Latest Developments
On 24th April at a meeting of the "Task group" chaired by Drew MacFarlane-Slack we discovered that Arjo Wiggins own the whole of the Oak wood between the Drum Fada estate and the sawmill. On the large scale map this area has the name Cnoc nam Faobh. From here on we will be seeking to give this wood similar protection to the pine wood at Tom Giubhais.
After a meeting of the steering group on 20th Dec. we applied to register a company limited by guarantee. We received our registration documents on 27th Febuary 2006 and we are now formally incorporated as Kilmallie Community Company number 297851. We are now actively asking residents to complete applications for membership. Forms can be obtained from the secretary Paul Biggin. So far we have a membership of 140 but the more the merrier. The next step will be to register with The Scottish Executive a "Right to Buy" if the woodland area is put on the market. Details of draft Memoranda and Articles
A tree preservation order for the Tom Giubhais pine wood is now in place.
History
The photograph shows the pinewood as it was about 1954 - unless someone can say the date more accurately. There may be more pictures out there so if you have anything of interest it can be copied to the web site.
"A Description"
Many but not all Corpach residents know about “The Fir Wood” in Corpach. Locals who were brought up in the area will have spent childhood days playing in it. It lies at the back of Guisach Terrace on the slope leading up to Druim Fada Hill. On the Ordanance Survey map the wood has the name Tom Giubhais. As seen from the local shops and from the canal and from to seaward and further away the mature pine forms a significant element of the Corpach landscape.
The wood gives considerable pleasure to those who use it. The woodland is predominantly Scots Pine with mixed hardwoods of Oak, Birch, Rowan and Holly. Some of the Scots Pine are 100 years old and surely the aim must be to keep them another 100 years. The woodland has been used with the owners agreement for recreational purposes by the local community particularly those of Guisach Terrace when it was owned by Cameron of Lochiel. This arrangement continued after Wiggins Teape acquired ownership of the site in 1964 as part of the building site for the Farrow Drive houses and also when the company became Arjo Wiggins Ltd. It has access and a ‘Right of Way’ passing through it to the crofters common grazing on the open hill
Unfortunately as most of us are well aware the Arjo Wiggins company has just closed the papermill site and is in the process of disposing of its associated assets and the Tom Giubhais Wood comes under these. Many of the Corpach residents are aware of this and are concerned about the future of “The Fir Wood”. A notice was put up in the Post Office calling for an open meeting to which 26 Corpach residents attended on 23 September in the Scout Hall and discussed what could be done to conserve the future of “The Fir Wood”. From this a Steering Group was formed and four meetings have since followed where we explored and progressed the different options for the ownership and management of the wood. We have made Arjo Wiggins aware of our interests and taken advice from Highlands & Islands Enterprise as well as Forest Enterprise and hope to have further discussions with them soon. Our objectives are to keep the wood more or less as it is, to protect it from development and to encourage its continued use by the public. One option being considered is to take over ownership of the wood and manage it. To do this it has been necessary to form a ‘Kilmallie Community Company’ run by the community based on guidelines laid down by the H & I E. It is most important therefore if the possibility of ownwership of the wood was to come to the community we can demonstrate we have the backing of local people and a measure of the support for the project. For this we require your help by becoming a member of the company. The main duty of members will be to take an interest in the wood and to inform Steering Group Members of their opinions and suggestions. It is a limited liabilty company so your liablity is a maximum of £1.
Cnoc nam Faobh (Drum Fada) Oak Wood
Arjo Wiggins also own the oak wood between Drum Fada estate and the sawmill. It has a footpath laid through it leading from the main road up to the top of Lady Margaret Drive and then around the outside of the graveyard. The strip owned by Arjo Wiggins extends from the main road up to and around the graveyard and is a mixture of bare ground, oak, birch and alder.
It is the steering groups view that we should also manage this area if the opportunity arises.
Members of the Corpach Wood Steering Group are;
Paul Biggin, John Ireland, Angus Kennedy, Ian MacIntyre, Elizabeth Hamling, Angus McPhie, Steve Hemm, Ossie Veitch.
