New Gateway
The Woodland Trust Scotland report on the end of an eight-year project to rejuvenate Geordie's Wood.
2008 was a significant year for the Woodland Trust Scotland, as their massive woodland creation project in the OchiIs ended. Over an eight-year period the Trust planted 1.5 million trees in Glen Devon, transforming former grazing land into thriving new woodland, benefiting both wildlife and people.
A key element in the project's success has been the support from the local community. In particular, the residents of Muckhart have championed the plans for Geordie's Wood. They have embraced the Trust's ideology and taken charge of a field at the south end of Glen Devon and created the Muckhart Nature Park.
New native woodland creates a new area of biological diversity, and to enhance this important habitat the Trust decided to build a new dry stone dyke. Local man Calum Williams has laboured over one of the coldest winters to create the 170m sinuous dyke, which reflects the local landform. Dykes are an important habitat as they provide a home to smaller creatures such as mice and weasels. The dyke also serves as a boundary to the new woodland, as well as a gateway to the Muckhart Nature Park.
Thanks to a grant from Biffa, the Trust contracted the artist Susheila Jamieson to work with the community group and the school to develop and create an artistic gateway which could be incorporated into the dyke. Working in particular with the school they have developed an archway which highlights the value and beauty of natural forms and wildlife. Made of green oak, it is an impressive feature which takes walkers from Muckhart Nature Park out into the wider area of developing new native woodland.
A family
day will be held on 26 April, with storytelling and tree-planting to mark
the official opening of the new gateway to the OchiIs.
