ON THE LAND A NEWSLETTER FOR PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING ON BUCCLEUCH’S SCOTTISH ESTATES WINTER 2016

3 INNOVATIVE FARMERS 5 GOLDEN EAGLES BOOST 10 DALKEITH A financial and technical support scheme Project aims to boost COUNTRY PARK to help groups of farmers brainstorm numbers of the iconic bird Thousands welcomed to two and test out innovative ideas. in south Scotland. major new attractions.

View at Bowhill Estate.

S the year draws to a close, we’ve had some time to reflect on the full impact the Brexit vote will have A on the rural economy. While the detail of what Brexit actually means remains unclear, one aspect is obvious: further delays in key policy decision areas are inevitable, particularly in energy and agricultural subsidies.

With regard to both, most commentators would agree In Scotland, transparency and land reform remain hot there is more likelihood of support decreasing in the topics, and we continue to engage with the community in years ahead than increasing, and from this I take it Wanlockhead regarding their buyout plans – but have that everyone involved in managing land must think as been crystal clear our first responsibility is to respect innovatively as possible about how they can use the the wishes of our tenant farmers in the area. assets they have as well as possible. Finally, as our nights get longer and there is less daylight In this newsletter we have highlighted some success stories to complete the day’s tasks, we would stress the need – in striving to farm without subsidies, and in seeking to to stay safe in whatever you do – and you might generate new income streams from energy projects (both like to read the article on staying safe on the land. big and small) – which I hope are food for thought. With best wishes for the festive period. I am sure each and every one of you will also be thinking on how to do what you already do more effectively. John Glen, Buccleuch has recently become a supporter of the Chief Executive Officer UK-wide Innovative Farmers project – and we would Buccleuch encourage you to become involved if you have any bright ideas you would wish to explore.

WWW.BUCCLEUCH.COM WWW.BUCCLEUCH.COM Staying safe on the land BY JIM SHEPHERD, BUSINESS EXCELLENCE MANAGER AT BUCCLEUCH

ARMING and forestry Each system has its advantages, In other scenarios the worker on land you manage, you have a remain the UK’s most and the key for us has been will actually radio in to the control statutory obligation to have a lone Fdangerous professions. implementing something that room to provide an update on working procedure. Last year, 27 people lost their is simple, reliable and easy to their location, expected duration Failure to do so can result in a lives and there were over 15,000 use. Digital radios appeal to us and nature of the activity being hefty penalty or, more significantly, work related non-fatal injuries because they have good coverage undertaken. injury or loss of life. for people working on the land. across all of the Scottish estates We would encourage all people If you have any queries about lone and we can link them up with our Too many of these often life- who work on Buccleuch land to working procedures, please get in manned security hub at Dalkeith changing incidents could have consider very seriously how to stay touch with the Health and Safety Country Park. been avoided. safe when working alone. If you Executive or visit www.hse.gov.uk Lone working has been long Of course any hardware is only employ any workers or contractors recognised as an activity where as good as the procedure that people are particularly vulnerable, goes with it – and we have put in particularly if you are engaged in place clear instructions of when risky operations such as operating and how the radios should be machinery or vehicles. used. If, for example, someone is using an item of cutting equipment At Buccleuch, we are putting alone, then they will activate their in a lot of effort to ensure our Lone Working facility via their employees are as safe as they radio which will prompt them for can be; and in the last three years a response via an audible bleep we have tried out a number of every 20 minutes – if the bleep is systems for lone workers. These not acknowledged by pressing any have included a satellite-based button, then a signal will be sent system, one using a mobile phone back to the security hub and app, and we have now settled a stepped escalation process on a comprehensive system using will begin. hand-held digital radios. Sheep profits without subsidies OWHILL Estate farm In a good season and with his best- my ambition is to develop an manager Sion Williams performing hill flock he is making enterprise which can stand on its Bhas been getting growing money before direct state subsidy, own two feet. recognition for his ambition while he admits making clear profit “It is certainly challenging and to succeed in sheep farming from beef capital will be more there is a need to innovate without subsidies. difficult. This includes reaching and utilise the very best farm Earlier this year the Farmers a breakeven position on the near practices; but I believe if we Weekly singled Sion out for his 7,000 lambs which are all fattened demonstrate success on a large ambition to make a profit from fat and at the estate on a contract upland unit here in the Borders, lambs and beef cattle on 3,500 with Sainsbury’s. then our farm practices can be hectares of upland he manages Sion has worked on the estate replicated by farmers elsewhere,” on the Bowhill Estate. since 2004. Sion said: Sion concludes. Stocking includes 5,200 ewes and “At present around 12 percent of 500 suckler cows in an enterprise farm income comes from two main which includes cropping 134ha of subsidies – the Single Farm payment barley, oats and kale and a new and Less Favoured Area Support Scheme. Post-Brexit the future of Sion Williams. 200kW anaerobic digester fed with livestock manure. all subsidies will be less certain, and WINTER 2016 2 | 3 ON THE LAND

SUPPORTING APPRENTICES Bringing new blood into the agriculture is important if we are to ensure the farming sector is in the best shape possible to meet the challenges in the years ahead. There are already a number of good initiatives out there – and this year Buccleuch has continued its sponsorship of Lantra, a training organisation which supports modern apprenticeships in the rural sector. An apprenticeship can be a great way for an enthusiastic person to get quality hands-on experience at the same time as a nationally recognised qualification. However for many farmers the cost of employing a relatively inexperienced apprentice can be significant, and in Scotland the uptake of apprenticeships in farming is low. Calling all innovative farmers… That’s why as well as supporting the likelihood that farmers Lantra, we are now looking at develop sound ideas that can be other ways to support learning. implemented in a straightforward In our view it is likely larger way. There is no sense in just estates and farms will have having a ‘talking shop’ without greater resources to justify delivering any meaningful outcome. apprentices; and we believe Adrian Dolby. there may be scope to share “Already I’ve met with dairy an apprentice between a few ARLIER this year • If the idea is a runner, farmers on the Eskdale and farming enterprises to offer a Buccleuch became a Innovative Farmers will Liddesdale Estate to explore broader base of experience, supporter of Innovative provide a co-ordinator for ideas that may include bespoke E and to spread the cost. Farmers, a not-for-profit administration support and grassland mixes that are more group that gives financial puts the group – known as resilient to the extremes of weather and technical support to help a ‘field lab’ – in touch with observed in recent years and how a groups of farmers brainstorm a scientist or researcher from field lab could help deliver change. and test out innovative ideas. one of the leading research “There are I am sure many And already a group of dairy institutes, such as Moredun other topics which would merit farming tenants at Eskdale and or the Scottish Agricultural investigation – for instance the Liddesdale Estate has got their College. control of black grass in arable thinking caps on ways to make • The group is eligible for up farming or improving soil fertility good use of the initiative. to £10,000 funding. and structure – and we are keen to The scheme, which is already up “The aim is to establish good, hear from any tenant farmers with and running with groups across practical ways to help farmers good ideas,” Adrian concludes. Britain, works as follows: address real issues they are If you have an idea for Innovative • A group of farmers gets facing,” says Adrian Dolby, Farmers, please get in touch with together to investigate a Buccleuch’s Head of Agriculture. your estate manager. particular subject or area of “By providing funding, expertise www.innovativefarmers.org interest they’ve identified that and a structured process, will enhance their business. Innovative Farmers increases WWW.BUCCLEUCH.COM

Taking the lead in land registration

HE last year has seen The initiative, led by Registers of Eckford Estate, part of the larger Sean McCay. continued interest in the Scotland, aims to move all land in 61,000 acre Bowhill Estate, on the Ttopics of land ownership Scotland from the historic deeds- Land Register, and we now plan and management and Buccleuch based General Register of Sasines to put all 225,000 acres owned has been taking the lead in – the world’s oldest national land by Buccleuch in Scotland on to the demonstrating an open register – to the modern digital land register within five years. attitude to putting all land map-based public Land Register of In addition, anyone can now Alex Coles. on a public register. Scotland. This will enable members view all of Buccleuch rural land Earlier this year, we became the of the public to easily search and ownership on an interactive map first major rural landowner to find out who owns a particular available on the Buccleuch web site. property or patch of land. commit to putting all of our land www.buccleuch.com/the-estates/ holdings on a modern map-based Buccleuch has begun the process land-registration land register. by registering the 2,400 acre Alison Dunlop.

Alan Nisbet.

Michael Bell.

NEW FACES An old written deed. ON THE ESTATES There are a few news faces across the estates who you may Royal Highland Show come across in the coming months. At Eskdale & Liddesdale Sean HE Buccleuch stand Thursday and Friday were focused audience and visitors to the McCay began as a land agent in was a busy spot at the mostly on the rural side of the stand were able to take May, with a focus on land agency TRoyal Highland Show business with dozens of visitors part in some ranger-led work as well as asset sales, whist in June, with a mixture taking the opportunity to meet activities and hear about our Alex Coles joined in July 2016 of glorious sunshine and and chat with members of the tremendous tourism attractions, as graduate land agent, just occasional rain. Buccleuch team. The weekend in particular Restoration Yard after achieving a 1st class attracted more of a family and Fort Douglas. honours degree. Alison Dunlop has joined as a senior land agent at Bowhill, and at Queensberry ‘weel kent’ face Alan Nisbet has come on board as estate manager. We would also like to congratulate Michael Bell who has taken over as Check them out! Bowhill Sarah Exton, estate manager (right) estate manager Ed Morris managing director of and Shelley Rayner, marketing manager (left) and farm manager having fun on the stand. Sion Williams at the show. Buccleuch Rural Solutions. WINTER 2016 4 | 5 ON THE LAND

ON-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGY Although the last year has seen some radical changes to feed-in tariffs, well-constructed schemes to generate and use energy on- site can still make economic – as well as environmental – sense. This is particularly true if you are off the gas grid and are reliant on oil, LPG or electricity for heating. Across Buccleuch’s estates we can now see a number of schemes which are now delivering low carbon heat, energy and savings. At Eskdale and Liddesdale Estate, we’ve just installed a 250kW woodchip biomass boiler into the estate yard as part of an office refurbishment programme, whilst at Drumlanrig Castle we now operate a 200kW biomass boiler to provide heat for the house, whilst at Bowhill Estate we have Boosting golden eagles installed a 200kW anaerobic digester which turns manure and straw into green electricity in the south of Scotland and heat which are used on the farm [see full story on page 10]. We have also just installed a OLDEN eagles could project. They will find out in the 200kW woodchip biomass boiler become a much more spring if they have secured full Cat Barlow. to heat Bowhill estate office in the Gcommon sight across Heritage Lottery Fund support first instance and we hope to be the south of Scotland with a for the five-year programme. able to install a district heating new project being supported by If they get the green light, young network to supply nearby estate the Heritage Lottery Fund. chicks will be collected from nests dwellings with heat and hot water. The South of Scotland Golden in the Highlands and raised in a We also help power our free Eagle Project aims to boost secret location in the Moffat Hills range egg operation on Bowhill numbers of the iconic bird to prior to release. Members of the using 50kW of solar panels. up to 16 pairs in Dumfries and project team will work closely Well-constructed schemes can still Galloway and the Scottish with local famers and land make a contribution to your rural Borders – with the potential to managers throughout the duration business and we would encourage release eagle chicks into the wild of the project. any tenant with an interest in in the years ahead. At present Cat Barlow, project manager at low carbon energy to investigate there are only two to four pairs the South of Scotland Golden how it might work for you. in the south of the country, with Eagle Project says: Useful and impartial advice on only limited nesting success. "We think this project is incredibly domestic energy can be found at Buccleuch is working alongside exciting. A revived population the Energy Savings Trust. RSPB Scotland, Forestry of golden eagles offers great www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ Commission Scotland, Scottish opportunities for tourism and wider scotland Land and Estates and Scottish benefits for people and nature in Natural Heritage to support the the south of Scotland." Tel: 0808 808 2282

Eagle photographs © Copyright Laurie Campbell WWW.DRUMLANRIGCASTLE.CO.UK

Planners approve pumped storage – but hurdles still remain

HE former Glenmuckloch financial framework that will that has taken a step forward. open cast coal mine on encourage investment. “The challenge is in finding Tthe Queensberry Estate John Glen, Buccleuch chief the package of support has now secured consent executive, said: measures which will unlock from the Scottish Government private investment in the “For five years we have been to transform the site into project. We have been working working closely with the local a major pumped storage with the UK and Scottish community and Hargreaves hydro scheme. governments and others to Surface Mining to restore and find a way to make this work. If the project goes ahead, it transform the site. Our vision A successful project will be would make a major contribution is to create an energy park a major driver of economic GLENMUCKLOCH to energy provision and breathe that will support local jobs and activity and growth across life into the former opencast site, deliver major new investment TURBINES the region.” which has ceased commercial in Dumfries and Galloway, and GET THE coaling and is now undergoing GREEN LIGHT restoration works. It would also create over 250 jobs during a In June Dumfries and Galloway five-year construction programme Council’s planning committee and more than 15 long term local approved plans by Buccleuch jobs when complete. subsidiary Glenmuckloch Renewable Energy Limited in However any proposal June to erect eight wind turbines will require major financial next to the Glenmuckloch investment from other partners opencast coal site. to proceed. Meetings have taken place with the UK Government These new turbines will – which sets energy policy – to complement the two existing discuss the need for a stable community turbines built earlier this year and will have a total generating capacity of over 25MW – with the potential to generate clean energy to power more than 16,000 homes. It Wanlockhead village – is also expected that more than £3million of community benefit will be provided to community ownership local areas over the lifespan of UCCLEUCH continues community and indeed are in the wind farm. The approved ownership. Buccleuch also has to maintain an open the process of selling a number development is part of an overall advanced plans in this area dialogue with the of parcels of land. We also made vision to create an energy park B for sustainable development Wanlockhead Community clear there are other areas of at the Glenmuckloch opencast through the creation of the Trust which has expressed an land where we could enter into coal mine. North Lowther Energy Initiative, interest in putting together agreements with the community a renewable energy and habitat John Glen, Chief Executive, a community buy-out of land that would help facilitate their restoration project. That said, said: “We expect a number in and around the village. ambitions. There is, however, a we believe that in this area of of jobs to be created during We recently attended our large area of land where transfer land the objectives stated by the construction phase, and second meeting with the trust of ownership would conflict with the community trust can be with more than £3million of after which John Glen, chief existing farming operations of achieved under existing access community benefit available executive of Buccleuch, said: tenant farmers and our own legislation. We will, of course, over 25 years, we hope that farming operations. continue to engage with the local communities close to “During our latest meeting “The existing tenant farmers trust and representatives of the Glenmuckloch will be able to we restated our long-held – some of whom have farmed community on their aspirations achieve many of their ambitions position that we have no issue the same land for generations for Wanlockhead.” funded by the turbines.” in transferring ownership of land in and around the village – have made clear they do to businesses, individuals or the not wish to see a change of WINTER 2016 6 | 7 ON THE LAND

Clonhie Farm becomes new Nithsdale monitor farm

COUPLE who set up their farm business A only four years ago and are keen to drive it to a new level, have been named as the new Nithsdale monitor farmers. Clonhie Farm, near Penpont on the Queensberry Estate, run by Andrew and Aileen Marchant, is the second of nine new monitor farms being established in Scotland as part of a joint initiative by Quality Meat Scotland and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. Clonhie Farm is 300 hectares, with 40 hectares of good hill rising to around 240 metres and 260 hectares of upland grassland. The couple run the farm without any staff – though they have two willing helpers in their children William (6) The Marchant family. and Anna (4). Before the couple took over own small flock of 20 ewes with improving the technical of best practice and the tenancy of Clonhie in him to Clonhie and bought 180 efficiency of the whole farm the discussion of up-to- March 2012, Andrew Marchant in-lamb ewes in spring 2012. business, so becoming date issues. was the manager of a dairy and Clonhie now has 900 breeding monitor farmers is perfect The first meeting of the beef unit in Castle Douglas. ewes and 230 ewe lambs and timing for us. We also hope Nithsdale Monitor Farm The aim, however, was always the couple hope to reach their many more farmers will is expected to take place to run their own farm business. target of 1,200 ewes by 2020. share the benefits of what early in the new year. we learn along the way,” The Marchants originally leased They have also established a Those interested in being said Mr Marchant. the 93 hectare Clonhie farm small herd of eight Luing cows involved in the project along with the farmhouse and and plan to build the herd up The new three-year monitor should contact Judith outbuildings from Buccleuch in to about 40 in order to sell farm programme is being Hutchison, one of the 2012. Over the past four years females and bulls in the future. run jointed by Quality project facilitators, on they have taken on more land The Marchants are ready to Meat Scotland and AHDB 07718 919055 or from Buccleuch, and earlier this embrace any change that the Cereals & Oilseeds. It is email Judith.agridigm year took on a neighbouring community group may suggest establishing a group of @icloud.com 134 hectare farm, also owned in order to improve the farm’s farms to serve as monitor For more information by the estate. bottom line. farms to help improve the about the monitor profitability, productivity The stock numbers on Clonhie “So far we have focused on farm programme visit and sustainability of have increased significantly building the business and the www.qmscotland.co.uk since 2012 and show no sign of number of sheep in particular. producers through practical stopping. Andrew brought his Now we need to focus on demonstrations, the sharing WWW.DRUMLANRIGCASTLE.CO.UK

POTENTIAL £750,000 WINDFALL FOR NORTH Stabiliser cattle top the LOWTHER COMMUNITIES table at Auchenbainzie Local communities in and "IT’S NOT THE SIZE OF THE CATTLE THAT MATTERS, IT’S THEIR EFFICIENCY.” around Wanlockhead could be in line for a £750,000 annual O says David Kirkpatrick windfall if a proposed energy at Auchenbainzie Farm project in the Lowther hills Son the Queensberry get the go ahead. Estate who, it is fair to say, In August the North Lowther is a tremendous enthusiast Energy Initiative (NLEI) wrote of Stabiliser cattle. to local residents to ask their David now has 120 of the opinion on how more than £18 composite suckler cattle on his million of potential community 800 hectare unit, alongside funding from their proposed 200 dairy cows and 2,000 ewes, wind farm could be distributed. and he cannot be more positive This was then followed up by about the benefits of these public information events in easy-care beasts. Wanlockhead and Sanquhar First developed by farm in September. scientists in Nebraska in Buccleuch and 2020 the 1990s, Stabilisers are Renewables, partners in the a composite hybrid of four May. The females calve without NLEI have asked for views on pure beef breeds – Gelbvieh, Of the heifer calves, David any input from us at all. We a number of topics including: Hereford, Red Angus and retains the best and sells the then bring them down onto • The geographic boundaries Simmental – and are the fastest- surplus at a year old at up better grass. They are a bit hairy for communities that would growing breed in the UK. David to £1500 a head. Around a and thin, but their condition benefit from the funding. believes they are ideally suited third of the bull calves go on soon improves.” • The structure and to a low input regime. to breeding whilst the rest administration of how the The numbers speak for are fattened as bull beef “Selective breeding in the USA funds would be distributed. themselves. David’s cows for UK supermarkets, where has given us an animal that is • What local people believe average a 98 percent pregnancy they perform well in blind easy to calve, can live outdoors are the current priorities for rate after an eight week mating tastings and shear tests. through the winter with very funding in their area. period compared to the UK little supplementary feeding and David receives tremendous average of 86 percent after a Should the project be puts on weight more efficiently support from the Stabiliser 22 week mating period. With given the go ahead by the than bigger breeds,” David says. HQ in Yorkshire and can Scottish Government, NLEI a calves-sold-to-cows-mated input data from his own “They have a lot of hybrid vigour, is committed to providing an figure of 96 per 100. herd to find out how they and they retain this for a number annual payment of £5,000 David is clear about his are performing. of generations even without the per MW for the lifetime of the reasons for using the easy-care addition of new stock.” “For me it is all about windfarm. Based on the current Stabilisers: “They are not the efficiency,” David says. At Auchenbainzie all the cows design of 150 MW, this would biggest calves, but they are “A calving cow weighs are out-wintered. David doesn’t equate to £750,000 a year alive,” David says. “At the end 600kg and the calves are graze his hill land in the second for the community, totalling of the calving period we all tend weaned at 300kg, and they half of the summer to build £18,750,000 over 25 years. to forget the disasters but they will put on that weight with a reserve of winter feed and Buccleuch has now engaged the are a huge cost to the industry. less feed than other breeds. then puts his cattle on the hill services of Foundation Scotland, And if you consider that the I’d rather have three small in October. a not-for-profit organisation to conventionally-managed suckler beasts than two big ones – work with communities in the “We leave them be and don’t cow has all the overheads (slurry I am more interested in vicinity of the proposed windfarm provide any supplementary handling, silage, concrete and the bottom line than to develop shared ideas on feeding until March when they tractors) of a dairy cow but no making any headlines,” how the funds could be used. are fed with a snacker a few milk to sell it is easy to believe David concludes. days a week, and up this to daily that they lose an average £220 For further details visit throughout calving in April and per cow.” www.northlowther.com WWW.BOWHILLHOUSE.CO.UK WINTER 2016 8 | 9 ON THE LAND

MP Calum Kerr visits Bowhill Estate

L to R: farm manager Sion Williams, Calum Kerr MP, Duke Richard and estate Following a morning spent Following the visit Mr Kerr, was really helpful. I was shown manager Ed Morris. at neighbouring Philiphaugh who is the SNP’s Lead a number of their initiatives Estate, Duke Richard and estate Westminster Spokesperson and was particularly interested EW MP Calum Kerr took manager Edward Morris were on the Environment, Food in their sustainability and clean the time to find out on hand to welcome Mr Kerr and Rural Affairs, said: energy generation. There's first-hand the challenges N and look at the forestry, tourism "The Duke and the others who some really interesting forward of the rural economy on a visit and agricultural activities on the were involved gave me a lot thinking going on and it was to Bowhill this spring. estate, as well as the new 200kW of their time to explain what really good to see that." anaerobic digestion plant. they've been doing and that

Buccleuch signs nationwide free range deal

ARLIER this year and free range eggs from farms standards that enable a Buccleuch’s Bowhill egg throughout the UK. constant supply of top quality Eoperation agreed a Peter Flaherty, Poultry Manager, eggs on a supermarket shelf. new supply contract with and Harry Aynsley, Assistant In early August the unit was the Lakes Free Range Egg Poultry Manager, have been visited unexpectedly by the Company based near Penrith working hard with the new Scottish Government egg in the Lake District - with flock of 32,000 hens to ensure inspector and the operation the goal of building a long optimum welfare and egg got great feedback, so well term, sustainable supply quality. New initiatives include done to Peter and Harry. chain relationship. planting 1,000 trees in the To see short video on Lakes’ The Lakes supply eggs grass area outside the unit to relationship with McDonald’s, throughout the UK with key encourage the hens to forage follow this link: customers including Sainsbury’s extensively on the pasture. www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ and McDonald’s – as part of A tour of the Lakes packing ukhome/food-quality/ the fast food chain’s substantial station gave an insight to the eggs.html commitment to UK farming by challenges of supplying fresh sourcing milk, beef, potatoes produce and the exacting WWW.BOWHILLHOUSE.CO.UK

Dalkeith Country Park welcomes thousands

THIS SUMMER TWO MAJOR NEW ATTRACTIONS OPENED WITHIN DALKEITH COUNTRY PARK.

HE old stableyard had Nearly 40 new jobs have been a £multi-million revamp created, and the 1,000 acre park Tto become Restoration itself has not been neglected Yard, comprising a restaurant, with a new nature trail through café, shop and ‘wellness its 700 year old ancient oak The AD plant. lab’; whilst Fort Douglas is woodland alongside re-laid an incredible re-incarnation paths for walkers, cyclists of Dalkeith’s much-loved and buggies, and over 100 ‘Concrete cow’ adventure park, boasting a waymark signs and nature turreted treehouse, suspension interpretation boards. taking it in her stride bridge, slides, climbing walls Restoration Yard is now and secret tunnels. gearing up for Christmas with HIS summer Bowhill of organic material in an In the first month over 40,000 a superb range of festive gifts Estate commissioned oxygen-free environment which people came to see the and opportunities to restore a 200kW anaerobic produces methane – a natural T transformation, with 700 kids a mind and body with yoga digestion plant built by process that occurs in the day putting Fort Douglas to the and pilates classes. German specialist firm stomach of cows. ultimate test. It’s now predicted Visit the Dalkeith Country Agrikomp. “The methane drives a the twin attractions will pull in Park Facebook page to Now fully operational, the new generator. We use a small 300,000 visitors in their first year. find out more. unit provides enough methane amount of the electricity to to drive a 200kW gas-powered power the plant and the rest generator 24 hours a day plus is all sold on to the GB grid,” sufficient heat to dry woodchip Sion says. and grain on the farm. Located And of course what goes in at Carterhaugh Farm, the must come out. “The end- digester can consume up to product is pasteurised, odour 12 tonnes of manure per day, free slurry which actually has a all of this from farms managed better nutrient content than the in-hand. The majority of this original manure,” Sion explains. comes from cattle, with a “This can then be used as smaller proportion from hens fertiliser, or can be dried and and sheep. mixed with straw to provide Fort Douglas. It is very much a local success hygienic bedding for livestock. story – the groundworks were “To me the AD plant makes completed by local contractors perfect sense,” Sion says. “It Davidsons, whilst the control fits in perfectly with our existing house and engine sheds livestock operation, it will were built by local builder reduce our reliance on bought- Thorburns. in straw for bedding and will “It is easiest to think of the provide a stable long-term plant as a concrete cow,” income stream for the estate.” explains farm manager Sion If you are interested in finding Williams. “The anaerobic out more about anaerobic digestion process mirrors what digestion, Sion would be happy occurs in nature. Anaerobic to show you around the plant. digestion is the decomposition Restoration Yard. WWW.BUCCLEUCH.COM WINTER 2016 10 | 11 ON THE LAND

25 Hen Harrier chicks fledge as Langholm Moor project winds down

2016 HAS BEEN A TRANSFORMATIONAL YEAR FOR THE LANGHOLM MOOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT WITH A DECISION TO END KEEPERING ON THE MOOR WHILST SCIENTIFIC MONITORING CONTINUES.

EEPERING stopped in between two and five), which the spring. The project’s were all fitted with British Trust Kdirectors – RSPB, Scottish for Ornithology and colour rings. Natural Heritage, Game and Importantly the project will Wildlife Conservation Trust, carry on monitoring through the Natural England and Buccleuch 2017 breeding season, tracking – agreed that as there was no habitat quality, numbers of realistic chance of reaching the moorland birds and the breeding target grouse density necessary success of the hen harriers. This for driven shooting, game gives the project time to gather keepering should be wound further information on the down and no diversionary beneficial effects of moorland food would be provided at management, while the project the harrier’s nests. scientists finalise a variety of Despite these changes, and the reports for the directors to virtual absence of voles, hen review before publication. harriers bred well on Langholm SRDP funded habitat Moor in 2016. Seven females management measures will nested successfully and fledged A red grouse (right) and continue through Langholm Farms, hen harriers in flight. a total of 25 young (brood sizes the estate’s farming business.

Office refurbishment

HE estate office at Eskdale The office has been finished the Building Services office, and Liddesdale Estate has to a very high standard and two rented cottages, and a Tnow been fully refurbished everyone had a vote in picking range of outbuildings, with the after an extensive renovation the colour scheme, and all staff potential of adding additional project. This brings the office up are enjoying being in a modern, buildings as required. to current legislative standards, comfortable office. The office Installing this system will and improves energy efficiencies was officially opened on 23 reduce heating costs which and also makes the office a much November 2016, when Duke are currently supplied by nicer environment to work in. Richard cut the ribbon at an oil and electricity, and also opening party to celebrate and This project has been a true team help to increase the estate's thank all of those involved. event with every member of the energy efficiency. As with estate helping to deliver and make As part of the office the office refurbishment, the it work. Some have worked on the refurbishment, a 250kW building services and drainage build itself, others the landscaping woodchip biomass boiler has teams have been significantly and everyone has been involved in been installed in the estate yard. involved and have done a Refurbishment works. moving files and furniture. Its role is to heat the main office, brilliant job. WINTER 2016 WWW.BUCCLEUCH.COM 12 ON THE LAND

BUILDING A BUSINESS AT PARKHOUSE AND ROWANBURNFOOT Opportunities for new entrants to get involved in farming can be thin on the ground, so when Eskdale and Liddesdale Estate offered the 170 hectare Parkhouse and Rowanburnfoot farms for let on the open market last year, the response was very strong. Following advertising in the local and national media, the estate had 36 initial enquiries into the farm, located near Canonbie, and 45 people came to the open days the estate held. After a rigorous application process, which involved presenting full business plans and financial projections, Jedburgh man John Anderson secured the lease. Although John was working a builder, his father farmed, and he impressed all with his vision for the amalgamated unit with its combination of good pasture land with some arable ground. The estate carried out significant upgrading to the farm prior to the letting, including repairs to the agricultural buildings, fencing, Hopsrig wind farm refurbishment of the farmhouse and liming of the ground to get The site, which is identified Commenting on the events, it to a workable pH. by Dumfries and Galloway Eskdale and Liddesdale Estate Council as an ‘Area of Greatest Manager Sarah Exton said: Now, more than 12 months into Potential’ for large scale ten year limited duration tenancy, “The drop-ins gave us the wind farm development, is John is now running a successful opportunity to find out local around seven kilometres north beef and sheep farm on the Sarah Exton. opinions on the scheme and the west of Langholm and unit and building up his feedback we have received is is accessed from the B709. being fed in to the final proposal stocking numbers. OMMUNITIES near The proposal would see up which we will submit to the council The letting has revitalised a the Hopsrig windfarm to 14 turbines being located early in 2017. If this scheme corner of the estate and ensured proposal got the C on higher ground, primarily does go ahead, communities that is being well managed, chance to find out more within the forested areas, and in the surrounding area could and has brought a new family about the scheme at public overall the scheme would have take advantage of a community into the area with energy and drop-in days at Langholm a maximum capacity of 49MW. benefit fund which would generate ideas to build a business. and Westerkirk in October. It is anticipated a planning around £200,000 annually.” Buccleuch will continue to work application will be submitted Details of the project can closely with John to ensure he to Dumfries and Galloway be found on the Eskdale has ongoing success. Council early next year. & Liddesdale page at www.buccleuch.com