A new plan to attract funding to the Kinneil Estate in Bo'ness has been endorsed by Falkirk Council's Executive Committee.

The Kinneil Estate Masterplan outlines opportunities for the park, which features Kinneil House and dates back to the 15th Century.

Councillors were told proposals within the plan could lead to a transformation of the site, which covers almost 200 acres, and includes a cottage used by inventor James Watt, the ruins of a medieval church, plus remnants of a Roman fortlet, once part of the Antonine Wall, now part of a World Heritage Site. The John Muir Way and a National Cycle Route also run through the estate.

The masterplan was drafted by Falkirk Community Trust following consultation with the public, council officers and key stakeholders, including Bo'ness Community Council, The Friends of Kinneil charity and Historic Scotland.

The plan outlines key proposals and ideas including:


• relocating Kinneil Museum to Kinneil House, as part of a larger restoration plan within the House

• improving Kinneil Woods and setting up mountain bike trails

• developing new opportunities for play and exercise

• improving natural habitats; and

• improving interpretation, signage, access and car parking – as well as links to the neighbouring Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway.

Councillor Adrian Mahoney, Falkirk Council's spokesman for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: "The plan echoes many ideas supported by different groups and organisations within the local community. Some of these won't be achieved overnight.

"However, with the support of the plan, we can hopefully attract much-needed external funding to take some of these proposals forward. Kinneil Estate is an important site with huge potential."

He added: "Since the plan was drafted last year, a few projects have already started – such as the critical work to crop some ageing parts of Kinneil Woods, as well as efforts to consolidate the ruins Kinneil Church, which have been vandalised in recent years. These have been supported through a range of funders, including the Heritage Lottery-funded Inner Forth Landscape Initiative."

A report by Falkirk Council's Director of Development Services Rhona Geisler said: "While promoting the strategic conservation of key aspects of the estate, the masterplan also highlights the need for change and transformation. The starting point has been that the site does not presently optimise its location and does not fully reflect the changing role of parks for local people and visitors alike.

"Part of the intended transformation is to include a series of innovative and well marketed visitor experiences and informed and inspired re-interpretation of the estate's unique heritage."

(IT/JP)