary so we can provide them with better access and facilities and take full advantage of what this area has to offer."

Lloyd Gudgeon from the Wester Ross Alliance, said: "Flowerdale is a very popular attraction and we hope that these improvements will encourage even more people to visit the area.  This project will help increase the number and variety of activities on offer to people living in or visiting Wester Ross."

Nicola Ewing, a development manager at RACE added: "The project fits nicely with one of the CED programme's main priorities which is to promote green or cultural tourism and to support activities which sustain the local culture and heritage.  This is an excellent example of how the CED funds can be targeted for the benefit of locals and visitors alike."