Drumbrae is the first of several sites where we will create woodland and improve open habitats. We are doing this to mitigate our carbon emissions from unavoidable travel while benefitting nature. View maps, check the timeline and find out more. Image Aerial view of the Drumbrae estate The University of Edinburgh has purchased 430 hectares of land at Drumbrae. The land is in the Ochils, near the city of Stirling, north of Bridge of Allan. It sits in the Stirling Local Authority Area.We'd like to increase biodiversity on the site by creating woodland and improving open habitats.A new woodland creation proposal has been produced to map out and guide what we will do at Drumbrae. It covers:woodland creationincreasing biodiversityengaging with local communities, local to the site and internally at the University of Edinburgh.You're invited: annual community eventCome to our annual community event and meet some of the team working at Drumbrae to hear what’s been happening on site and what’s coming up. There'll be opportunities to share feedback, find out how you can get involved and help us design the community woodland area at Cocksburn Woods.When: Friday 22 November 2024, 7pm to 8:30pm Where: Chalmers Hall, Bridge of Allan Parish Church, 12 Keir Street, FK9 4NW We will provide refreshments. All welcome!View the flyer for further detailsExplore our interactive storymapLearn more about our plans, including archaeological features on site, nature including bird and plant species, and the woodland design process.Drumbrae storymapVolunteering opportunitiesDuring June and July we ran a number of volunteer days working on the main Dumyat hill path.This popular path is enjoyed by over 50,000 of people each year, and was in need to some maintenance. Armed with our spades and mattocks, local residents, members of the public, and university staff and former students joined in.Over the four sessions we rebuilt a collapsed section of a dry stone wall, cleared drainage ditches and culvert pipes, reinstated water bars, all in an effort to keep water off the path to prevent further erosion. We have made a great start, but there is still more to do and there will be more path maintenance days in the future. Keep an eye on our volunteering page for future opportunities: Volunteering opportunities. Work happening on siteWork will begin on site in summer 2024 After consultation with the public and working closely with communities surrounding the area, we have listened to feedback and developed a woodland creation plan that has been approved by Scottish Forestry.Over the next few months, you'll notice changes as we install deer fencing and prepare the ground to plant new trees. After this work is completed, we will plant a variety of tree species to meet the project aims of carbon sequestration, habitat improvement, and increasing local biodiversity.What you need to know:You may be asked to avoid a route or area for limited periods to help keep everyone safe while work is taking place.Please follow alternative routes or diversions. We aim to minimise disruption to the Dumyat path and other core paths.Look out for signage and keep an eye on our website for notifications.There will be access points in our deer fences, with self-closing gates for everyone to use.Larger management gates will be locked and used for operational access.Contact us at SRS.Department@ed.ac.uk or email our Community Ranger at Community.Ranger@ed.ac.uk for more information.Woodland designPlans, maps and visualisationsMapsLocation in GoogleWoodland Design Map (August 2024)Constraints and Opportunities MapAccess and Protection Map (August 2024)Recreation and Designation MapEcological Features MapCultural Heritage and Archaeology MapViewpoint Analysis MapReports and visualisationsDrumbrae Community PresentationLandscape visualisationsPlease see visual interpretations of key points of the site the Drumbrae public consultation webpage.Ecology AssessmentArchaeology ReportArchaeology Appraisal for the Battle of SheriffmuirArchaeology Setting Appraisal for Larger Clearing on SheriffmuirTimelineWinter 2022 to spring 2023Surveyed and analysed the site.Drafted the woodland plan, taking into account social, silvicultural and conservation aims.Summer 2023The early community engagement survey closed in June; we received 79 responses. View the word cloud, highlighting key themes.Autumn 2023Formal consultation with the local community and other statutory stakeholders on a draft woodland creation proposal took place throughout September. View the results.Analysed the feedback provided through the public consultation.Updated the woodland creation proposal following the consultation with communities.Spring / Summer 2024Submitted application to Scottish Forestry and application put on the public register for 28 days.Woodland creation proposal formally approved by Scottish Forestry.Planning for site operations began.Autumn 2024Operations started on site, including ground preparation and fencing.Tree planting is expected to start in 2025.Public consultation resultsFrom 28 August to 29 September 2023, we held a public consultation to gather input and comments from residents and users of the Drumbrae site. We’re now analysing this information and will incorporate it into the plans where possible.We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to submit their comments. You can see the main themes from the consultation here.Get in touchTo contact us, please email us using our contact details below. Please state that you wish to speak with the Forest and Peatland team in your message. General enquiries Social Responsibility and Sustainability Contact details Social media: @edsust Work: +44 (0)131 651 3000 Email: SRS.Department@ed.ac.uk Cover image: Photo taken by Tom Wade, Airborne Research and Innovation Facility, University of Edinburgh This article was published on 2024-10-01
