The National Lottery-backed Climate Forth project is organising free heritage walks and talks at Kinneil Estate, Bo’ness.
Project officer Ella Duffield said the activities will look at how sites are responding to climate change and environmental challenges.
The free events are aimed at community groups involved in “managing a built or natural heritage site”.
Find more information on the Climate Forth (Inner Forth) Facebook page or the project website. You can also email: ella.duffield@rspb.org.uk
Events are taking place at sites across the Forth Valley, with two time slots for each location:
- Charlestown Limekilns: Wednesday 8 April – 10:30-12:30 (Nearly full) or 13:30-15:30
- Clackmannan Tower: Tuesday 14 April – 10:30-12:30 or 13:30-15:30
- The Helix/Kelpies: Wednesday 15 April – 10:30-12:30 or 13:30-15:30
- Kinneil Estate: Tuesday 21 April – 10:30-12:30 or 13:30-15:30
- Wallace Monument (ONLINE) : Thursday 23 April – 13:30-15:30 or 16:30-18:30
Ella said: “Each site will cover specific topics ranging from hilltop monuments and storm damage, biodiversity and conservation, and heritage ownership.
“For any groups who are interested, there will also be an opportunity to receive a follow up mentoring session with KSB (Keep Scotland Beautiful) to create their own climate adaptation plans.
“You can find more info on our Facebook (Inner Forth Landscape) or our website.”
“Please feel free to share this information with anyone who may be interested, and if you would like to attend, do get in touch to reserve a place as spots are limited!”
WALK AND TALK SESSIONS
April 2026
Kinneil Estate
An walk exploring the layers of heritage at Kinneil – from the house and Antonine Wall fortlet to industrial history and modern art. We’ll look at flood risks, climate adaptation, heritage growing/gardening, and how former industrial sites (like collieries and saltpans) are reimagined today. The session will also cover balancing tourism, conservation, and community priorities.
The Helix & Kelpies
A walk examining how the park balances modern landscape design with supporting nature and biodiversity. We’ll talk about cultural heritage and the mythological and industrial stories of the Kelpies, ‘smart’ canal engineering, and the impacts of rising visitor numbers. We’ll hear from the ranger’s experiences of new flooding and drought patterns to explore how parks and greenspaces adapt to changing weather.
Clackmannan Tower
A visit focusing on how climate change is impacting historic sites, especially hilltop monuments facing storms and subsidence. We’ll explore biodiversity (including species such as roosting bats), discuss caring for heritage sites and managing vandalism, and look at how the past and present industry of the region affects the Tower. We’ll also discuss how Historic Environment Scotland is trialling modern and traditional materials and methods to protect these places. Inside access TBC.
Charlestown Limekilns
A visit to explore how climate change is affecting coastal heritage and historic industrial sites. We’ll discuss the Inner Forth’s strategic importance in industry, the design challenges of exposed kilns, and how Historic Environment Scotland is experimenting with materials to protect them. We’ll also explore ideas on community benefit, heritage ownership, and local identity. Inside access TBC.
Wallace Monument (online)
This online session will explore the Monument’s surroundings, the skills represented in the wood carvings on the Abbey Craig, and the activism linked to this site. Using the panoramic views of surrounding landscape, we’ll chat about climate challenges in the local landscape, the balance between tourism and conservation, and how public ownership has shaped the Monument’s past and present.
Above sessions can be tailored to group’s topic preferences.
Please discuss with ella.duffield@rspb.org.uk in advance.
Optional follow-up sessions also available to create Climate Adaptation Plans.
Bo'net 