https://www.bavelawestate.org/farm daily 0.75 2021-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626273592077-PNY49XH5N4ZSTOVCIGDR/bavelaw-lleyn.jpg The Farm - Sheep farming The last 5 years have seen a significant shift away from an extensive sheep flock, to a much more focussed and specific breeding programme for hardy but productive animals, symbiotic for the moorland landscape and our conservation objectives, as well as an economically viable and a very desirable product. We have reduced the flock by 50%, breed the Black Face ewes with Lleyn tups and then crossed the gimmers with South Country Cheviots, and at the same time significantly improved the nutritious and taste quality.. Our current stocking rate is at 1 animal to 10 acres. We are carbon net-zero, quality assured and preparing for the first year of conversion to organic. We have idealistic outdoor husbandry, and grow an excellent grass and moorland fed lamb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626273610094-38NMCMALADH84KZP3FJ2/bavelaw-forestry-and-biodiversity.jpg The Farm - Forestry and biodiversity The estate has planted over 65 ha (100,000+ trees) of native woodland in the last 4 years. Predominantly Scots Pine, but with a range of over 20 other native woodland species. Each year we look to plant approximately 20,000 trees and re-wild areas of the estate and build on natural capital, ground-nesting bird habitat and wetlands for insect additionality and wader birdlife habitat creation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626941055258-XPEJN7L08ZA5WZTU2FSV/Riparian-and-ecology.jpg The Farm - Water and riparian ecology We mange the sporting rights to the Threipmuir reservoirs, and lease out the fishing to one of Scotland’s oldest fishing clubs, the Threipmuir Angling club. This provides a role in the local community with many people enjoying fishing on the loch. We also are active in the conservation of the reservoir wildfowl riparian and aquatic ecology, ensuring the water levels are not exploited, lowering it to a catastrophic low level. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626190353193-6H56S4EJMJMWZ3UKY8W3/net-zero-carbon.jpg The Farm - Net Zero Carbon The farm is audited for its carbon footprint and we are carbon negative, we absorb more carbon than we emit, without taking into account the carbon sequestration on the moorland. We are committed to net zero carbon and feel this adds considerable value to our management approach and in time should reflect additional value to lamb prices - the equivalent of organic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626273629933-EOUNHAMLS1G9EO63UHBG/bavelaw-access.jpg The Farm - Access We manage public access to the Estate with a dedicated plan of improvement. In the last 5 years, we have upgraded and made previously inaccessible areas possible to enjoy by less able visitors. We have upgraded over 6 kilometres and 7,861 sq m of pathways. We have also made the access points safer for families to use paths and enjoy the experience of walking on the estate. The Estate is under enormous environmental pressure and we hope that responsible access is followed, and walkers keep dogs on leads and importantly use the paths, stopping moorland erosion and disruption to wildlife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626273682238-AN47PG9JXWKRSURM2BTZ/bavelaw-scots-pine.jpg The Farm - Carbon Sequestration Carbon sequestration - the rate and quantity of carbon emissions absorbed by biomass, with Edinburgh and Glasgow being in the same central belt of Scotland the Pentland Hills, a carbon sink and sequestration by moorland and forestry is critical to air quality and well being. The moorland has naturally been the life support and silent champion of this cycle. Not absorbing carbon increases the acidification of the soil and water. https://www.bavelawestate.org/wildlife daily 0.75 2021-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626272682769-4ZSNSOAUIKXJQSL0MJI6/bavelaw-meadow-pipit.jpg Wildlife - Data collection We are working on a downloadable mobile app that logs data and makes available to everyone sightings of common birds and more exotic migratory visitors. The Meadow Pipit above uses the estate as a migration route, looping over the Firth of Forth and then down South. We are grateful to the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) for all their assistance in collecting and making available this data. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626271830384-CSBRUGGI80T1OXM8OGXU/bavelaw-hawker-dragonfly.jpg Wildlife - Build it - WES mission The Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) initiative aims to promote the best habitat and wildlife management practices, build recognition and raise standards. The key aims of the initiative are to: Promote best practice in wildlife and habitat management Build information on species and their habitats, wildlife management, conservation projects and integration with other land uses to monitor continuous improvement Use information to engage public and private stakeholders in encouraging best practice management for further maintenance of Scotland’s biodiversity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626272711783-JIQCFODGFGDJ4J9DG5RG/bavelaw-macrothylacia-rubi.jpg Wildlife - Ecology & education It is essential that we follow the Muirburn code The burning and cutting of rank old heather rejuvenates young healthy growth and stops accidental destructive wild fires and deep peat destruction, It also provides a varied growth habitat and valuable nutritious food for wildlife that is dependant on heather. The Education of the habitat, the ecology and nature that lives on the Estate is a project we are working on for 2022. With a dedicated member of the estate team updating accessibility to information. We are also fortunate to have the continued support of WES. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626271726095-89TSHP4P9ANSNOP4XUBG/bavelaw-curlew.jpg Wildlife - Dream it - WES background Wildlife Estates (WE) was first promoted as a best practice concept in 2004, with the European Landowners Organisation (ELO) taking the lead on its development as a LIFE project from 2005. It gained enthusiastic support from the EC’s Directorate-General Environment in Brussels, paving the way for a Scottish equivalent in 2010, with the first pilot estates gaining accreditation in 2013. 19 European countries now support the WE Initiative. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626271900597-MJ3Z1TF4W27DFXYHCXFY/wes-logo.jpg Wildlife - Bavelaw Estate gains Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) Bavelaw Estate in the Pentland Hills has passed our WES accreditation assessment in May. Over the last five years, The estate have enhanced habitat across the board, including planting over 50 ha of mixed native woodland, peatland restoration, the creation of wetland areas, including wader scrapes and ponds, restoration of riparian habitats and heather and bracken swiping as well as connecting wildlife corridors. Additionally, restoring 7,861 sq Km of public access paths. The assessor was extremely impressed with the integrated management direction the Estate is taking and specifically referenced the undeniable passion and enthusiasm for nature that both the landowner and his employees have. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626272757213-Q1LDYNLWWRPG5B8IXG1Q/bavelaw-skylark.jpg Wildlife - Shared Responsibility Bavelaw is the home to a range of extraordinary rare and beautiful ground-nesting birds, like the magnificent Skylark pictured above. By the nature of their breeding, nesting on the moorland and open landscape, they are hugely vulnerable to predation, human disruption and the weather. The Estate is one of only a handful of conservation sites left in the Scottish central belt, where breeding is possible, It is easy to help contribute to their conservation and protection of habitat by - please keep to the paths and keep dogs on leads. https://www.bavelawestate.org/home daily 1.0 2025-04-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626271515840-2RQC95VIN83EMINWRE6V/bavelaw-homepage-1.jpg Home - Conservation of our moorland, moorland habitat and moorland nature. Sitting in the stunning Pentland Hills - Bavelaw Estate is a unique moorland habitat, home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, insects, flora and fauna. The Estate is committed to the critical issues of today, biodiversity loss, habitat restoration, wetland creation, native woodland regeneration, responsible access, carbon sequestration and carbon net zero farming https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626271554940-2K62DXBAYZZCMLBHS189/bavelaw-homepage-3.jpg Home - Our moorland eco-system is under unprecedented threat from climate change, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and urbanisation. We are dedicated to an environmental and conservation management plan, commitment to WES, and responsible access. This moorland landscape could disappear, along with the wildlife and all the species of mammal, birds, insects, flora and fauna.. In harmony with environmental management plans, the moorlands can be protected by responsible access, keeping to the pathways, keeping dogs on leads, helping by minimal wildlife disturbance and stopping peatland erosion. The environmental value of moorlands has been overlooked, many have been forced into disastrous alternative use, the catalyst for overgrazing, mono culture forestry or invasive bracken, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626271373669-XFSKR758Z7XBOX4DEVSW/bavelaw-lapwing.jpg Home - Habitat and wildlife management - Wildlife Estate Scotland (WES) Bavelaw Estate is a fully accredited area of conservation, with wildlife and habitat management plans that underpin our best practice and support other land mangers to adopt WES into a Pentland Hill WES cluster Maintaining species and habitats records Conservation and collaborative work Integration with other land management activities, such as farming, forestry and tourism Social, economic and cultural aspects, such as employment, community engagement and communications. https://www.bavelawestate.org/contact daily 0.75 2021-08-18 https://www.bavelawestate.org/history daily 0.75 2021-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626273990783-L2U223HVAROYOMPW49LQ/bavelaw-the-estate.jpg History - Estate, PLMA and PHRP The lands of Bavelaw Estate date back to the 13th Century when it formed part of the King’s Hunting Moor of Pentland and was first held by Henry de Brade, Knight and Sheriff of Edinburgh during the reign of William the Lion. The estate is now made up of Bavelaw, Listonshiels and Fairliehope, and forms a significant part of the moorland habitat of the Pentland Hills. The lands of Bavelaw and Listonshiels sit in the - Pentland Hill Regional Park (PHRP), being designated in 1986. With funding restrictions, it now has made it essential that we progress the required improvements, benefitting access and wildlife. Fairliehope is outside the PHRP and is the northernmost part of the Scottish Borders. The estate is a founder partner of the - Pentland Land Managers Association (PLMA). The PLMA was set up to give land mangers a voice in the The City of Edinburgh PHRP Committee and support the PHRP and local community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626273967897-UFMYRQ5J22NFTCJGKMEV/bavelaw-mary-queen-of-scots.png History - Scottish heritage Bavelaw Estate has an important Scottish heritage, both Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587) and James VI (1566-1625) stayed at Bavelaw and used the estate as a royal hunting lodge. At the centre of the estate is Bavelaw Castle, which dates back to the 15th Century. The geology of the estate is equally as fascinating, shaped by volcanic mounds and glacial meltwaters, reformed sandstones together with some conglomerates, all of Devonian age and assigned to the Old Red Sandstone. Within the sedimentary sequence are extrusive igneous rocks, principally of basaltic and andesitic composition. The sedimentary rocks are also intruded by dykes of porphyrite. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60bf4933d7b8294743ce5500/1626274005967-ZT5H05NNZZVUW1VXI4PK/bavelaw-present-day.jpg History - Present day Bavelaw Estate is a family home, and belongs to, and is managed by the Douglas Miller family, previous owners of the Oldest Independent Scottish department store - Jenners of Edinburgh (1838-2005). The management of the estate is supported by a professional management team, the Lawrence Gould Partnership, investing in the long term future of the lands and property, fit for future generations.