Fife Council is currently attempting a rescue bid for a designed landscape in Valleyfield Wood.

A meeting of the council’s South West Fife Area Committee this week saw councillors told funding is needed to restore the area, otherwise the planned landscape will be in danger of being lost forever.

Councillors have agreed to but forward £6,000 towards developing a Heritage Lottery Fund application to meet the estimated £2m total cost of the project.

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Chair of the committee Bobby Clelland is delighted that moves are being made to help save the historic site.

He commented: "There are rustic bridges, an ornamental walled garden and canal, pine pits and a rustic arch that are slowly falling into decay in these woods which were once part of the Valleyfield estate.

"The founds of Valleyfield House, a gardeners’ cottage and an ice house are also on the site which could be a great visitor destination and local resource if they could be restored to their former glory.

"At the moment the site is in danger of being removed from the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes which is held by Historic Scotland and that could close off vital funding sources.

"I’m hopeful that by kick-starting this process through an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund that we can take this significant programme of works forward."

(IT)