Drumbrae to be the first of several sites for new woodland development in order to tackle carbon emissions and benefit local nature.
The University of Edinburgh has purchased 430 hectares of land at Drumbrae. The land is in the Ochil’s, just North of Bridge of Allan.
The University plans to create a new woodland area on the site. They are hoping that the project will remove carbon from the atmosphere, increase biodiversity, connect woodlands, improve recreation and scenery for local communities, and preserve cultural heritage sites.
Surveying of the land started in Winter 2022, with the University launching a formal consultation with the local community. Last summer operations started on the site with ground preparation and fencing. Tree planting is expected to start in 2025.
The project team have been working closely with local groups, schools, and community organisations to provide opportunities to get involved with outdoor learning, seasonal events, and volunteering.
They have also been working closely with the Future Forest Company, an organisation which has already benefitted local wildlife by planting 340,000 trees at their site on Dumyat.
45% of the site will remain as open habitat which will allow specialised species of flora and fauna to thrive in the area. However, connecting some of the more established areas with the new woodland has unique benefits for the local wildlife.
Additional woodland cover is likely to benefit the population of the much-loved red squirrel by creating new habitats. More canopy cover means fewer open spaces to cross, which could reduce their risk of predation.
The project is dedicated to monitoring and protecting local wildlife. A number of ecological surveys have been carried out on the site, and have identified 34 species of bird, 8 species of butterfly, and 2 rare species of plant.
Archaeologists have also made some discoveries in their exploration of the Drumbrae boundary, we’ve unearthed an array of historical features, revealing 48 unique sites that encompass homesteads, cairns, standing stones, farmsteads, military training trenches, and more. 33 of the sites were previously unknown to archaeologists.
Much of these discoveries are related to the sites fascinating military history. The Battle of Sheriffmuir took place on 13th November 1715. A Jacobite force of around 7,000 men, led by the Earl of Mar, faced around 3,000 Hanoverian Government troops led by the 2nd Duke of Argyll.
If you wish to find out more about the project you can do so here.
Featured Image Credit: University of Edinburgh
Journalism and Politics Student at the University of Stirling
