An ancient Renfrewshire woodland is to be bought from its private owner and fall into the hands of the community after a major cash windfall.
The Teucheen Wood close to Inchinnan will be restored, with new routes to improve public access.
The Inchinnan Development Trust has just been awarded £71,851 by the Scotland Land Fund.
And with £50,000 from Renfrewshire Council, is allows the trust to seal the deal.
Iain Nicolson, the local councillor and council leader, said: “There was a strong desire by the community for action in response to the sale of the Teucheen woods on the open market and creating an uncertain future.
“We are delighted that the work is being recognised nationally, it’s an excellent example of a development trust being rewarded for being engaging and speaking openly about their ambitions and the ambitions for their local community.
“We will continue to support Inchinnan Development Trust into the future”
The news is a coup for the development trust, which had already launched a survey on people’s views for the wood.
And they simply announced: “We got the funding for Teucheen.”
The group wants to developed plans for the forest with the village’s backing.
It’s thought there has been a wood there for a thousand years.
In 1164 a force of 15,000 men under Somerled were attacked and defeated as they crossed the river, the fiercest fighting taking place at Teucheen Wood or Blood’s Mire, as it is sometimes called.
It spans nearly 15 acres off Old Greenock Road and is currently owned by the Blythswood Trust.
The trust will restore the wood to its former glory and encourage wildlife and local people back into it.
The Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan, said: “All across Scotland, communities are taking ownership of the land and buildings that matter to them with the support of the Scottish Land Fund.
“I know how hard people will have worked to develop their projects and to achieve this success, and I look forward to seeing the benefits.”
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