Woodlands.co.uk

SOLD: Brodie Wood £55,000 Freehold

Description

Brodie is a lovely woodland of manageable size, with great potential for an owner to shape it for the future. Access is excellent and the existing infrastructure facilitates easy movement to the centre of the woodland. This younger woodland could provide the perfect space for a cabin, either on the edge of the wayleave, or within the northern block of spruce. In the short term there is plenty of opportunity for camping with easy access to water from the stream, (testing would be advisable).

The wayleave provides the perfect opportunity for more shrubby planting along the edges, perhaps with crab apple, blackthorn and field maple to name a few. An alternative could be to accelerate the establishment of a more diverse wildlife meadow, to further diversify and encourage insect life and small mammals.

The Sitka spruce is quite thick at present, with plenty of scope for thinning and raising the crown to allow ease of movement within these conifers. This thinning would allow light to reach the woodland floor, increasing ground cover diversity, while producing a healthy supply of firewood.

This compact wood is still at a stage where it is manageable for those making their first foray into woodland ownership, the woods at Gateside have sold quickly so far and early viewing is recommended.

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

Brodie Wood is dominated by two thick stands of Sitka spruce that will provide an abundant amount of quality timber in due course. Sitka makes up around half of all commercial timber production in the UK and has many uses from paper to pallets. Though dense commercial planting does not allow much in the way of other tree species, it does provide cover for small mammals. During the creation of sheltered glades to increase diversity, it would provide an abundant domestic fuel source swell as nursery protection to further planting.

Towards the stream is an abundant stand of sycamore that will provide a sustainable yield of firewood too. Although it is not a native species it is also fairly resilient to tree diseases.

Wildlife

The woods are rich in wildlife and, as we head towards Spring, with nesting birds aplenty. The stream attracts wildlife of all types, from larger mammals such as deer, foxes and badgers, to smaller amphibians. In general the woods are rarely visited by the public and as such wildlife thrives.

Features

There is a stream that flows adjacent to the woodland; the boundary of the wood goes right up to the stream.

Access, tracks and footpaths

The access track has recently been upgraded with on site material with plenty available for any future maintenance needs.

Rights and covenants

All sporting rights are sold with the woodland, however the mineral rights have been retained by the Coal Board. In the era of diminishing carbon extraction and use, it would seem extremely unlikely that these rights will ever be called upon again.

Activities

The woods at Gateside are very private with little outside use apart from immediate neighbours. They have proven ideal for those looking to explore the potentials of hutting.

Local area and history

Gateside Woodland sits directly next to the small ex-mining village of Standburn, with the closest town being Falkirk about 6 miles away.

Falkirk sits on the junction of the Forth and Clyde and Union Canals and as such became an important trade route and hub of heavy industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. The steel industry was dominant as was coal mining, necessary to feed the engine of industrialisation. The area is now more dependant on tourism and retail, with many old mining sites reverting to woodland.

Nearby attractions include the Falkirk Wheel and The Helix, home of the famous Kelpie art installation.

Edinburgh is only twenty miles away and Glasgow 30 miles,making these woods very accessible from the city.

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. 65
  • Grid ref: NS 925 742
  • Nearest post code: FK1 2HN
  • GPS coordinates: 55.9496, -3.72214

Location map

Directions

  • Coming in from the M9.
  • Take the A801 heading towards Armadale
  • At the first roundabout take the B825 heading towards Avonbridge.
  • The woods are just past the village of Standburn on the left.
  • Park by the metal gate but in a way that does not restrict access.
  • Just before this entrance is another roadside metal gate and this is the entrance to two woods.
  • The ridestop is 60m down this track.

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 fine young woodland within easy reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Managed by Torquil Varty and Rachel Bower

Telephone: 01307 467393

Telephone: 07803 903 203

Email: torquilandrachel@woodlands.co.uk