The Wee Birks Field

  • The Wee Birks Field, March 2017
  • The Wee Birks Field
  • The Wee Birks Field, March 2017
  • Wee Birks Field brush cutting
  • Trustees viewing the Wee Birks Field
  • Butterbur
  • The Wee Birks Field, March 2017
  • LANTRA Brushcutter Training

Background

The Wee Birks Field was formerly part of Moness Farm and owned by Duncan Alexander Menzies. In 2016, the Duncan Menzies Trust offered the land to Aberfeldy for community use. The price was to cover legal costs only.

After consultation with Perth & Kinross Council, Aberfeldy Community Council, and other local Trusts, it was felt that HPCLT would be the most appropriate Trust to own the land. Unanimous approval by Trustees was followed by a vote among Ordinary members and the acquisition was approved. Legal processes were completed in November 2016. A micro grant from SSE covered approximately one third of HPCLT’s costs.

Archaeology

A walk-over archaeological survey was conducted in March 2017 by Claire Thomas. Three sites were identified: a stone wall; a stone and earth bank; foundations of a small building. This last site is almost certainly the foundations for a ‘Pump Room shed’ in use in the mid 19th century. The stone wall along with the stone and earth bank may originally have formed a loaning, for leading animals to pasture, probably older than the Pump Room.

» Download the full archaeology report from our Downloads page.

Biodiversity

Close to the centre of Aberfeldy, the 1 ha area sits between the Lower Birks and Burns Brae and consists of rough grassland and some trees.  A row of lime trees, allegedly 160 years old, lies along the eastern border and in summer, Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) grows on the southern slopes of the Wee Birks Field.

HPCLT plans to undertake an environmental assessment of the Wee Birks Field looking at soil, trees and flora.

Uses

Possible suggestions for use include, paths and seating areas, community orchard, flower meadow, mountain bike trail, dog walking area, wildlife pond, natural woodland, fenced area with highland cows – all of which are possible providing they meet the aims and objectives of the HPCLT constitution. Consultation with the community is on-going: what do you think The Trust should do?  Send ideas to info@hpclt.org