WE RESTORE, MAINTAIN & DEVELOP COMMUNITY TRAILS

The Balquhidder Trail Crew (BTC) is a voluntary group that was setup in 2015 to maintain the network of paths and trails in and around the Balquhidder area. We focus on restoring, improving and maintaining the local woodland and hill trails, with a view to making them more accessible, safer and more robust for the enjoyment of the local community and visiting walkers and mountain bikers.

In 2016 the group was formally constituted as an unincorporated Trails Association and is now registered with Paths for All and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) who help and support us with our trail projects. We work in harmony with environmental advice and guidance the from the local National Park Rangers and in collaboration with local landowners including FLS (Forestry and Land Scotland).

We currently have a crew of about 30 volunteer members largely made up of walkers and mountain bikers who love and respect this natural environment. We use the structure of the association to regularly bring them together in small groups to maintain about 4-5 km of trails and primarily do 3 things:-

1. Clear paths and trails of windblown debris and cut back overgrowth to keep them safe and usable without significant hazard.

2. Repair wet and muddy sections, by solving trail drainage issues and strengthening trail surfaces with stone.

3. Improve trails by re-routing them away from boggy areas and onto drier ridges and, where appropriate, adding interesting features hand-sculpted out of the natural landscape for bikers and walkers to enjoy.

We use only hand-tools in our work which helps minimise environmental impact, and take great pride in ensuring that the end result completely blends into the natural habitat. It is a slow, time-consuming process that requires patience and perseverance, but the end result is a wonderful network of trails that both the local community and visitors can enjoy.

"We're all in it to ensure that this special natural environment remains safely accessible for locals and visitors, whilst being protected from erosion and damage."

Meet the Crew... a motley looking, but top bunch!

A handful are solid committed regulars. Some are casuals, most are 'very-occasionals' and there have even been a couple of one-hit-wonders, who have never been seen again... But none of that really matters! The key thing is that they have all, at some point, broken sweat for the cause... and thanks to every spade they've lifted and stone they've shifted, we have all got some great trails to enjoy in and around Balquhidder.

We're a friendly bunch, so if you'd like to come and get involved with the Balquhidder Trail Crew and help us develop this asset for all to enjoy CLICK HERE TO LET US KNOW. Once we get your details we'll add you into our WhatsApp group where you'll see who's heading out, what their doing, and when...

We'd love to have you join us...

The work of the BTC has played a key role in providing our local communities with PLACES to engage in healthy outdoor volunteer work, recreation and sport. From walking paths for local dog walkers and rambling groups to challenging downhill routes for keen mountain bikers, the BTC has created and now maintains a network of 4-5km of trails that provide an inspiring environment and place of natural beauty for personal enjoyment and recreational activity.

"We are proud of what we have achieved and delighted to find our work has been so actively embraced and used by so many locals and visitors." Iain Ramsay-Clapham (BTC Chair).

The BTC trails have also played host for a number of local events over the years from rural rambler group gatherings, right through to the Balquhidder Bike Fest, an annual biking event that has at times attracted over 250 locals and visitors to a fantastic day out of cycling, food, music and entertainment. This event has provided a great community occasion that engages local volunteers, young and old as well as attracting local and visiting cyclists.

HELPING SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

In creating A PLACE to visit for walking or biking we also pride ourselves on helping bring additional custom to the local businesses in the area. Whilst the economic impact is hard to measure we aim to attract visitors who will use:-

• The local cafe's and food stops such as Mhor84, the Broch and the Golden Larches.

• The local hotels and accommodation providers (too numerous to mention individually).

• The local bike hire centres and bike repair shops (Wheels in Callander, Comrie Croft and more recently setup on our doorstep, Roll Outdoors).