A New Chapter for Menstrie: Celebrating the Opening of the Tom Mack Walk

This weekend, Menstrie Community Council officially opened the Tom Mack Walk in the community woodland - a beautiful new path created to honour the memory of Tom Mack, a much-loved local whose lifelong passion for the outdoors inspired generations of young people. Back in the 90s, he helped secure the community woodland for the village.

Our Small Role in a Big Community Effort

We at The Future Forest Company are proud to have played a small part in bringing the Tom Mack Walk to life. Part of the project was supported by prize money from Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards, which we donated directly to Menstrie Community Council. The idea was simple - invest the award back into the community, into the people and green spaces that make this place thrive. 

This wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of our former colleague Jamie Adcock, whose efforts helped turn funding into action. But the real credit goes to the Menstrie community, the Mack family, and the dedicated volunteers who poured their time and energy into building the Walk - including Bob Stark, EPIC trustee, and Josh Thornhill from The Conservation Volunteers.

Why This Matters

For us, restoring nature isn’t just about trees and carbon. It’s about connecting mosaics of habitats - woodlands, meadows, wetlands - and also connecting people to those places. Because solving the biodiversity and climate crises is going to take a village, proverbially and literally. 

The Tom Mack Walk is a shining example of what happens when people come together: a path that celebrates history, enriches the present, and safeguards nature for the future.

Looking Ahead

We’re humbled to stand alongside the people who call these hills home, and proud to have supported this project in a small way. The Tom Mack Walk is more than just a woodland path - it’s a living tribute to community spirit, a reminder of the power of local action, and a beacon of what can be achieved when we work together. 🌄