Worth A Visit

Flagstaff Heritage Tour & Trails Launched in Cockpit County


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Flagstaff Heritage Tour main trail

Flagstaff Heritage Tour and Trails (FHTT) was launched in a handover ceremony in Flagstaff, St. James on October 15th with a ribbon cutting at the new Visitor Centre by the Minister of  Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.

A joint effort between the Forestry Department’s Local Forest Management Committees, USAID/Protected Areas and Rural Enterprise Project and The Nature Conservancy, FHTT is a community based eco-tourism site based in the Cockpit Country.

The site features a new Visitor Centre with information on the Cockpit’s Country’s unique biodiversity and English, Spanish and Maroon heritage and a hiking trail into the Cockpit Country forest. There are future plans to develop a museum to house the many artifacts found in the area, a rest stop on the trails as well as two new trails.

Flagstaff is small town of approximately 1100 persons on the north west boundary of the Cockpit County, about one hour’s drive from Montego Bay.

Flagstaff is well worth a visit to experience the unique beauty and biodiversity of Jamaica’s Cockpit Country as well as to learn more about the region’s distinctive history.

For more information email flagstafftours@gmail.com or call 876-835-4629.

The artifacts display in the Visitor Centre
The artifacts displayed in the Visitor Centre
The recetly trained tour guides lead a tour of the Visitor Centre

The recetly trained tour guides lead a tour of the Visitor Centre

Flagstaff residents enjoying the festivities
Flagstaff residents enjoying the festivities
Artifacts display
Artifacts display
Flagstaff residents
Flagstaff residents
Flagstaff Wood Carver Floyd Palmer (right) and friend
Flagstaff Wood Carver Floyd Palmer (right) and friend
Gift shop hostesses Rose McGhie and Tandene
Gift shop hostesses Rose and Tandene
Accompony Drum Maker
Accompong Drum Maker, Mas George
Vendors selling locally produced ceramics with the Cockpit Country logo
Vendors selling locally produced ceramics with the Cockpit Country logo
Shaw Castle Drummers performing at the ceremony
The Shaw Castle Drummers and Dancers performing at the ceremony
Cockpit Country potter, Garfield Williams (right) and friend
Cockpit Country potter, Garfield Williams (right) and friend
Vendors in the craft village
Vendors in the craft village selling Maroon Pride banana chips
The Cockpit County Artisans Cooperative was recently formed to market local products
The Cockpit County Artisans Cooperative was recently formed to market local products
Chukka Tours reps sampling the local cuisine
Chukka Tours reps sampling the local cuisine which included Maroon specialties such as cacoon drops and duckunoo
Vendors at the craft village selling locally produced jams and sauces
Vendors at the craft village selling locally produced jams, sauces and wines. Wines included yam, apple, ginger and cabbage wines.
Aunty V's restaurant, the local cook shop
Aunty V's restaurant, the local cook shop in the town square
The vistor centre under construction
The Visitor Centre under construction with gift shop (right bottom), restrooms (right back) and bar (left bottom)
Local tour guide demonstrating how to blow a make shift abeng
Local tour guide demonstrating how to blow a make shift abeng
Flagstaff kids
Flagstaff kids at play
Flagstaff vista
Flagstaff vista
Road to Flagstaff from Maroon Town
Road to Flagstaff from Maroon Town
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17 Comments

  1. July 13, 2019 at 7:11 pm — Reply

    Good initiative, not enough on hiking in the Blue Mountains

  2. April 7, 2016 at 12:48 am — Reply

    If you desire to get mujch from this post then you havfe too apply such techniques to your won website.

  3. […] Flagstaff-heritage-tour-trails-launched-in-cockpit-county Tweet This Post […]

  4. […] project, is an outgrowth of other cultural preservation efforts made by the CCLFMC, such as the Flagstaff Heritage Tour and Trails […]

  5. […] trails, caves, great houses, and tours. Also, see information about Flagstaff’s newest tour: Flagstaff Heritage Tour and Trails launched October […]

  6. […] trails, caves, great houses, and tours. Also, see information about Flagstaff’s newest tour: Flagstaff Heritage Tour and Trails launched October 09. Cockpit Country […]

  7. January 1, 2010 at 2:21 pm — Reply

    […] 1.  Flagstaff  Heritage Tour and Trails Launched in Cockpit Country […]

  8. January 1, 2010 at 2:21 pm — Reply

    […] 1.  Flagstaff  Heritage Tour and Trails Launched in Cockpit Country […]

  9. December 31, 2009 at 4:39 pm — Reply

    […] 1.  Flagstaff  Heritage Tour and Trails Launched in Cockpit Country […]

  10. Betty Wilson
    November 5, 2009 at 1:59 pm — Reply

    Is there a Kingston outlet for the ceramics, jams, wines, etc.? That would be great for those of us who can’t visit regularly. The products we have sampled are very good.

    • November 5, 2009 at 5:37 pm — Reply

      Great idea!

  11. November 5, 2009 at 9:59 am — Reply

    K,

    Great work on this. How is Mike G. doing? Is there still a way to get up on top of Gun Hill- that would be a great addition to the tours.
    J.

    • November 5, 2009 at 11:11 am — Reply

      Not sure if you can get up to Gun Hill- will check on this. Mike G. is doing great!

  12. Paul
    October 26, 2009 at 2:53 pm — Reply

    I grew in the ’70s going the New Testament Churche in Flagstaff, and the neighbouring Maldon Primary School,down the road. I am now making the connection between the exquisite beauty and uniqueness of this area and my choice of career: A teachers of Geography! THis project is a dream come through for many including myself. It is golden!

    • October 26, 2009 at 11:28 pm — Reply

      How lucky for you to grow up in Flagstaff, such a beautiful place!

  13. Paul
    October 26, 2009 at 2:50 pm — Reply

    I grew going the ’70s the New Testament Churches in Flagstaff( and Garlands), and the neighbouring Maldon Primary School,down the road. I am now making the connection with the exquisite beauty and uniqueness of this area and my choice of career: A teachers of Geography! THis project is a dream come through for many including myself. It is golden!

  14. Betty Wilson
    October 21, 2009 at 4:18 pm — Reply

    Very interesting. We plan to visit soon. B. & D.

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