End of an era for Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape Partnership (CALLP) in Sutherland
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A group that has facilitated a range of landscape improvement and educational projects over the last five years has begun the process of winding up its current phase.
Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape Partnership (CALLP) covers over 750sq km of land and sea in north-west Scotland, and is coming to the end of its current funding.
It has delivered a programme of over 30 projects, supported though the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a range of other funders.
It has now said goodbye to all but two of its staff team who will continue for the next few months to support delivery of remaining projects, and completion of the reports and evaluation of the scheme.
Education managers Kat Martin and Fiona Saywell, along with training, events and volunteer coordinator Vickii Campen, crofting and rural projects coordinator Anne Campbell, and woodland manager Elaine MacAskill, are moving on to other things.
Ms Campbell is to become the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s crofting officer while Ms MacAskill is woodland manager with the Woodland Trust.
Manager Boyd Alexander and assistant manager Laura Traynor remain in place for now.
Projects have so far included upgrading and creating almost 13km of paths, including routes over the mountains of Quinag and Suilven; nearly 600ha of native woodlands planted and managed; training programmes for deer management and crofters; schools work with all ages; artists- in-residence; guidebooks and interpretation created; habitat surveys and citizen science projects.
Mr Alexander said: “We are very proud of what has been achieved through CALLP over the last five years.
“Much of that success has been down to the hard work and dedication of our staff team, who have worked closely with our local communities and organisations to help them deliver so many fantastic projects on the ground.
“We wish them every success with their future plans, and want to say a huge thank you.”
Although this phase of its work is ending, Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape as a whole is most certainly not it has been claimed.
The partnership has a 40-year vision for the area, and is currently looking at a number of options of how best to take that forward.
In the meantime, a number of projects are still being finalised, because of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
These should all be completed by the end of the year.
To find out more visit the CALLP website at www.coigach-assynt.org, or follow the partnership on Facebook or Twitter.
