It's wilder than you might think.

About Us

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As members of the National Trust for Scotland Dumfries and Galloway Countryside Team, we manage properties across Dumfries and Galloway, including Threave Estate and Nature Reserve; Rockcliffe Property; Venniehill; The Murray's Isles and Bruce's Stone. Our task is to conserve and maintain the variety of habitats and species present, at the same time managing the sites for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations.

10 February 2014

Huge thanks to the Lothian Wallunteers.


The NTS Lothian Conservation Volunteers (CV’s) arrived at Threave Estate Nature Reserve on the weekend of 8th and 9th of Feb, to try their hand at some Dry Stone Walling. They got a bit more than they bargained for though, having to contend with horizontal rain, strong winds and mud, lots and lots of mud all day Saturday.
Saturday morning kicked off with a briefing on Health and safety, tools talk, and a chat about walling. You cannot talk about walling really; it’s a case of just having a go, so we pressed on despite the weather.
A couple of the team had been along to a walling weekend before, so the team was split, some placing top stones on, and the rest sripping out a fallen down section and rebuilding.
The day was cut short due to the weather conditions.
On Sunday morning the option was given whether to carry on or not. The CV’s  unanimously voted to carry on. So with some extra health and safety advice we carried on.
In the morning we took down some tin sheets to lay out the stone on, so they did’nt disappear in the mud.  Up until Tea time it rained, and then faired up, which was fantastic.
All in all, the team made a fantastic job of the wall, which in fact is an on going  project, which solely CVs have been working on over a couple of years.
This time of year is the best time for us to do Walling, as the farmers have removed stock from the feilds. Later in the year the D&G Ranger Team have other priorities.
Once the project is finished, it will be an effective barrier for stock, wildlife corridor and linnear feature, plus a Historical landscape feature.
My heart felt thanks go out to the Lothian CVs, and i’m very, very impressed with their  attitude  overall during the weekend. Not forgetting Clare Hickson, who could not make it, but sent a lovely cake J J J J
Kindest regards,
Dave. T

07 February 2014

Clearing up a Storm !

This week has seen the Ranger team continue to clear up the damage which has been caused by the recent storms combined with high tides. Wind blown trees on tenanted farms on the Threave Estate require clearing away as it may be harmful to livestock, the fallen trees may also have damaged fences or walls which will also require to be repaired to ensure livestock does not gain access to areas such as roads, rivers, field crops.
  
 
Dave cutting a fallen Oak tree at Keltonhill Farm, the tree limbs are cut & logged for storage in a safe area.



The coastal path at Rockcliffe also suffered damage as a result of the storms and high tides. The force of the tidal surge washed away sections of path and dumped rock debris, flotsam and jetsam across the paths which resulted in blockages and access restrictions for walkers. Some of the damage was cleared by hand this week, however, more extensive damage will require to be cleared away and the pathways re-instated by contractors with appropriate heavy equipment.



Judy surveys the damage to the coastal path at the Barcloy strip, Rockcliffe.