Forres volunteers, The Friends of Blairs Loch, raise thousands for site workshop
Volunteers raised £17,000 for materials to build a workshop at a popular nature spot.
The Friends of Blairs Loch (FoBL) recently used £10k from the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation, £1500 from the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme, £700 from The Village Café in Rafford, £500 from Forres Rotary, as well as small donations and proceeds from fundraising activities to construct the facility at the site they have transformed since 2017.
Treasurer Brian Higgs confirmed the majority of the work was done by volunteers, with contractors for certain technical and safety aspects.
He said: “As well as providing an excellent place for our volunteers, the new workshop will also be used for hosting green wood carpentry activities.
“This traditional craft uses hand tools to make things from undried, green wood.
“Funds donated by Tesco, the Village Cafe and Forres Rotary are being used for tools and equipment as well as to organise a training workshop in green wood carpentry.”
Once used as a trout fishery, boat hire stopped around 2005. The trails around the loch’s perimeter became popular with dog walkers and bird watchers, despite being overgrown, while the water itself grew overloaded with aquatic weed.
However, through the hard work of FoBL, the site has become a natural refuge for wildlife and a beautiful amenity for the local community.
FoBL have been working to reopen the water for trout fishing, extending the footpath network around the loch, refurbishing and redeveloping the boat house and adjacent buildings as a field study facility for schools and groups.
Brian said: “When the work at Loch of Blairs started, we only had one boat that was stored in the refurbished main boathouse, so we converted a second boat shed into a temporary store. The size and security of this old wooden shed was limited and, as we have aspirations to get a second boat, we needed an improved storage facility.
“Volunteers have used the car park outside the meeting rooms as a work area for maintenance and construction jobs. This was difficult when there were groups using the meeting room facilities. It also meant that the work of the volunteers was curtailed when the weather was inclement.”
The new workshop and secure store is near the boathouse buildings.
FoBL, who re-introduced 200 Rainbow Trout a year ago, are hosting a family open day on Saturday, September 14.
For more information visit https://blairsloch.com/
