Ochils Landscape Partnership

The Ochils Landscape Partnership (OLP) area occupies the northern section of Clackmannanshire roughly from the River Devon up into the Ochil Hills, and from Blairlogie Old Kirk in the west to Muckhart in the east. The area, focusing on the southern escarpment of the Ochil Hills and the Hillfoots villages (Muckhart, Dollar, Tillicoultry, Alva, Menstrie and Blairlogie), contains a diverse landscape comprised of rugged glens, rapid water flow, meandering streams, carseland, peaks, upland grazing, natural sponges, planted and ancient woodland, designed landscapes and small built-up areas.

The Ochils Landscape Partnership, comprised of nineteen local organisations, aims to increase access to the hills and glens of the Ochils, improve the quality of the rivers, and restore parts of the historic built landscape. The project provides opportunities for community involvement and volunteering to tell the story of the area's cultural, social and industrial heritage. It aims to enhance the lives of people in the Hillfoots and also to increase visitors to the area.

The £2.26 million project, which runs until 2014, is a landscape partnership scheme with the lead funder being the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project has also been funded by EDF Energy, Clackmannanshire and Stirling Environment Trust, Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust and Clackmannanshire Council, with contributions from the University of Stirling and National Trust for Scotland on specific projects.

Together, the OLP and the Centre are providing bursaries for four Centre M.Res students to undertake research on various aspects of the landscape and environment of the OLP area.