NRN PARTNER: Pirleyhill Farm

PIRLEYHILL FARM

Location:
Falkirk
Area Committed:
294 acres

Pirleyhill farm forms part of the Callendar estate, lying just to the south of the Antonine Wall and the Union Canal. The pasture fields, interspersed with remnant hedgerows, were some of the first in Scotland to be enclosed. The landholding also contains plantations, broadleaf woodlands and a network of trails. Walking these provides tantalising glimpses into the social history of the area when it lay at the cutting edge of Scotland’s industrial revolution.

Key rewilding commitments:

  • JOINED UP HABITATS: Expand hedgerows and significant expansion of broadleaf woodland through planting and natural regeneration to increase connectivity.
  • MORE SPACE FOR WATER: Increase the amount of standing water on site with new ponds and scrapes.
  • CREATING REWILDING BUSINESS / CONNECT WITH COMMUNITIES: Seek new opportunities to develop enterprise and involve local communities in nature restoration.
  • REINSTATE NATURAL GRAZING: Introduce hardy native breed cattle to enhance grassland biodiversity and durability and to assist soil disturbance and regeneration.
  • WILDER RIVERS: Carrying out riparian planting (alder, aspen, willow).
  • RETURN MISSING SPECIES: Actively improving breeding habitat for amphibians, especially newts. And restoring woodland flora plant and grassland species diversity by seeding and translocations.
  • LET NATURE LEAD: Embrace vegetation succession by allowing the development of a mosaic of grassland wooded habitats to emerge naturally aided by large grazing animals.

‘A lot of us worry about biodiversity and climate change, I have been lucky enough to be in a position to decide what to do with the land at Pirleyhill, I had to grab this opportunity for us to make a positive contribution to our small corner of Scotland.’

Emma Schneider, Trustee of Callendar Estate (landowner)