NRN PARTNER: Margmore

MARGMORE

Location:
Aberfeldy, Tayside
Area Committed:
47.5 acres

Margmore is a traditional small farm, situated high above the river Tay and enjoying views of the strath, and the peaks of Schehallion and Ben Vrackie. The land is predominantly pasture, interspersed with mature broadleaf trees, and bordered by two fast-flowing burns. An ancient limekiln bears testimony to historic agricultural activity. With the recent cessation of intensive sheep grazing, and implementation actions to kick-start broken ecosystems, the land and nature are primed for a journey of ecological recovery

Key rewilding commitments:

  • MORE NATIVE WOODLAND. Plant mixed native broadleaves and Scots pine, fruit and nut trees. Limit deer herbivory.
  • MORE SPACE FOR WATER: Rehydrate the landscape and aid standing water retention by creating a series of terraced ponds and leaky dams.
  • JOINED UP HABITATS: Establishing habitat connectivity by enrichment planting between areas of woodland.
  • REINSTATE NATURAL GRAZING: Cease sheep grazing and focus on light conservation grazing with native cattle, ponies, and pigs as proxies for missing herbivores.
  • CREATE REWILDING BUSINESS: Establish a tree nursery, and explore the development of a low-impact rural accommodation enterprise, with running and mountain biking retreats, in order to share the landscape with people.

'Being stewards of a small but beautiful hill farm is a dream come true. We aim to restore ecosystems and increase biodiversity through the judicious implementation of sustainable agricultural practices.'

Flora Rendell Bhatti and Colin Mulvey