‘The People and Nature of Wild Strathfillan’ is one of two main programmes being delivered by Wild Strathfillan partners. Through this workstream, Wild Strathfillan is supporting community connections in and with the area’s outstanding natural and cultural heritage.
Strathfillan
In the north of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, the Strathfillan landscape is a special place with a rich natural and cultural heritage. The communities of Tyndrum, Crianlarich, Inverarnan and Killin have deep roots in the land, shaped over centuries by clan histories, trade and travel, old droving routes, and a past full of mining, farming and railways.
Sustaining communities
Today, the Strathfillan landscape continues to support a patchwork of multiple land uses including hill farming, sporting activities, and forestry that sustain local livelihoods. Like many rural areas in Scotland, Tyndrum, Crianlarich, Inverarnan and Killin face issues such as population decline, limited access to services, and a shortage of secure employment and affordable housing, which can make it harder for young people and families to stay in the area. Employment opportunities are often seasonal, and while tourism brings important economic benefits, visitors can also place pressure on local infrastructure and sensitive habitats.
People are at the heart of the Strathfillan and Killin landscapes, and with Wild Strathfillan, we want to make sure nature restoration happens hand-in-hand with our communities and brings real benefits to them.
Development Phase: 2023
In January 2023, Wild Strathfillan received development funding from NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund to support initial engagement with land managers and community partners, surveys, and feasibility studies. From this and ideas taken from the Local Place Plans, a programme of projects was developed, and a diverse partnership of experienced stakeholders was created.
Delivery Phase: 2024-2026
We have secured £250,000 from National Lottery Heritage Fund to help us deliver ‘The People and Nature of Wild Strathfillan’ until December 2026.
Our aims Our core aims are to:
- Help people build new skills through learning, training and volunteering
- Support opportunities to identify, connect with and share the area’s rich heritage, from local stories to special habitats
- Improve the condition of both natural and cultural heritage
Wild Strathfillan is working to restore nature across the Strathfillan landscape through carefully planned and coordinated efforts. Learn more about the aims of our ‘From Lochside to Mountain-top’ programme here.
Our activities To achieve these aims, Wild Strathfillan partners are delivering lots of exciting projects. These include:
Lifelong learning: We’re creating a range of opportunities for people of all ages to learn new skills and get involved in Wild Strathfillan. These skills can help individuals feel more confident in understanding and caring for the landscapes around them. We’re running training sessions and workshops for local residents and volunteers, covering topics from Invasive Non-Native Species identification to conducting bat surveys! We’re also working with Killin and Crianlarich Primary Schools, McLaren High School, and local colleges and universities to give pupils and students real-world learning opportunities linked to the local environment.
Celebrating and connecting our communities: Through our Stories of the Land project, we’re gathering oral histories from local people, helping to record memories that might otherwise be lost. These stories reflect the deep but changing connections between people, place, and nature, and we’re finding ways to share them with the wider community. We’re supporting with The Old Mill in Killin, as it continues to develop as a thriving arts and heritage hub. Wild Strathfillan is also supporting the established Walk in the Park group in Killin and Strength and Balance classes in Killin and Crianlarich.
Have photos of Killin, Tyndrum, Crianlarich or nearby? Help preserve local heritage by sharing your past and present images with the Stories of the Land digital archive, by emailing them to [email protected].
Enabling engagement with nature: We’re supporting more opportunities for people to spend time in nature locally, while also making sure that special habitats are protected for the future. We’re raising awareness of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and encouraging responsible access to these places. We’re also bringing a nature and heritage focus to some of Walk in the Park’s group walks in the area.
Discover more and get in touch and read our new 2025 report here!
- You can find out more about the volunteering opportunities we have available here.
- Sign up for our newsletter here.
If you’re interested in events and training opportunities, you can get in touch with us at [email protected].
This project is supported with thanks to National Lottery players, by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.