GREEN SPACE PROJECT  In October 2018, Boarhills and Dunino Community Trust acquired an area of land and 17th century B listed dilapidated doocot in Boarhills. The purchase of the land was achieved under Scottish Government’s Community Right to Buy legislation, and with financial support from the Scottish Land Fund and Fife Council, in order to make a community green space. Details of the Green Space Project are set out in a Business Plan obtained by the Trust from consultants SKS Scotland CIC (see link below to view). The Green Space Project includes the purchase of the land, clearing and landscaping of the site, planting trees, hedges and flowers, creating an orchard and picnic area, providing interpretation and signage, and restoring the doocot. The land is immediately adjacent both to the village of Boarhills and to the Fife Coastal Path, enabling walkers on the path as well as locals to enjoy the site, its heritage, and use of facilities such as benches and picnic tables which will be provided as part of the overall project. The project will: provide an accessible, attractive space for people and wildlife run regular events, workshops and activities provide relevant information and interpretation for local people and walkers restore the doocot and make it accessible recruit and engage a wide range of volunteers with the project The 17th century doocot is of national heritage importance and local importance to the community. It is presently in a dilapidated and unsafe state that necessitates it being fenced off for the safety of people entering the site. Restoration of the doocot will make it safe for people to access the whole green space. The restored doocot itself will be made fully accessible to all who visit the site, free of charge. BDCT commissioned an architectural feasibility study and thereafter obtained a specification of works (with drawings) for the doocot restoration from architects Simpson and Brown. These have been put out to tender and three competitive quotes obtained. This has allowed the project to be costed accurately, and funding applications to proceed. Listed Building Consent is currently being submitted. Together with Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, the location has been identified as an important hub for those wishing to walk adjacent sections of the path, particularly as it is readily accessible via public transport. To this end, BDCT will work with FCCT to provide orientation information at this point as well as information boards about the doocot. The doocot will be a feature of interest to locals, tourists and walkers alike. The Trust through the work of community volunteers has now cleared the land of scrub and rubbish, planted hundreds of daffodil and snowdrop bulbs, planted the orchard and hedge, fenced off the doocot and made the site tidy and accessible. Over 240 volunteer hours have been committed to the site to date in transforming it. |
Click here to see a sketch plan of the site.
Please click here to see the full Business Plan for this project.
For further information and images, please click on the link below to access
the Canmore site , which contains details of the historic environment around Scotland.
https://canmore.org.uk/site/34407/boarhills-dovecots
WALKS AROUND BOARHILLS AND DUNINO
The Trust has produced 2 leaflets containing details of walks covering the Boarhills and Dunino areas. Each leaflet describes local points of interest, information about the wildlife and a detailed map of alternative routes. these are available at the Tourist Information Centre and on request from the Trust’s email: bd.com.trust@btinternet.com.