The Galloway Glens Scheme will be supporting a suite of projects in the landscape of the Ken/Dee Valley, from Carsphairn in the north to Kirkcudbright in the south. Over the next few months, Northlight Heritage and a team of specialists in landscape studies will be working closely with communities in the area to better understand the local landscape and what makes it unique.
The team plan to take a holistic approach, integrating geology, bio-diversity, archaeology, history, folklore and many other strands, to create a fuller understanding of the overall picture of the landscape. This process, known as Landscape Character Assessment, is customary in all Landscape Partnerships that have been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, currently numbering around 100 across the UK.
The Landscape Character Assessment includes two main elements. A formal data gathering exercise has already begun, which will bring together information from a range of national and local organisations such as Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland. This process is designed to build a picture of the natural and cultural assets of the area which are protected or designated, such as Listed Buildings.
Alongside the more formal elements, the team will also be out and about as part of the Sights & Sites community engagement programme. They are keen to find out which places and views are important to local people, through a series of informal drop-in workshops and events across the area. ‘Landscape’ is interpreted in its broadest sense – not just as traditional views and scenery but as how people relate to it, changes to it in the past, present and future, and family connections to the area. The report will be freely published and available to all and promises to be a genuinely interesting review of the local landscape.
If you would like to learn more about what we are doing, have stories that you think explain why the landscape is special or want to champion any local features, please feel free to come along!
The initial Sights & Sites events will be held at four locations. They are very relaxed affairs – come along anytime for a cuppa and a chat
| Castle Douglas | Community Hall, 10th February 10am – 4pm |
| Kirkcudbright | Tolbooth museum, 11th February 10am – 4pm |
| Dalry | Town Hall, 17th February 10am – 4pm |
| Carsphairn | Village Hall, 18th February 10am– 4pm |
All events are free of charge and no booking is required. If you have any queries or want to contribute over the phone, please call a member of the Northlight Heritage team on 0845 901 1142
