600 years on it’s still up to ‘sma folk’to save hill

Six hundred years after the Battle of Bannockburn where the ‘sma folk left Cambusbarron to walk over the historic Gillies Hill to win the day, it falls again to a group of dedicated folk led by their own trusty spokesperson Douglas Campbell to save the very hill from threat of destruction.

The hill is well used and loved by the residents of Stirling as well as visitors from all over the world. It is a haven of wildlife from red squirrels and pine martens to bats and palmate newts. Furthermore, it is renowned for it’s ancient woodland and heritage trees. Its loss would be felt be the many walkers, cyclists and equestrians who use it daily.

On June 24, Patersons Quarries Ltd decided that Stirling Council were not going to make a decision on their application to resume quarrying on Gillies Hill quickly enough and submitted a ‘Non-Determination Appeal’ to the Scottish Government. How did this situation come about?

This appeal will now be handled by a Reporter based in the Department of Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) who will consider the application from scratch, although he will take into account previous submissions made by Stirling Council and all the objectors who have written to the council and the thousands who signed petitions.

The hearing will take place on November 22 in Cambusbarron Community Centre at 10am and is open to observers. Supporters are, as always, asked to attend if possible.

The decision will be announced at a later date.

Marion McAllister, Save Gillies Hill