Woodlands.co.uk

SOLD: Garvald Wood £69,000 Freehold

Description

Garvald wood lies on the periphery of a larger block of woodland bounded by a good hard access track to the north and east. The wood is an interesting mix of habits with a section of open mixed woodland with pleasant glades, and a smaller section of dense, young natural regrowth. The canopy is relatively high allowing plenty of light in, creating abundant forest floor growth of ferns, mosses, bramble and honeysuckle. Some understorey is present but this could easily be positively managed for a balanced ecosystem.

The woodland as a whole has a PAWS designation which indicates that the soil conditions are in excellent condition due to the lack or disturbance and are ripe for further planting of native broadleaf species.

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.

There is a growing interest in hut, bothy and temporary shelter building, especially in Scotland; for those interested in erecting a hut or shelter, here is some interesting and very helpful guidance from Reforesting Scotland’s Thousand Hut Campaign. Your Local Planning Authority should also be consulted.

Trees

The conifer stock is a fairly even mix of Scots pine, Sitka and Norway spruce with a scattering of larch and even a few hemlock on the fringes. A good number of nicely maturing oak trees are a welcome broadleaf addition along with a sizeable population of colonising birch. The dense younger area has a fairly even representation of all the species found within the larger wood.

Holly and young conifers give a thin understorey, supplemented by several willows and hawthorn.

Wildlife

A walk through the wood reveals a sizeable number of well-worn paths crisscrossing the woodland floor. These are reliable indicators of transient deer, badgers and foxes. A flash of white as a startled roe springs from cover is a common enough sight. Small poke holes in the thick moss carpet are sure to be the homes of small mustelids.

Sitting quietly encourages a variety of small birds to reveal themselves as they forage throughout the canopy; the staccato rattle the signature tune of a spotted woodpecker. Larger buzzards can be glimpsed soaring above the treetops ever watchful for a meal opportunity.

Features

The woods topography is largely level facilitating easy walking; a boundary drainage channel is home to wetland flora and is an excellent breeding spot for amphibians.

A woodland bench has been installed to encourage peaceful contemplation of nature activities and a small stoned area would be an ideal spot to stack timber ready for the journey to the home stove.

Access, tracks and footpaths

Access to the wood is through a double-gated entrance off the B6355, from here there is an historic hard stone track suitable for most cars that leads to the woodland entrance.

Rights and covenants

The sporting rights are owned and included in the sale.

Activities

Ideally suited for conservation and increasing biodiversity through gentle management, the wood is also a foragers paradise. Brambles and wild raspberry abound and in autumn a large variety of fungi sprout from the moss-covered leaf litter.

Small scale thinning would easily provide a sustainable domestic fuel source, whilst an overnight stopover would give an opportunity to view the nocturnal habits of the local wildlife.

Local area and history

The wood takes its name from the local Amisfield House which was designed by architect Isaac Ware and built of Garvald red freestone for Colonel Francis Charteris.

Garvald stone was quarried around the picturesque village of Gifford which is nearby and sits astride the Gifford Water. It dates from the 17th century and was built to replace the village of Bothans, which housed agricultural workers from the estate. This was demolished to make way for a walled park around Yester House. Despite its agricultural tradition, the village housed industry as well. A thriving linen industry harnessed the energy from the river to manufacture fine textiles.

To the south lie the Lammamuir hills which contain several excellent walking and cycling trails. The Pencaitland Railway Walk which starts in Gifford offers wonderful views of parts of East Lothian that are inaccessible by car. The trees and hedgerows along the route offer shelter to a great diversity of wildlife and many rare wild flowers are established along the embankments.

Wood maps

This wood is now sold, please do not visit the wood without the permission of the owner.

Find this wood

This wood is now sold, please do not visit the wood without the permission of the owner.

Location

  • OS Landranger: OS No. 66
  • Grid ref: NT 507 681
  • Nearest post code: EH41 4JT
  • GPS coordinates: 55.9035, -2.78871

Location map

Directions

Garvald Wood is about 25 miles east of Edinburgh and about 35 miles west of Berwick on Tweed. For Directions From Bing Maps CLICK HERE enter your own postcode (Garvald Wood entrance coordinates are already entered) and click on the blue "Go" box. For Satnav; the postcode EH41 6JT is for the point shown by the red dot on the location map and coordinates are:N55:54:17 and W2:47:09 Or use our directions: From Edinburgh and the west; From the city bypass (A720) take the A68 towards Jedburgh. Pass Dalkeith and turn left at the war memorial taking the A6093 towards Haddington. Go through the village of Pencaitland and turn right at the crossroads signposted Gifford B6355 Continue through East Saltoun for about 1.7 miles, Bolton Muir Woods will appear on the right. Continue along the wood to the main double gated entrance on the right. Park safely in the entrance way and continue on foot through the side gate. At the first junction keep straight on and continue for about 500m, the entrance to the wood is via a well marked ridestop on the left. From Berwick on Tweed and the east; From the A1 take the A6105 signposted Duns and Chirnside. Pass through Chirnside and fork right onto the B6355 towards Cranshaws. Pass Whiteadder resevoir, through Gifford and continue on the B6355 towards Pencaitland. After about 2 miles the main entrance to Bolton Muir Woods will appear on the left. Park safely in the entranceway and continue on foot through the side gate. At the first junction turn right and continue for about 50m, the entrance to the wood is via a well-marked ridestop on the left.

How we support our buyers

Membership of the small woodland owners’ group

£300 for a woodland course of your choice

One year's free membership of the royal forestry society

Please note this wood is owned by woodlands.co.uk.

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 their mobile phone. The first offer at the stated price which is accepted, whether by phone or email, has priority.

Please take care when viewing as the great outdoors can contain unexpected hazards and woodlands are no exception. You should exercise common sense and caution, such as wearing appropriate footwear and avoiding visiting during high winds.

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.

A former plantation woodland with a diverse and beautiful mix of native broadleaf, set in rural East Lothian and within 40 minutes drive of Edinburgh.

Managed by David and Sarah Alty

Telephone: 07795 104 594

Email: [email protected]