Dighty Heritage Trail – The Story So Far Dighty Connect Stories Session 12 November 2013
Andy Llanwarne (in absen)a – apologies)
andyllanwarne@hotmail.com
Why a “Dighty Heritage Trail”? Lots of historical sites Industrial heritage Folk memories Stories of people and how they lived • Transforma>on into today’s easily-‐accessible spaces for recrea>on and wildlife • Educa>onal opportuni>es for the young and not-‐so-‐young • Dundee Local Access Forum very suppor>ve • • • •
Brainstorming at Dighty Connect workshop in Douglas – 18.08.09 Univ 3rd Age knowledge
Paths for All
Jogging
The Mills
Artworks
KS L A W
Outdoor performances
Linear Park
Flora & Fauna Bird-‐ watching
KEY:
Theme
Cairngorms NP, Angus Glens Exis>ng ini>a>ve or resource
Community & Group walks
Travel Ac>ve Around Dundee Core Paths
Coastal Route, Green Circular Long-‐distance paths
Ranger Services
Access Officers Country Parks
Sidlaws, Glamis, Kirriemuir, Forfar Topic or opportunity
PossibiliRes agreed August 2009 • BeSer promoRng exis>ng walking opportuni>es along the Dighty corridor • IdenRfying gaps in provision of paths and seeking to address these • Looking into new developments which may affect public access to the Dighty • Developing routes along the Dighty as an integrated whole, linked to core paths network, circular routes and long-‐distance footpaths • Iden>fying cultural, historical and environmental features to add interest and link to other projects • Links to neighbouring path networks
Geographical linkages
Newtyle
Sidlaws
Dundee
Coast
Monifieth
• The Dighty runs through northern and eastern Dundee to Monifieth • Links with exis>ng Green Circular, Heritage Trails in Dundee & Monifieth, coastal path • Discussed with paths groups in Newtyle & Sidlaws since 2009 – Opportuni>es to develop links – Chance to learn from their experience
Historical associaRons • One of the “Dighty Connec>ons” • 42 sites of industrial ac>vity iden>fied on map in Monifieth “House of Memories” – Mills, bleachfields, manure works, tram depot at Monifieth
• Best represented at Tro_ck
ExisRng provision already very good! Much along Green Circular Parks at Fintry, Mill o’ Mains Tro_ck Ponds paths & wildlife Adjacent to Caird Park New signage with WIAT in Broughty Ferry, Drumgeith etc • STRIDE map for walking & cycling • • • • •
What is proposed A 16 page A4 booklet • Covers & introduc>on = 4 pages • 6x double-‐page spreads describing sec>ons of the trail • Each with: – – – – – –
route direc>ons & sketch map points of interest people’s stories in a nutshell parking & bus services toilets & play areas links to more detailed info
The SecRons to be covered 1. Country sec>on Lundie Craigs to Baldovan Bridge via Bridgefoot (c. 10km) 2. Baldovan Bridge via Tro_ck to Forfar Road (3.3 km, but 2km if star>ng from Emmock Bridge) 3. Forfar Road to Drumgeith (2 km) 4. Drumgeith to Baldovan Road (Sainsbury’s) (2km) 5. Baldovan Road to Arbroath Road / Panmurefield (difficul>es over access to Dighty) (2 km) 6. Arbroath Rd/Panmurefield to Balmossie StaRon (2 km)
•
Opportuni>es for circular walks & bike rides will be shown
Links for more detailed informaRon • Booklet limited in size – lots to try and include! • Detailed material can be held on Dighty Connect website • Provide links to other sources e.g. Monifieth Local History Society • Inves>ga>ng use of QR codes and GPS to provide details via smartphones
Access and route difficulRes • Main Dundee gap at Linlathen (east of Sainsbury’s) – Green Circular beside Arbroath Rd – Iden>fied in Core Paths Plan (no 22) – Linlathen East bridge now restored but hard to get to! – Discussions on building a path, at an early stage – grazing & bridging issues – Also, where to cross the Arbroath Rd?
• Lack of access also at Baldovan end • Maintenance a problem at some loca>ons – especially with hogweed
InformaRon Sources • Research carried out by student Sam Wears in 2011 • Avril Wilkinson’s research for Dighty Connect in 2011 • David Drummond’s material on historic buildings • Whilield History Group • History of bleachfields & mills from Enid Gauldie disserta>on • Monifieth Local History Society • Nine Incorporated Trades website • Published histories of Dundee (but they’re mostly on the old city, not the Dighty valley)
Any contribuRons please! Other contribuRons welcome (e.g. need to get info on wildlife – plants & animals) environ.project@dundeecity.gov.uk andyllanwarne@hotmail.com