SOLD: Knox Wood £69,000 Freehold
- Bolton Muir, Gifford, East Lothian
- just under 5 acres
- Southern Scotland and Northumberland
-
Mixed conifer and birch woodland
-
Main entrance off the B6355
-
Excellent access track
-
Ride stop entrance
-
Light, airy and level
-
Easy to walk around
-
Path alongside northern boundary
-
Open areas
-
Majestic Scots pine
-
Naturally regenerated birch
-
Rustic bridges
-
Beautiful birch
-
Ancient beech hedge
-
Fabulous ferns
-
Drainage channels
-
Water life
-
Primroses
-
Wild strawberries
-
Woodland floor
-
Coconut perfumed gorse
-
Take it all in!
-
-
-
Description
Knox Wood is located in the northern portion of the extensive Bolton Muir woodlands. Level throughout, the planted Scots pines are well-spaced, their irregular canopies allowing plenty of light through, giving the wood a pleasant open feel. Historically the wood has been thoughtfully thinned which has allowed a profusion of birch trees to become established, especially on the eastern side where the thinning was more vigorous. A network of drainage channels ensures that the wood is largely dry underfoot and has the added benefit of creating an additional microhabitat well-suited to amphibians and damp-loving plants.
Underfoot, a carpet of mosses and heather make for pleasant going with seasonal woodland blooms adorning the verges and pathways.
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
To the west of the wood, the trees are mainly native Scots pine; moving to the east they become more thinly spaced with gaps filled by a profusion of young birch. An ancient and overgrown beech hedge makes up the northern boundary against the B6355.
Throughout the wood are scattered a few self-seeded beeches with the occasional holly and willow along the trackside drainage channel.
The woodland floor is an interesting mix of mosses and ferns with lowland heather and the occasional blueberry and bramble.
Wildlife
The presence of transient deer and badger is evidenced by several narrow pathways which crisscross the landscape. Small poke holes in the mossy carpet are sure indicators of the home of stoats and weasels.
Throughout the understorey a variety of finches and tits flit from bough to bough, whilst at ground level wrens and robins compete for an insect lunch.
The network of drainage channels gives seasonal standing water habitat for frogs, toads and other amphibians always on the lookout for fresh breeding grounds.
Features
The wood features pleasant easy access with a rustic bench provided to encourage a restful approach to wildlife watching. A good hardstanding exists which would be an excellent stacking and drying area for timber gathered whilst managing the wood.
Access, tracks and footpaths
Access into the wood is via a double gated entrance off the Gifford to Pencaitland B6355, this opens onto a well-made stone track leading to the ridestop entrance to the wood. From this point onwards, small pathways lead into the woods with footbridge crossing points over the drainage ditches.
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 forager's paradise. Brambles and 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 woodland's name is a nod to that famous Scot reformer John Knox, who was reputed to have been born in nearby Haddington in 1505. Exiled into Europe due to his clash with the catholic Mary 1st, he returned to establish the Scottish Presbyterian church.
To the south of the wood 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 510 681
- Nearest post code: EH41 4JT
- GPS coordinates: 55.9044, -2.78498
Location map
Directions
Knox 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 (Knox 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 the 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 entranceway and continue on foot through the side gate. At the first junction turn left and continue for about 100m, 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 reservoir, 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 left and continue for about 100m, 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 mixed conifer and naturally regenerated birch woodland with diverse ground flora, located in the heart of East Lothian and within easy reach of Edinburgh.
