Honouring a Local Hero: The Opening of the Tom Mack Walk

This weekend, Menstrie Community Council officially opened the Tom Mack Walk in the community woodland. The new path celebrates the life 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.

The walk is a tribute not only to Tom’s legacy but also to the community spirit of Menstrie. Volunteers, the Mack family, and local organisations came together to create something lasting: a path through nature that invites connection, reflection, and discovery.

Our Connection

At Trees Not Tees, we’re proud that this project was partly supported by prize money donated from Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards, which our parent company, The Future Forest Company, won in recognition of its restoration work. Our fantastic ex-colleague, Jamie Adcock, chose to put that award straight back into the hands of the community, supporting local people and their green spaces.

The values behind the Tom Mack Walk resonate deeply with us. It’s about more than planting trees; it’s about creating places where people can connect with nature and each other.

Why It Matters

Projects like the Tom Mack Walk remind us that restoring nature isn’t only about numbers (trees planted, t-shirts avoided etc.) but about the stories and communities rooted in the land. When people come together to protect and restore nature, it creates something bigger than any single project.

A Lasting Legacy

We’re humbled to have played a small part in supporting the Tom Mack Walk, but the true credit belongs to the Menstrie community, the Mack family, and the volunteers who made it happen. Their efforts have created a space that will inspire, connect, and honour Tom’s legacy for years to come.