HELP BORDERS FOREST TRUST TO BUY THE DEVIL'S BEEF TUB!

Borders Forest Trust, in December 2007, agreed a legal option to buy a stunning area of land in the central Southern Uplands, Corehead Farm. This unique section of the Southern Uplands covers some 1,500 acres (640 hectares) and contains two of the most iconic and significant landscape features in south Scotland, The Devil's Beef Tub and Hartfell, the highest hill in Dumfriesshire. The farm lies across the landscape and is almost corrugated in appearance because of the many hills and valleys that lie within it.

Corehead is famous for its association with William Wallace, whose sister married the lord of Corehead Tower, Sir Thomas Halliday, for the role the Devil's Beef Tub played as a hiding place for cattle during the time of the Border Reivers, and as a source of the River Annan.

John and Berenice Williams, the current owners of Corehead, agreed sale terms with Borders Forest Trust because they wish to see the land managed in a way that encourages wildlife and biodiversity and restores traditional agricultural practices. They will continue to live at Corehead and have retained a small section of land round the farm house and steading. The legal agreement between the Trust and John and Bernice was signed at Christmas 2007 and gives the Trust some sixteen months to raise the purchase price for the land and the stock. We are looking to raise some £700,000 for the land purchase, as well as the purchase of the livestock and the Single Farm Payment.

The bulk of the land that the Trust hopes to buy is mostly unimproved hill ground that has been used for centuries as sheep grazing. Very little of the original vegetation remains and woodland and heath have all but disappeared. There is a tiny fragment of native woodland hidden within a steep gully on the Tweed Hope Burn and small patches of heather on the steeper and more inaccessible slopes of Hartfell.

The Trust is planning to restore native woodlands in appropriate areas, montane scrub on the high tops, and heather moorland and wetland wherever possible. We envisage species rich hay meadows and wet meadows within a matrix of native hedgerows on the lower lying ground and wood pasture parkland on the shoulders of the many hill slopes that lie across the site. We intend to encourage wildlife and habitats to flourish.

Please help us realise our vision for this land by contributing to our Corehead Purchase Fund. The deadline is ambitious but we are determined that we can raise the money needed in time. Any size of donation is greatly appreciated and you can be sure that it will be used for no other purpose than the purchase of Corehead. Please make cheques payable to Borders Forest Trust - Corehead. Many thanks!