From the Secretary, Dunblane Community Council

The Community Council has received comments/complaints from a number of people
about the lack of salting/gritting of the pavements and footpaths around
the town  Certainly some of those I use are quite icy  The road gritter
seems to have been round but pavements seem to have a lower priority.

We were not sure if the pavement gritter has been out - there is not a
lot of evidence that it has been.  Our chair, David Prescot, asked
Graham Houston, our elected member of the administration of SC and posed
the questions:

*  What has happened? - has the Council changed its priorities?

*  Given the priority being given to Active Travel and the critical
importance of avoiding fall injuries to reduce the load on our hospitals
(and reduce the risks of people catching Covid in hospital)  then
gritting and salting the pavements seems like a critically important
task.

*  I understand that some community volunteers have been out in places,
especially where there are vulnerable people but there is not a lot of
grit for them to use - and with DIY stores shut less chance of getting
some.

Alan Booth

From: Councillor Graham Houston

I also have had some people in touch with me and I did notice that the
pavement on the High Street  just at the library was particularly bad.

The pavement tractor has been doing the usual route in the early
mornings but I think it did miss one day last week and I am still
waiting to hear the reason for that.  I reported it at the time to Bruce
Reekie.

We moved to priority 3 treatment on Wednesday and as of yesterday we
will have had a period of 120 hours adverse weather and a 5 day weather
forecast predicting severe weather wintery conditions which means the
treatment moves to priority 4 routes.

Priority 4 routes cover the remainder of the public road network. Within
Priority 4 routes; priority will be given to locations such as difficult
junctions, gradients, bends or short, sharp incline, together with
reasonable lengths of carriageway adjacent to these specific problems.
I have asked Bruce Reekie if a drop of salt/grit mixture could be
deposited at the Millrow Car park for the public to help themselves as
it looks like this cold spell with be with us for a few days yet.

I attach the detailed policy covering the implementation of the various
priorities which I hope Is helpful.

Graham Houston

The Friends of Holmehill contacted the website team with an update about the new owners’ plans for Holmehill. Here is their email

We recently asked The Carman Family Foundation for an update as to what has happened over the last few month. The response from Bill Carman is below:

Over the last few months:

1. The Braeport meadow has been tilled and the seedling trees removed. 54 small-medium sized decorative trees have been planted in groups of 3, with 10 more (a bit bigger) to go. Some outlines of paths have been created - these will probably be finished with plastic matting and grass growing through the plastic.

2. The paths on the top have had leaves removed.

3. The paths going down to ground level have also been cleared to a reasonable state. We need to think of more permanent solutions.

4. The chip paths need an alternative surface - any ideas of what might look natural yet last for a few years? The weeds on either side have been dug out.

5. Some of the Scots pines have been eaten (rabbits?). They have been replaced and tubes now keep the rabbits out with wire mesh to keep the deer off them.

6. Around the grasses next to the tennis court we  have planted a bamboo hedge.

7. Wire has been put back into the metal posts of the old fence to stop people tumbling down the hill

8. 150 longer tubes were supplied by the Woodland Trust to replace the short tubes.

Next year jobs include:

1. Planning for a pond at the bottom of the meadows

2. Moving the shed next to the red lodge (or getting a new hut) for storage of garden equipment.

3. Planting snowdrops in february.

4. We are in discussions with people on types of plants to put under the new trees on the meadow. We want colourful plants of all sizes which will attract pollinators and birds. All suggestions welcomed.

5. Next year, we will roundup the edges of the paths on the top in April.

6. Putting Up a chain barrier to stop people driving on to the grass on top.

7. A few more "nice" trees for around the perimeter of the grass on top.

8. 4 carved benches will be made this Winter, 3 representing each primary school, using the wood we took off the hill 2 years ago.

Someone who currently works with me will be at Holmehill for 2 days per week from now (ish).

The Friends of Holmehill can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The Carman Family Foundation cab be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Text drafted by Pete Bicheno, Glassingall Resident

SEPA has not taken the witness statements they originally promised and instead they “….are continuing to conduct other enquiries into the events …”

From the Stirling Observer 18.11.2020

“A man has denied destroying a bat roost and the nest of a wild bird while carrying out demolition of a house on Stagecoch tycoon Dame Ann Gloag’s Glassingall Estate.”

“…David Kerr, of Cumbernauld, pleaded not guilty at Stirling Sheriff Court on Friday 13th November to offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 and the European Communities Act 1972. “

Trial has been set for April 22nd.

Since the fire another demolition company has been on site and spent almost a month clearing up. The council granted permission for the demolition in retrospect.

Interestingly Dame Ann Gloag has put in for planning permission for a similar development at Beauly as she is proposing at Glassingall. See the Inverness Courier : 20.11.2020

Approval was granted on 01.12.2020 See the Inverness Courier:

Earlier text from July 2020

NEW Police launch wildlife crime probe at bus tycoon's estate following blaze Stirling Observer Article from 27 July 2020

Read Stirling Observer Article from 25 June 2020

Article  below updated on 20 June 2020 - updates in Green

Some local residents on the Glassingall Estate sent a letter to Glassingall Estates Ltd in response to the demolition and burning of Glassingall House on the 11th and 12th of June. The full letter can be viewed here. A letter has also been sent to the Health & Safety Executive SEPA and the Council. SEPA has apparently responded and is now taking witness statements.

Glassingall Estates Limited is one of the companies in the Gloag portfolio. Dame Ann Gloag bought the estate over a year ago and a Pre Application Notification of Planning was submitted last year. This outlined a development of 135 chalets and an outdoor centre.

The local residents say that ‘the remains of Glassingall House appear to have materials looking awfully like asbestos lying around in the open in a fragile condition. Do not attempt to enter the area and please keep your children away. Asbestos is extremely hazardous and kills. People have been seen wandering around with their children within the fenced off area. This is a very bad idea. Please keep away’.

Here is a statement from Stirling Council

A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the demolition works at Glassinghall estate and can confirm investigations are underway.

“Demolition works of this nature are subject to statutory processes and require permission from the planning authority, in this case, Stirling Council. We can confirm no building warrant for demolition was requested from, or issued by, Stirling Council in relation to this work and we have taken immediate measures to ensure the site is safe.

“We are in discussions with the landowner regarding the submission of a building warrant to regulate the works already undertaken, and to cover the completion of the remaining unauthorised work.”

Here is a Tweet from Mark Ruskell MSP

NHS Forth Valley is now offering flu vaccinations to patients who will be aged 60-64 by 31 March 2021.

These will be held at the Albert Halls in Stirling from 7-10 December.

At risk patients who have missed previous clinics, plus those who are shielding and their households, are also invited to book an appointment.

Patients should phone 01324 614692 or 01324 616050 to book an appointment.

Due to a lack of resources, clinics will not be held at the Victoria Hall, but most Pharmacies, including both Bannerman's Pharmacies, are now also able to provide free NHS vaccines to eligible patients.

It was felt that most patients in this age group would be able to travel to Stirling, however, they also have the option to book an appointment at the local pharmacies if they prefer.

The Practice will also be offering opportunistic vaccinations to eligible patients if they are attending for other reasons, although we have only been allocated a small supply.

Sue Lawson
Practice Manager/eHealth Practice Champion, Dunblane Medical Practice
Direct Tel: 01786 820980