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Aytonhill Wood, Fife - Over 7 acres, £49,000

Description: Aytonhill Wood is a magnificent semi-natural ancient woodland situated at the top of Ayton Hill, part of Fife's northeast Ochil Hill range. In the northern area of the wood an internal stone track leads through large open conifers (spruce, larch and pine) to a flat and private clearing very suitable for parking and occasional camping. The clearing is surrounded by yellow flowering gorse (in winter and spring) and pink foxgloves (summer) with willow, rowan, birch and sycamore on the outer fringes. A nearby log bench offers views of a patchwork quilt of green and gold fields, and forest.

South of the clearing, the land rises towards a large open hilltop area that offers more spectacular views, with Normans Law peak and the rolling hills of Fife in the distance, evoking a sense of calm and peace. On the hilltop, bare volcanic andesite rock marks the highpoint (178m above sea level) and patches of bell heather with common heather are abuzz with bees and other insects. Among the heather and gorse one may see: Honey bees; buff-tailed and red-tailed bumblebees; ruby tiger moths and you may even glimpse the rare silver-studded blue butterfly. Reindeer lichen which can take decades to grow can be spotted on nearby rocks.

Falling gently away to the east and south, the hilltop is surrounded by Scots pine, the natural habitat of the local red squirrel. Through what becomes a familiar pattern of tall and slim Scots pine in this area, stands the whimsical skeleton of a large old tree. Some surviving oaks can be discovered through the woodland as it gradually changes from the pine dominated southwest to the tall sycamores in the southeast corner. Here, on a clear sunny day, shafts of dappled light dance through to the forest floor where shade-loving ferns abound and make the wood seem old and almost Jurassic like.

The woodland echoes with the chorus of birdsong, from the chirrup of a blue tit to the mewing 'pii-yay' of a buzzard, to the warning calls of a cautious blackbird. The clumsy flight of a startled woodpigeon can punctuate the peace and flashes of white and blue can also be seen from jays (which can also skilfully mimic the call of a buzzard) flying between the trees.

There is the scope for small-scale forestry if desired, to gradually replace some of the faster growing sycamore and spruce with native species such as oak, ash, wild cherry or hazel which would further benefit the wildlife in terms of food sources and nesting sites. Aytonhill Wood is a good size for sustaining or supplementing a private firewood supply.

Access: There is a full right of access over a shared private road leading up the hill for about 1 mile after turning off the A913, and along shared forest tracks (shown green on the detailed maps) extending to the end of the wood's southeast boundary.

Sporting Rights: These are fully owned and included with the land.

Surrounding area: Aytonhill Wood is situated in north Fife on the old Ayton Estate at the middle of the Ayton Hill woods. The rural area, rolling hills and abundance of semi-natural ancient woodland makes this part of Fife particularly attractive to wild fauna and flora including red squirrel, roe deer, bluebells, primroses and wood anemones. The highest hill in northeast Fife is Norman's Law (part of the Ochil Hills) with a commanding 360° vantage point. This is the site of an iron age fort which is only a short walk from the woodland. Newburgh and Cupar are about 7 miles away with St. Andrews, Dundee and Perth are all within 30 minutes drive. Edinburgh and Stirling are just over 60 minutes' drive away.

The purchasers of the woodland will be asked to enter into a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of adjoining woodlands and meadows.

Price: £49,000 Freehold
Location: near Glenduckie, Newburgh, Fife
Size: Over 7 acres for sale

SE Sycamores & ferns

View WNW from hilltop

A canny Oak amongst pine

Nature trail through Scots pine

Open grassy heath atop

A spray of bell heather

Busy bee

Pines and small rockface

Tormentil wild flowers

Reindeer lichen on volcanic rock

Mushroom ring in grassy glade

Sycamore canopy

Basking in sunshine by hilltop bench

View South from western edge

Entrance and track into

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Boundaries:

Boundaries are clearly indicated with red markings mostly on freestanding posts and some trees.

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Our regional managers are often out working in our woodlands, so if you email an offer and want to be sure it has been received, please phone our manager on his or her mobile phone. The first offer at the stated price which is accepted, whether by phone or email, has priority.

All woodlands are sold at a fixed price, and include free membership of the Small Woods Association and the Royal Forestry Society, as well as £300 towards paying for a course (or courses) to help with managing and enjoying your woodland.

These particulars are for guidance only and, though believed to be correct, do not form part of any contract. Woodland Investment Management Ltd hereby give notice under section 21 of the Estate Agents Act 1979 of their interest in the land being sold.

Aytonhill Wood, Fife - Over 7 acres, £49,000

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