Farm Regeneration Plan

Tree Planting and Woodland Management

We aim only to use native trees and so far have planted Oak, Hazel, Blackthorn (Sloe), Hawthorn, Scot`s Pine, Silver Birch, Rowan, Beech, Holly, Sweet Chestnut, Sea Buckthorn and Crab Apple. We are adding three of the tree species that were missing from our native tree planting, they were Juniper (planted 30 in Nov 22) and Aspen (planting 100 in early 2023) and Alder (planting 25 late Jan 23). We have used all of these trees to create nature corridors that double as shaded areas in summer and wind breaks in winter, example shown in picture above. I have planted over 440 trees so far this winter, with another 1000 plus still to go.

Nature Restoration Fund have granted The Glassie Bike Park a grant to do PHASE 1 of there restoration project on the farm where they have bike trails for all abilities of downhill mountain biker. We will be working with them to plant up to 1000 trees in newly created compounds this winter, these will enhance the core path area of the project by creating wildlife corridors.

We will be removing the non-native tree species over the next few years. The more commercial large Sitka Spruce that we have will hopefully be used to make timber cladding and posts / rails etc that we use on the farm, while the rest will be used as firewood once its seasoned. The smaller brash left will be used as shelter for all sorts of wildlife and as fungi food, as the fir woods are quite rich with a selection of fungi on the farm.

Meadow Creation and Wet / Water Development Areas

Between the mosaic of tree planting we are keeping a few meadow habitats. Some will be grazed by sheep for short spells, whilst others will be left alone to encourage voles and mice, which will in turn encourage kestrels and Barn / Tawny Owls along with other raptors such as Sparrow Hawks, Common Buzzard and Hen Harriers. This young barn owl picture below was taken when one of the young was seen testing his flying for the first time, he survived along with another from that same brood.

Other areas will be topped to give variation in grass lengths which wildlife and certain plants require to thrive. There will also be additional cycle and walking paths introduced through the site.

We already have a great pond established on site. But, we hope to develop a further three or four in areas that have natural springs coming to the surface all year round.

We hope to also put in a few leaky dams on the burns we have on our land, to stop the speedy flow of flood water to the houses further down its route. This will hopefully raise the water levels behind them to create a varied wetland area and therefore help to attract new and diverse flora and fauna many of which are being lost in our countryside due to intensive farming.

Footpath and Seating spot creation;

We have given permission for the P&K Core Path team to join up two footpaths by going through the centre of the farm, this is now what we call the Lower Glassie Circular Core Path, as the original route goes further up the track past the farm up to Loch Glassie and around to Weem Rock, this is now what we call the Upper Glassie Circular Core Path.

Our part of the Core Path is now having extra routes mown through the meadows which lead to prominant view points overlooking Aberfeldy. We have also supplied a few benches to provide rest areas with a view, the slabs for them to sit on were donated by Hughie Lambie a contractor from Aberfeldy. We are also working to create a small picnic area next to the bridge that goes over the Boltachan Burn, all of this is now in progress as you can see from the pictures below. There are 3 benches that are in place (or being re-furbished in the barn at present), but the areas around them require finishing with hardcore bases and small retaining walls and a few trees for wind breaks / shade and part of the nature corridor.

Organisations helping us achieve our Rewilding Goals;

Northwoods Rewilding Project; We have just recently become the 50th Land Partner within this foreward thinking organisation.

Perth and Kinross Nature Restoration Fund; we have been fortunate enough to be granted a fund to help us develop the Glassie Bike Park area (Phase 1), this will enhance the wildlife and create fantastic wildlife corridors along the Core Path area that goes through the site. The first of many nature restoration focussed projects for the site.

Mossy Earth; we have just had a site visit from the founders of this amazing organisation and are now in the process of working with them on hopefully a couple of exciting projects for the farm and nature. These are projects that include riparian planting and putting in leaky dams to enhance the biodiversity of the land, more to follow very soon...

Heritage Apple Orchard Development

We are currently in the process of planting a variety of apple trees across a 3 acre plot on the farm. The end goal is to start making apple juice and sell the apples, also to pass the surplus apples on to Wasted Degree`s Brewery so that they can make a cider from locally sourced fruits.

We have planted these old apple varieties so far, 2 tree`s of each, unless stated otherwise;

Winter 2021 - 2022;

Bloody Ploughman / Stirling Castle / Lass O`Gowrie / Tower of Glamis / Hood`s Supreme / Lord Roseberry / Cambusnethan Pippin / Ribston Pippin.

Winter 2022 - 2023;

Thorle Pippin / Midlothian Blush / Lady Sudeley / Stobo Castle / Coul Blush / Sunset / Beauty of Moray / White Melrose / Cutler Grieve / Worcester Pearmain / Arbroath Oslin / Port Allen Russet / McIntosh Red (4) / Katy (4) / James Grieve (1) / Fiesta (1).

Plums; This year we also planted x3 Early Rivers Plum trees, as a start to the plum collection.

Winter 2023 - 2024;

Heritage Apples wanted soon are;

Galloway Pippin / Hawthornden / Lady of the Lake / Lady of Wemyss / Siddington Russet / Cardinal / Tam Montgomery / Golden Monday / Golden Pippin / Love Beauty.

Around the farm we have randonly dotted apple tree`s, they are these varieties;

One of each; Elstar / Gloster / Delcorf; between house and guests parking.

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