Rullion Green Wood is a 30-hectare site, owned by the University of Edinburgh, near Flotterstone in the Pentland Hills Regional Park. We want to enhance biodiversity on the site by creating woodlands and improving habitats for plants and animals. Enhancing biodiversity at Rullion Green Wood We have planted a diverse mix of trees at Rullion Green to connect existing woodland and improve habitats, transforming land that was previously used for livestock grazing. The site covers a small part of the historic battleground of the Battle of Rullion Green (1666) – the only significant battle of the Pentland Rising, a brief revolt by Covenanters against the government. Rullion Green Wood provides a range of opportunities for local communities, students and researchers while sequestering some of the University’s carbon emissions. Over 37,000 trees Over 37,000 trees have been planted at Rullion Green Wood. A variety of species have been planted, including oak, birch, aspen, willow and Scots pine. Get involved Guided visit for staff and students Join Community Ranger, Julie Wilson and Academic Manager, Dr Annie Yang for a guided visit to Rullion Green Wood, in the Pentland Hills Regional Park, where the University is creating new woodland to sequester carbon and increase biodiversity as part of the Forest and Peatland Programme.During this visit you will learn more about our woodland creation aims, community engagement and opportunities for learning, teaching and research. This will be a guided visit and we will be walking around some different areas at Rullion Green.We will provide transport leaving from High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh at 9am and you will return to High School Yards around 1pm.Attendees should bring appropriate outdoor clothing and layers, for the forecasted weather. You should wear sturdy footwear, walking boots with ankle support are ideal. You may also want to bring drinking water, hot drinks, snacks / packed lunch and walking poles if you usually use them. We will be walking on a variety of terrain including surfaced paths, grassy paths and rough / uneven ground. The site is on a hillside so it will involve walking uphill and downhill.Toilet facilities are available at Flotterstone Car Park, where we will start our visit. All activities are risk assessed and the Community Ranger will provide first aid cover. Sign up using the link below. Volunteer Connect with nature, improve habitats and learn new skills. You can plant wildflowers, assist with tree maintenance, help with field surveys and more. iNaturalist (external website) Contribute to citizen science for biodiversity. Identify and record species you see in the Pentlands Hills Regional Park with the iNaturalist app. Education We love outdoor learning. Get in touch if you would like to arrange a school trip, site visit or community event.Community.Ranger@ed.ac.uk Nature based learning Community activity area Part of the eastern area of Rullion Green Wood will be used as a community activity area, with the popular picnic spot, Daisy Dell, being maintained. We want this area to: be used for nature-based learning enhance sensory experiences provide volunteering opportunities and increase biodiversity.Using feedback gathered during our public consultation and community meetings, we hope to develop a plan for this area which could include additional tree planting, wildflower meadow areas and seating. Woodland design Find out about the trees we're planting and how the site might change to support this new woodland. Maps, surveys and visualisations MapsRullion Green map of viewpointsIssues and Concepts MapAccess and Protection MapOpportunities and Constraints MapWoodland DesignReports and visualisationsBaseline Archaeology ReportBaseline Ecology ReportLandscape visualisationsLocation in Google Maps Timeline Autumn 2024 to Winter 2025Operations started on site, including ground preparation and fencing.Annual community meeting held at Penicuik Townhall on 25 Feb 2025.Tree planting started in February 2025. Over 37,000 trees have been planted on site.Summer 2024Woodland creation proposal formally approved by Scottish Forestry.Spring 2024Analysed feedback provided through the public consultation.Updated the woodland creation proposal following the consultation with communities.Application submitted to Scottish Forestry and placed on the public register.Winter 2023 to 2024Drafted woodland design, taking into account social, archaeological and conservation aims.Early community engagement.Formal consultation with the local community and other statutory stakeholders on the draft woodland creation proposal took place between Monday 15 January and Sunday 25 February 2024.Summer to Autumn 2023 Surveyed and analysed the site. Public consultation results We have reviewed the views of local people and users of the area.A summary of these and how we have incorporated them into our plans can be found here: Rullion Green Wood consultation summary. Get in touch To 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. Social Responsibility and Sustainability Contact details Work: +44 (0)131 651 3000 Email: SRS.Department@ed.ac.uk Social: Community.Ranger@ed.ac.uk Social: UoE_sustainability (Instagram) Social: University of Edinburgh Social Responsibility & Sustainability (LinkedIn) This article was published on 2024-10-01
