Draft Mugdock Strategy 2022-27: Appendix 1 - Visitor & Stakeholder Engagement Summary

Visitor numbers to Mugdock Country Park and the adjacent area were at an unprecedented level during 2020 highlighting existing vehicular and pedestrian pressures on the landscape and its neighbouring road infrastructure.

Appendix 1 - Visitor & Stakeholder Engagement Summary

Introduction 

The Country Park comprises a number of key parts:

  • The Stables Visitor Centre & associated facilities
  • Mugdock Castle
  • Craigend Castle
  • Mugdock Wood and SSSI’s
  • Walled Garden
  • WWII Gunsites

The aspiration for Mugdock Country Park’s future is that all these constituent parts work together and with their adjoining communities to increase the overall visitor offer. Careful planning and site wide management is identified as key to maximising potential and user experience. Engagement is seen as providing the opportunity for users to guide this development of a future Masterplan for Mugdock Country Park . In December 2021 visitor and stakeholder surveys were created and advertised through a variety of social media channels, the Country Park website, through Park staff outreach to communities and on site. The surveys were live from 20th December 2021 until 5pm on 17th January 2022. Surveys were further supported by online Stakeholder Workshops encouraging further discussion of the key issues at play.

A total of 1834 responses were received to the Visitor Survey and 12 responses to the Stakeholder Survey.

On this page you will find information on:

Visitor Survey Responses

How do you travel to the park?

pie chart showing the percentage of participants who answered each travel method

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How far do you travel to visit the Park?

under 5 miles 53%, between 5-10 miles 38%, between 10-50 miles 8%, over 50 miles 1%

 

 

 

 

 

                             

 

How often do you visit?

annually 3%, quarterly 22%, monthly 43%, weekly 32%

How long do you usually spend at the park?

under 30 mins 1%, 30 mins to 1hour 8%, 2 to 3 hours 32%, 1 to 2 hours 53%, half day 7%

Where do you live ?

glasgow 19%, stirling 5%, west dunbartonshire 2%, east dunbartonshire 74%

If East Dunbartonshire or Stirling which town/village are you from?

The highest proportion of people noted were from:

  • Bearsden 478
  • Bishopbriggs 160
  • Milngavie 310
  • Kirkintilloch, Milton of Campsie, Torrance, Lenzie and Strathblane also had high numbers of respondents

What do you think are it’s 4 key strengths/ most important reasons to visit?

natural environment 1581, woodland / wildlife 1222, ecological value 401, scenic value 994, activities 1072, park ranger activities 93, events 70, indoor and outdoor spaces 48

What do you think are it’s 4 key weaknesses/ issues that need to be addressed?

bar graph showing the number of responders who indicated each weakness

Developing a clear plan of action is vital. In summary the Mugdock Country Park Strategy 2022-2027 proposes actions to:

  • Reinforce Heritage elements – building upon existing core facilities to enhance setting and maximise place value and impact
  • Enhance facilities & activities - to better support Events use and generate increased income
  • Improve legibility – through rationalisation of entrance and connections to key routes
  • Improve biodiversity through developing projects across the Park – aiming to maximise the benefits to the natural asset
  • Secure Investment – to deliver improved quality of facility & service throughout
  • Introduce at least ONE new attraction or facility - to add to and strengthen the visitor offer
  • Provide full access – for all user groups, to ensure no one is excluded
  • Build meaningful experience - through more & improved Education & Interpretation

Do you agree with this strategy?

yes 90.5%, no 9.5%

Stakeholder Workshop and Survey

During December 2021 and January 2022 three Stakeholder Workshops were held to provide a forum for wider discussion about initial Mugdock Country Park thoughts

Workshops were held on:

    • Thursday 16th December 2021, 3-4pm (6 attendees)
    • Wednesday 12th January 2022, 11-12pm (15 attendees)
    • Friday 14th January 2022, 10-11am (12 attendees)

Attendees invited included:

    • Councillors
    • Community members eg Milngavie Community Council, Strathblanefield Community Council
    • Council officials and staff from both EDC & SC
    • Mugdock Trust
    • Audit Scotland
    • Mugdock Staff
    • Mugdock Traders
    • Other interested organisations eg Milngavie In Bloom, Scottish Water, Caledonia Water Alliance, NatureScot, HES, Friends of Mugdock Reservoir, Strathblane Community Development Trust, Police Scotland, Landowners

Stakeholder Survey Responses

Significant discussion was held at the end of each presentation with diverse views expressed in line with pre workshop expectation. A Stakeholder Survey was shared post attendance to facilitate further comment. The data gathered is as follows: 

Which sector do you represent?

public sector nearly 60%, private 0%, voluntary between 15 and 20%, other 25%

What is your main focus currently in relation to Mugdock Country Park?

natural environment 50%, historic environment between 5 and 10%, visitor services between 20 and 30%, other between 10 and 20%

Do you visit the park yourself within your leisure time?

yes 100%, no 0%

How do you travel to the park?

walk between 30 and 35%, car between 65 and 70%

How far do you travel to visit the park?

under 5 miles between 55 and 60%, between 5-10 miles between 15 and 20%, between 10 to 50 miles between 15 and 20%, over 50 miles between 5 and 10%

How often do you visit?

weekly nearly 60%, monthly between 20 and 25%, quarterly between 15 and 20%, annually between 15 and 20%

How long do you usually spend at the Park?

how long

Where do you live?

bar graph showing the percentage of people who answered with each area

What do you think are it’s 4 key strengths/ most important reasons to visit?

bar graph showing the percentage of people who answered with each strength

What do you think are it’s 4 key weaknesses/ issues that need to be addressed?

bar graph showing the percentage of people who answered with each weakness

Do you agree with this strategy?

yes between 55 and 60%, no 0%, please advice us of any suggestions between 40 and 45%

Of the respondents who did not select ‘yes’ the majority were supportive of key principles but points were raised about the detrimental effect of more visitors to Mugdock’s sensitive infrastructure.

Tell us which you support?

bar graph showing the comments and ideas that people support

Mugdock Country Park provides a well loved and greatly appreciated destination with a wide range of facilities available to all visitors whether local or those from further afield. The level of response received reinforces this.

Survey responses will be used to guide the development of the Mugdock Country Park Strategy 2022-2027 and will greatly assist in the development of wider Masterplan level proposals.

East Dunbartonshire Council will continue to engage on all levels with users and seek further consultation, once proposals have been developed as key to Mugdock Country Park’s future success.