THE Ochils Landscape Partnership (OLP) has moved on to the next stage of its work on the Historic Kirkyards Trail.

It is seeking contractors to begin work on the trail which will ‘connect’ all six historic kirkyards in the Hillfoots – plus private burial site Tait’s Tomb – with interpretation boards.

Ahead of construction work starting a variety of conservation, vegetation clearance and data recording tasks have been carried out by OLP officers and volunteers over the past few months.

Tree removal and pruning work, where necessary in some of the Kirkyards, has also now been completed by contractors.

Ian Gillies, OLP’s project officer, said, “Our team, led by Susan Mills and aided by a number of dedicated volunteers, have worked very well together right through the winter to carry out the data recording and other tasks in the kirkyards.

“We have been working with a conservation architect; a quantity surveyor and a structural engineer who have helped us draw up a schedule for the conservation repair work which will be carried out by specialist firms.

“We are now at tender stage with a number of companies. This work will also cover the Ice House in the Ochil Hills Woodland Park – it will be made safe and accessible so that visitors can make an appointment to view this unusual heptagonal shaped structure.” The Historic Kirkyards Project is a central part of one of the OLP’s three main programmes.

Called ‘The Hills of Time’ this programme explores and promotes the natural, built and cultural heritage of the entire Hillfoots area through interpretation and delivering a number of events, workshops and training.

For more visit www.ochils.org.uk