Improving access and interpretation at an internationally important peatland
Site
Plan
Audiences for site visits
Present audiences
Before the LEADER+ project work, visitors to Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve (NNR) were guided round the site by NNR staff. This is mainly due to the difficult and hazardous nature of the site and also due to the fragility of the habitat. These visitors mainly fall into the categories shown in the table:
|
Further Education Groups |
Guided Walks |
Open Days |
Demonstration Events |
Total |
|
2001 Attendees |
15 |
95 |
17 |
127 |
|
|
No. of events |
1 |
5 |
1 |
7 |
|
2002 Attendees |
99 |
28 |
100 |
27 |
254 |
|
No. of events |
5 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
11 |
|
2003 Attendees |
127 |
173 |
25 |
325 |
|
|
No. of events |
7 |
7 |
4 |
18 |
|
|
2004 Attendees |
85 |
29 |
190 |
18 |
322 |
|
No. of events |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
|
2005 Attendees |
114 |
25 |
121 |
260 |
|
|
No. of events |
5 |
3 |
10 |
18 |
Table: Attendance of different visitors at Flanders Moss NNR, 2001-2005
Potential audiences (listed in order of size of potential number)
- Tourist visitors - visitors often pass the Moss going between the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park (Balloch gateway centre 400,000 visitors/year), Stirling Castle (400,000/yr) and the Wallace Monument (143,000/yr); both the Stirling attractions highlight Flanders Moss in their on-site viewpoint interpretation. Traffic along roads either side of the moss increases by 50% in the summer months, with tourist traffic peaking at 700 cars a day.
- Local people - there has been much interest expressed in the site by local people. The open days already held on Flanders Moss targeted local villages and resulted in good turn outs (190 at the 2004 event). The nearby city of Stirling and town of Dunblane are an as-yet-untapped market.
- Further education groups from universities, colleges etc. Close links already established with Stirling and Edinburgh Universities with others making occasional visits. Again present lack of facilities has limited number of groups prepared to make the visit. (Schools will not be a target audience due to lack of basic facilities e.g. wet weather provision and toilets).
- Specialist interest groups (e.g. Scottish Wildlife Trust and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds members groups, local natural history and history groups). At present each year several of these groups that request visits are turned away due to the difficult ground conditions on site.
- Local organisations that might use the facility as a focus for their events or activities e.g. Stirling Council (rangers, LBAP officers), Scottish Wildlife Trust, BTCV, Butterfly Conservation.
- Local businesses - a link up with local businesses will bring benefits to both parties. Local tourist linked businesses have an interest in Flanders Moss with several mentioning the site in their advertising literature.
- Other bog managers - use of the site as a demonstration site for good (and bad practice) - 7 events already held.
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