1. Border
  2. 2 updates

Woodland for rent

A man from Dumfries and Galloway has become the first person ever to rent a woodland in Scotland.

Live updates

Pilot scheme will run for 18 months

"It's very hard to work in the woodland, there's not many opportunities to do so. I've put a five year management plan in so the first year is just generally tidying up.

"I'm not going to fell the whole place in 18 months, so I'm just cutting blocks here and there just to tidy it up a bit."

– Mark Rowe

"Mark will be responsible for 37 hectares of this woodland, he'll have to conserve and look after the trees but then he'll be able to fell them and sell them for firewood, and make a profit.

"The pilot scheme, set up by the Scottish Woodlot Association, will run for 18 months.

"It bases itself on a similar project in British Columbia which has been running for 30 years and is now an integral part of forestry management."

– William Allen, Scottish Woodlot Association

Scotland's first woodland tenant

Mark Rowe will be the first tenant of a woodland in Scotland Credit: ITV News Border

A man from Dumfries and Galloway has become the first person ever to rent a woodland in Scotland.

Mark Rowe will be responsible for the conservation of 37 hectares of land near Stranraer, but he will also be able to fell trees and make a profit.

Mark Rowe tending to trees Credit: ITV News Border

It is part of a pilot project to help get more people involved in managing woodlands.

Almost a quarter of Scotland is covered by forests, but it is only now that people are able to rent and manage them for themselves.

Mark Rowe working in the woods Credit: ITV News Border

By paying an annual fee to the land owner, Mr Rowe will be able to generate an income from woodlands at the Corsewall Estate near Stranraer, in return for helping with conservation.

Advertisement

Back to top