Environmentalists describe Barnhillies having a ‘mosaic’ of habitats – low, wet areas or flushes, mixed woodland, river bank, old pastures, rough grassland and scrub.  Whilst we still let the drumlins for sheep grazing, we have a number of projects underway to restore bio-diversity to the rougher areas.

Fencing – is very important to control grazing and encourage the return of flower-filled meadow land.

No grazing is allowed along our small river, Shirmer’s Burn, to encourage species such as otters, spawning sea trout, water voles, dippers and herons.

We have planted over 300 indigenous trees, many grown from our own seeds, creating bio-diversity and protection for birds, insects and small mammals.