Ross-shire kite centre up and flying!
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A ROSS-SHIRE visitor attraction which allows the public to watch the antics of a successfully reintroduced bird at close quarters has been opened officially.
Tollie Red Kites near Dingwall was established in 2010 as a partnership between RSPB Scotland and the Brahan estate.
Since that time, a viewing facility has been established, based on a derelict farm building on the estate.
The project, backed by support from the Highland LEADER fund, was this week hailed as a great example of co-operation in balancing environmental management with public access.
Alex Matheson of the Brahan Estate said: “We are delighted to be able to host the excellent Tollie Red Kite centre on the Brahan Estate. It gives school groups, tourists and local residents the opportunity to watch the red kites feed and conduct their spectacular aerial displays.
"It is a wonderful good news story that we hope will highlight what can be achieved when we all work together and balance varied land use, public access to the countryside and good quality environmental management.”
George Campbell of the RSPB said: “The reintroduction of red kites to the Black Isle has been one of the conservation highlights in the North of Scotland of recent years. These are truly beautiful birds and I am delighted that Tollie provides visitors and local people with an opportunity to see the birds at close range in such an attractive location."
He paid tribute to the Brahan Estate, the team of volunteers who help to feed the birds and look after the facility, and to funding partners who include Highland LEADER, SSE, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Government.
MSP DaveThompson, who officially opened Tollie Red Kites, said: “I am delighted to be present at this opening. It is great to see this level of co-operation between a private estate and the RSPB. I believe that Tollie will become a very valuable facility for educational purposes and will help to bring people closer to nature. My congratulations to all those concerned.”
Every day the red kites are fed by a team of local volunteers – at 2.30pm during the summer months and at 1.30pm when the clocks change.
More information on Tollie Red Kites is available at: www.rspb.org.uk/tollieredkites
