Wild Heart Land: An interview with the Borders Forest Trust
Our chosen charity for 2025, the Borders Forest Trust is striving to reinvigorate the Wild Heart of Southern Scotland as a flourishing tapestry of native woodlands and wild places, cared for by volunteers and local communities.
From peatland restoration to tree planting projects, we’re committed to supporting them in their care of the region we love so deeply. This month we caught up with Adrian, the charity’s Wild Heart Engagement and Site Officer, to ask him about the history of the landscape, current projects, and the charity’s goals for the future. If you’re feeling inspired, visit the Borders Forest Trust website here to donate to their cause or to get involved as a volunteer.
What is the importance of native woodland to the ecosystem?
Native woodlands improve the soil through leaf litter and action of root systems. This improved soil, and protection from the trees, encourages the growth of other plants under the canopy. They also manage and filter water, preventing flooding. Trees support diverse wildlife, who use them for food and shelter – trees attract insects, which attract birds who eat and scatter the tree seed, allowing the woodland to evolve naturally.
What did this landscape look like in the past and what roles did it serve?
It’s believed that The Devil’s Beef Tub and the valleys that make up Corehead were woodlands up until about 350 years ago when the trees were cleared for livestock, predominantly sheep. Although this is difficult to establish using maps (woodlands were often not depicted on old maps!) the history of the area suggests a woodland. The landscape has had a rich history – William Wallace hid his troops in The Beef Tub in 1296 before advancing on the English. Then, between 1300 and 1600, The Border Reivers used The Beef Tub to hide their stolen cattle and as a defensive stronghold, which is how it got its name. Finally, from around 1600 the Covenanters used the area as a place of hiding and refuge. All this history suggests that the area must have been carpeted with trees and looked very different to the landscape we’re reviving today.
What are the signs you look for to see that the ecological restoration is working, and what do you hope to see in the coming years?
An increase in numbers and diversity of wildlife – birds, insects and mammals – is the main indication that ecological restoration is having an impact. Then we notice an increase in the diversity of plant life, particularly under the trees as they are maturing. Eventually the woodland will self-manage, with new trees regenerating naturally through seed dispersal.
What sort of activities do you and the volunteers undertake throughout the year, and what is your favourite?
The main volunteer activities are tree planting, tree shelter removal and internal fence removal. However, we have trained volunteers who help with hedge laying, coppicing and dry stane dyking, and some assist with tree and wildlife surveying. Tree planting is great, and is what we are known for, but my favourite activity is tree shelter removal – this has an immediate impact on the environment and is very satisfying.
What projects does the Borders Forest Trust have planned for 2025?
A major project for this year is planting trees in Ericstane North, newly acquired land joined to Corehead. We’re also hoping to make some infrastructure improvements, adding an all-access path to Corehead cabin where we hold group sessions and evening events – we’ll need to fundraise for this of course. If you’d like to support the cause you can do so here.
Discover the Area
If you’d like to explore this wonderful landscape yourself, visit the Borders Forest Trust to find out more about volunteering with the charity. Plus, if you’d like to plan your next escape, explore our wonderful portfolio of holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders here, from beautiful little boltholes for two to castles fit for a grand gathering.
