Balmacara Woodland Park

Balmacara Community Trust (BCT) considered the potential acquisition of the
former Balmacara Campsite, which is of significant recreational and
environmental value to local people. The site is 22.74 acres and includes
established natural woodland and grassland, with several burns and an existing
derelict building. Most of the woodland on the site is classed as long
established and of plantation origin.
The process was through a Community Asset Transfer and required the Trust to
undertake research and establish opportunities for the site and then make a
formal approach to Forestry and Land Scotland, through an application,
requesting them to consider selling the site to the community. FLS reviewed our
application which contained a clear proposal and a business case that
demonstrated that the plan will assure self-sufficiency through effective
management, is supported by the community and will be in keeping with the
area.
This work has now completed, and the Trust was successful in its efforts to
purchase the site, and May 2025 saw the process pass the site ownership over
to BCT.
The Trusts aspiration for the site include:
 Maintaining community and public access to the woodland walks.
 Provision of public toilets.
 Redevelopment of some of the campsite infrastructure.
 Provision of a BCT office and storage.
 Inclusion of a flexible low impact community events space.
These aims were established through a comprehensive community consultation
exercise.
The Trust needs to mitigate the financial risks and liabilities of the campsite to
assure sustainability, site maintenance and upkeep. Generating an income
becomes an essential requirement of ownership.
The Trust business plan looks to:
 Upgrade the existing building to house the BCT office, meeting rooms,
bathroom, small kitchen, externally accessible public toilet and laundry*
as well as storage facilities.
Feasibility work, including structural surveys and options appraisals, has
completed and was funded by the Scottish Land Fund. The Trust looks to
make its decisions on the preferred option and then seek capital funding
for the work.
 Maintain public access across the whole site.
 Establish a presentation / performance area.
 Implement tree and wildlife conservation and management measures
across the whole site through a Woodland Management Plan.
 Varied events and activities for people to enjoy.
 Increased volunteer opportunities
* The laundry provision came from the Old Mill Hall restoration consultation
exercise. Moving this to the campsite leaves more room at the hall site for that
heritage restoration project, whilst the potential for more use would come from
the campsite.
A range of surveys have been completed including flood risk, topographical and
arboricultural assessments that will feed into the Woodland Management Plan.
These were funded by HIE and the Scottish Land Fund.
The Trust will employ a full time Development Officer to help with this work, 1
year being funded by the Scottish Land Fund, as it seeks further funding to
retain the post.
The Development Officer will explore the opportunities to reinstate some form
of camping on the site as an income generation opportunity.
The Trust will be rebranding the site as Balmacara Woodland Park and
reinstating the bridge that was closed by Forestry and Land Scotland for safety
reasons.