Kingswells Community Council

ACC News 11/03/08

Aberdeen Lord Provost Peter Stephen will unveil the first of six information panels marking the gateways from local communities into the Bucksburn Valley.

A leaflet describing the paths, archaeology and wildlife in the area will also be launched during the event, on Wednesday [Mar19]. It will be available from local libraries and community outlets.

The idea is to promote the area through the provision of a path network map. Bucksburn Valley is an important green space in Aberdeen and can be easily accessed from Northfield, Sheddocksley, Bucksburn and Kingswells.

Bucksburn Valley has a long history of settlement. A cremation urn dating 6,000 years ago was found in the area. In the Middle Ages, the valley was linked to Robert the Bruce when it was used as a hunting reserve. Finally, the eighteenth century field clearance of stone led to the creation of large consumption dykes.

Spring flowers like lesser celandine grow in the valley and roe deer, buzzards and yellowhammers are regularly seen in the area.

Aberdeen Lord Provost said: "I am delighted to be promoting Bucksburn Valley, which forms an important green space within the city. As well as being rich in wildlife and archaeology, Bucksburn Valley offers an important recreational area for the people of Aberdeen."

Alister Clunas, of Aberdeen Countryside Project said: "The opening will be an important milestone to promote the recreational use of this area. This is a wonderful accessible wildlife haven on the doorstep of communities where roe deer and other animals can be seen. Access to green space has been shown to be beneficial in terms of people's mental and physical wellbeing."

This is an initiative from Aberdeen Countryside Project, which works with local communities to deliver environmental improvements to green areas within Aberdeen.

Aberdeen Countryside Project is funded by the Landfill Community Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage and works in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, Community Groups and others to deliver environmental projects.

Planner Rachel Sharp said: "Aberdeen City Council is keen to promote access to this area and welcomes the improvements in signage and interpretation. At present we are consulting over plans to further improve access between the communities of Bucksburn and Kingswells through the provision of a cycle paths. This will form an important cycle link for commuters, pupils attending Bucksburn Academy and recreational users."

ENDS

For further information please contact Alister Clunas, Aberdeen Countryside Project Chief Officer, on (01224) 711 129 or 07802 311024.