Stayz offers the best alternatives to hotels. Congratulations to Cameron Murray, one of our apprentice Forresters, who has just been shortlisted for Lantra Scotlands Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills. Surrounded by lush green trees. The 59 is the first Bus that goes to Doune Ponds Car Park in Stirling. Doune Ponds is a local nature reserve in the Perthshire village of Doune near Stirling. However, there is more than one way to access the North Pond, but it, unfortunately, had a large puddle and looked muddy. Doune Ponds were developed on the site of an old sand and gravel quarry, and since 1982 have been developed as a nature area by Moray estates, and Stirling Council. 4382714 in England and Wales, Please click "Accept" to use cookies on this website. Vic has thought of everything and it feels like youve stepped back in time. Congratulations to our apprentice Forrester, Cameron Murray! A family volunteering session was held in Doune Ponds on Saturday afternoon on just about the first dry day in Doune in what seems like weeks. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Moray Estates Estates Office Berryley Darnaway Forres Moray IV36 2ST T: +44 (0)1309 672213 . There are lots of fun activites including welly whanging, coconut shy, storytelling, willow weaving, bug identification, dog agility and not forgetting delicious home baking and hot drinks. It then became an inaccessible and unkempt . I also share personal stories, live event reviews and more. News . Full details of our achievements and future plans can be found in the Management Plan 2014 2024, The majority of work carried out at the ponds is by a group of dedicated volunteers, who have committed time and energy to making Doune Ponds what it is today. The Estates Tornagrain project has been featured in an article in The Critic following a visit by their architecture feature writer Charles Saumarez Smith. Our aim is to improve the visitor experience without spoiling the natural woodland effect. Formally an old gravel and sand quarry, Doune Ponds has been transformed into a charming woodland by local volunteers. Bakewell Road This is where most visitors head to get lovely views of the pond and feed the ducks! River Tay Public Art Trail | Wheelchair Accessible Walk-in Perth, Scotland, An Accessible Trail Through Devilla Forest, Linlithgow Loch, A Wheelchair Accessible Walk in West Lothian, Scotland, Visiting The Japanese Garden at Cowden In A Wheelchair, Forest Holidays: Wheelchair Accessible Silver Birch Cabin Review, Blairgowrie Holiday Park Review: The Perfect Wheelchair Accessible Caravan Holiday. Its fantastic that these changes have been made, as it honestly makes such a difference and I know other wheelchair users and their families will appreciate this too. This event is always very well attended by families and we always give out lots of chocolate eggs! Good interpretation boards. At the moment Struthers & Scott Vets are also using this area to run dog agility classes. Accessible parking was close by. Your email address will not be published. A family volunteering session was held in Doune Ponds on Saturday afternoon on just about the first dry day in Doune in what seems like weeks. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. From there, Doune Community woodland group was formed with all work being carried out by local volunteers. Where is your favourite wheelchair accessible walk? A couple of good viewing platforms above the water and accessible bird hides. Click here to be the first to rate this area with 1 to 5 stars, View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces. Local events often take place at Doune Ponds and partnerships have been formed with several organisations, such as Paths for All, Saving Scotlands Red Squirrels and Froglife. Forres This website uses cookies to provide better customer experience. The large overgrown pond was restored by . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Doune Ponds History The nature and amenity area of Doune Ponds has seen both geological change and land use change in its lifetime. It was full when we arrived but its quiet enough to park on roadside. The 59 is the last Bus that goes to Doune Ponds Car Park in Stirling. Most of the network of pathways are wheelchair accessible and there are benches placed around the reserve for resting and enjoying the surroundings. Kate Jessup was a volunteer with Stirling Conservation Volunteers and spent many years working at Doune Ponds. The community group have raised more than 50k for projects and maintenance. Doune Ponds is a useful beginners' site with picnic area and hides. Again it was lovely and peaceful with no one around except the ducks and their young ducklings happily swimming around. We also try to organise Volunteer Days throughout the year, to encourage the community to get involved with the work done at the ponds. More details on Doune and Deanston Community Plan November 15, 2022 Doune Angling Club was founded in 1876. Doune Ponds (Jane Sumner) Exiting the Information Centre turn right along Balkerach St, and then turn right into Station Wynd. They may even have been carved by a chainsaw from trees. 0 comments. Registered Company No. Id love to hear from you. Free cancellations on selected hotels. The business is managed with a commitment to improve the economic, environmental and social health of both the estates and local communities through the encouragement of sustainable economic activity. We will be enjoying lots of family picnics at Doune Ponds now. Alternatively, you can download a Clue Sheet here. See our wildlife gallery below. Dont forget to bring your own chocolate eggs, as unfortunately we cannot hand any out this year. The only area of the Doune Ponds walk that we did not venture into was the North Pond. A donation box is positioned at the entrance/exit if visitors wish to donate. Rate this route (0) A moderately hilly circular walking route, approximately 4.5 miles long. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Estates Office The Meadow areais where you will find a beautifully crafted fox bench and in the summer months it is filled with wild flowers (including wild orchids) and butterflies. You have to be signed in to leave a comment. It was a good length (not too long but not too short) with smooth paths that were manageable in my power wheelchair. Use this video for you fish pond idea's. Subscribe for my channel-- https:. I also share personal stories, live event reviews and more. During our two hour visit, we were lucky if we saw more than three people. Your email address will not be published. Thanks again. We are undertaking a public scoping process as we review the Doune Estate Long-Term Forest Plan, (part of Moray Estates). T: +44 (0)1309 672213 They can be contacted via The Information & Heritage Centre, 61-63 Balkerach Street, Doune, FK16 6DFTel 01786 841250. The area around the North pond has been left quite rugged for those who want a more challenging walk. Many community events also run throughout the year. In 2016, four cygnets were born and went on to grow into young adults before leaving the ponds. Pond installation is available in Dunblane and also nearby in: Bridge of Allan, Doune, Blackford, Greenloaning, Fishcross, Kippen, Thornhill, Causewayhead, Blair Drummond, Braco, Cambus, Gargunnock, and in these postcodes FK15 0HN, FK15 0JY, FK15 9AE, FK15 0DN, FK15 9AS, FK15 0FH, FK15 0PD, FK15 9AZ, FK15 0DG, FK15 9AT. Many areas of Doune Ponds has been left to grow wild while others feature manmade structures created from twigs to encourage bio-diversity. Estate Managing Director Andrew Howard has written for the Press & Journal on building the types of communities we wish to live in today. To help with bookings, call our support phone number:1-877-202-4291 . Come along to Doune Ponds between 2nd and 11th April and take part in our Easter Egg Hunt. The site is 16 hectares (40 acres) in size with underlying geology of old red sandstone. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We're updating our website with any closure/access details and info for residents near the # B818 and # Balfron is online now.. Just click the "Road Access" tab here: The Doune Ponds Fairy Trail is now open and what a great effort has been put into it this year. A Family Fun Day is also held in August/September time. Book a great hotel near Doune Ponds with our price guarantee. Kids ranged from nearly 2-7 and they had the best time out in the garden and thought the house was very cool. Doune Ponds is managed by Doune Community Woodland Group. We would ask visitors, please do not feed the ducks bread, there are lots of healthy alternatives swan and duck food is available to buy at the local Information Centre, but porridge oats are a good alternative. A couple of good viewing platforms above the water and accessible bird hides. Moray Estates participated in the Doune and Deanston Community Plan workshop in Doune on 10th November providing information on the Doune Long Term Forest Plan. Doune Ponds. The group meets every Wednesday morning to carry out all manner of maintenance tasks as well as major projects. I promise no spam. So its always great to find new wheelchair accessible walks in Scotland like our recent discovery of Doune Ponds. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Scotland has so many beautiful places to explore that youd never be short of places to walk while taking in the landscapes and scenery. Demolition of the old jetty and building a new and improved viewing platform. We also run community weekend volunteering sessions for anyone who would like to attend. Check out these amazing, inspiring and most beautiful backyard ponds in the world. T: +44 (0)1309 672213 We are undertaking a public scoping process as we review the Moray Trust Long-Term Forest Plan, (part of Moray Estates). A fishing cormorant, hidden ducklings and what I think is one of our young Moorhens. Doune Ponds is a useful beginners' site with picnic area and hides. View in full screen mode, with heaphones, spatial audio does not translate over speakers. Thank you, Nina. Book your Doune Ponds, GB holiday home online from AU$ 108/night. E: administrator@morayestates.co.uk, 2023 Moray Estates All Rights Reserved. We enjoyed visiting and will definitely return, most likely with a picnic (weather permitting) and with our nephews. Take the next road on your left which brings you out at the car park. Moray The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". . Coppicing involves felling trees and clearing the undergrowth with the aims of providing a useful product and creating a more diverse habitat. This is where you will normally see our resident heron hiding in the reeds. Clue sheets are available on our Facebook page and from Doune Information Centre. My mission is to show you the possibilities of accessible travel through my travel guides, tips and reviews. Have you visited Doune Ponds? Please remember to follow all COVID rules, including keeping a safe distance from one another. This is a free event, but donations are welcome and go towards the upkeep of Doune Ponds. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Looks like we can learn from your visit as you said there were no wheelchair accessible picnic tables. There must be busses to Doune from Stirling. Lambs. The event, organised by the Doune Community Woodland Group and sponsored by Moray Estates, as well as the Co-op and Tesco, drew unexpectedly large crowds with approximately 300 local children taking part. Required fields are marked *. Doune Ponds, . E: administrator@morayestates.co.uk, 2023 Moray Estates All Rights Reserved. IV36 2ST Doune Ponds is beautiful and we will definitely be back again soon. Until 2014 the Ponds had been managed by Stirling Council through a management agreement with Moray Estates, who owned the land. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. A lovely Autumn walk around Doune ponds, through the woods. Doune Ponds enjoyed great weather on Easter Sunday for the now traditional Easter Egg Hunt. Doune is near Dunblane, 30 miles north of Glasgow, and is on a regular bus route. Doune Ponds was managed by Stirling Council until the agreement ended in 2014. We are undertaking a public scoping process as we review the Moray Trust Long-Term Forest Plan, (part of Moray Estates). Lambs. It stops nearby at 06:40. Overall season: 1st February - 31st October. Brightfield Business Hub All of our events are free entry, however people can make a donation if they wish and these funds will go towards the upkeep of the ponds. info@froglife.org, Froglife is a Campaign title for The Froglife Trust Wintery . Following community planning workshops in Doune and Deanston recently, Moray Estates provide further information on potential developments at the Three Corner field north of Doune. Ducks on Doune Pond. Search and compare 306 places to stay close to Doune Ponds. The area consists of 40 acres of woodland and water, including an all abilities path network providing easy walking access where you can see lots of wildlife. In 1903 the western part of the ponds was utilized as a part of the Doune Golf Course which operated until the Second World War. Darnaway Doune Ponds, a former sand and gravel quarry right in the centre of Doune, is now a Local Nature Reserve. So much was the demand that Rory McLeod, the Estate Manager at Doune had to make an emergency trip to the Co-op in Doune to replenish supplies of eggs and to the office to print more clue sheets. & Doune Castle Walking route mapped by Active Stirling 6 years ago Starts near Doune, GB MORE ROUTES NEAR HERE. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The wooden deck has level access so I was able to drive on without an issue. Hi Eric. Formally an old gravel and sand quarry, Doune Ponds has been transformed into a charming woodland by local volunteers. Catherine and Mack at Doune Nature Reserve. Haddington, United Kingdom 22 contributions 16 helpful votes. Well signed to avoid steps. The Teith Beat is 1.4 miles (approx.) Doune Woodlands employee wins top student award. Allowed image types are jpeg,png,gif Moray This review is especially helpful for those who have or use the following: Walking Aid, Wheelchair, Powerchair, Mobility Scooter. We are delighted that Euan Tomes, who works for Doune Woodlands, one of Moray Estates woodland enterprises, was awarded top student at the Scottish School of Forestry, UHI Inverness in 2022 by the Institute of Chartered Foresters. Trout season 15th March - 6th October. You will see the Doune Ponds car park on the left. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. They are fun and I think kids will love them including the fairy doors and painted rocks scattered throughout the forest pathways. Doune Ponds is a local nature reserve in the Perthshire village of Doune near Stirling.