A fine young woodland within easy reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Located Standburn, Avonbridge, Falkirk. ## Region This wood is in the [Northern Scotland](https://tom.woodlands.co.uk/buying-a-wood/northern-scotland) region. ## Agent This wood is managed by Torquil Varty and Rachel Bower. They can be contacted by email torquilandrachel@woodlands.co.uk or phone 01307 467393 07803 903 203 . ## DescriptionBrodie 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.
### TreesBrodie 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.
### WildlifeThe 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.
### FeaturesThere is a stream that flows adjacent to the woodland; the boundary of the wood goes right up to the stream.
### Access, tracks and footpathsThe access track has recently been upgraded with on site material with plenty available for any future maintenance needs.
### Rights and covenantsAll 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.
As is the case for all our woodlands, the purchaser will be asked to enter into a covenant which serves to protect the peace and quiet of the woodland. ### ActivitiesThe 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 historyGateside 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.
## Location * OS Landranger: OS No. 65 * Grid ref: NS 925 742 * Nearest post code: FK1 2HN * GPS coordinates: 55.9496, -3.72214 ### Directions