PICTURES: Culduthel Woods in Inverness celebrates community ownership with open day
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Culduthel Woods had a big surprise at the weekend when more than 100 people showed up to celebrate its grand reopening.
The green space was recently taken into community ownership.
Culduthel Woods Group (CWG) was set up as a charity in 2019 to look after the area, which had been neglected for some time.
Since then work has been carried out to improve the area, including the removal of a number of trees which were deemed dangerous to members of the public.
On Sunday the group welcomed the community into the woods for an open day to celebrate its transition to a publicly owned asset.
CWG chairman Murray Ferguson said: “It was phenomenal. The turnout was amazing.
“It was just fantastic.
“We’re going to have a little break but the next thing is to put up some signs to make sure people feel welcome and they realise it’s owned by the community.
“And then we’re looking at making some path improvements.”
He added: “People often worry when you say ‘path improvements’ that it will involve tarmac.
“But this will very much be woodland paths just to make sure it’s as acceptable as possible for as many people while maintaining the character of the woods.
“There’s been a lot of work to get it this far.
“It’s a small area but for the city it’s really important.
“It’s right across from the Royal Academy and I think there’s four other schools in the area.
“So we’re hoping to work more with them in the future and just make sure they can use it as much as possible and, if there’s any obstacles to them using it, then how can we help.”
The group took formal ownership of the woodland in May.
The woods had previously been owned by a housing developer but had become ownerless in more recent years.
Paralympic gold medallist cyclist Karen Drake helped open the woods after leading a cycle from a nearby school.
Inverness MP Drew Hendry and local councillors for the area were also present to help celebrate the big reopening.
Piping rang through the area thanks to Matthias Hamilton while activities came courtesy of Lochardil and Drummond Community Council, Stratherrick Scouts and Spokes for Folks.
Organisers hope to hold more open days in future as progress is made with their plans to rejuvenate the area.
The event was part of the Highland Climate Festival organised by North Highlands and Islands Climate Action Hub.
It is one of two hubs set up in Scotland in response to a Scottish Government call.
The climate festival ran from June 25 to July 3.
Joan Lawrie, Development Manager for the North Highlands & Islands Climate Hub said: “We’re thrilled to hear of the success of the Culduthel Community Woods Gathering and hope that success continues long into the future. It just goes to show the power of our communities.
"It’s been incredible to engage with Culduthel Community Woods and so many other organisations across Highland over the course of the Highland Climate Festival and we look forward to continuing to work together to take climate action through initiatives like the Highland Climate Charter which will be presented to the Highland Leaders Summit ahead of COP 27 later this year.”
Cllr Jackie Hendry, Inverness Ness-side added: “The Culduthel Woods Gathering was a showcase of what can be achieved through a vision and a lot of hard work.
"The woods are now able to be accessed by all, whatever age or ability and I was thrilled to be asked to take part in the celebrations.”
