We were delighted to host the Sustaining Choices community consultation event at the Eskdalemuir Community Hub on Thursday 5 December, bringing together residents for a day of informative and engaging activities. The event included:

• A guided 2km walk up Bessie’s Hill, led by Matt Ritchie, archaeologist from Forestry and Land Scotland. Participants explored the area’s unique history and landscape, gaining valuable insights into Eskdalemuir’s heritage while enjoying beautiful views.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• A talk: “Time Travelling: the Search for a Creative Archaeological Narrative”, presented by Matt Ritchie.

• A pottery session, facilitated by ceramic artist Ruth Elizabeth Jones. Attendees had the opportunity to create their own terracotta vessels and figures while learning about Eskdalemuir’s pottery traditions.

The primary focus of the event was to engage the community in discussions regarding walking/wheeling routes within Eskdalemuir. Attendees provided valuable feedback on a range of topics including:

• Ideas for creating a local walking group
• Factors that discourage walking and potential solutions to address these barriers
• Suggestions on what could make it easier and more enjoyable for people to walk more frequently

We extend our sincere gratitude to the wonderful volunteers who made this event possible.

Share your thoughts

If you couldn’t attend, we still want to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to complete our online survey. Your feedback is vital for creating a Local Walking Action Plan for Eskdalemuir.

Complete the survey here