Following Balmacara Community Trust’s consultation (conducted by SKS Scotland CIC) with the community and its valuable drop-in sessions which have resulted in positive support to pursue an application to buy Balmacara Campsite, BCT has submitted an application to Forestry and Land Scotland applying purchase the site. This is within a process known as Community Asset Transfer.

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The Trust hopes to buy the site for benefit of our community and those enjoying the woodland area. This will mean that those using the site most and enjoying the area would have a guaranteed say in its future and ensure that the site can continue to be enjoyed. The beautiful outdoor space would be used for activities and events for everyone and the Trust owning the land will protect this valued local amenity and ensure it is nurtured and maintained for generations to come.

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As a result of Balmacara Community Trust buying the site, we will be able to rent out an area of the site to Reraig Caravan and Camping who would manage the camping and motorhome facilities and provide the investment for the infrastructure. However, BCT would oversee the whole site as its owners. Reraig Caravan and Camping would like to work with the Community Trust in return for a leasehold of an area for a small campsite. Their concept being a small-scale, well managed development with minimal impact on the environment and existing wild spaces.  This website is intended to serve as a point of reference to illustrate the proposed development.

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The proposal is in keeping with the Trusts aspirations and the community consultation exercise, bringing back an area of the site as a campsite which does not impose on the natural beauty and ecosystems that are thriving, whilst the whole site will continue to be fully accessible for walking, cycling, dog walking and other recreational activities throughout the year.

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BCT hopes to introduce events and activities on the site whilst improving the woodland areas for everyone to enjoy. The Trust aspires to establish a Forest School and other activities for people to partake and enjoy, developing the unoccupied dwelling as rentable office and meeting space, add a small laundrette and public WC’s. It also hopes to use the natural feature of the lands gentle slope for presentations such as small music events or displays / performances. We hope the land will become a self – sustaining community space that we can all take pride in as its custodians. There will be increased volunteering opportunities to help manage the site on our Board’s as well as helping to maintain the wonderful area.