About Us

THIS IS A PCT PROJECT UNDER THE DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

Eshiels Community Wood occupies around seven hectares – just 17 acres – alongside the River Tweed in an environmentally sensitive area that accommodates one kilometre of the Sustrans Tweed Valley Railway Path.

There are great possibilities for family picnics, open days and guided events. One of our groups leads forest schools and this is a great outdoor classroom. Part of the woodland was felled in 2006 to allow access to the recycling centre next door and was subsequently replanted by scouts and other volunteers with hundreds of native trees. 

Its purchase by Peebles Community Trust extended that community investment in designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a site that is strictly protected under the European Community Habitats Directive covering those considered to be most in need of conservation. It is also a designated SSSI – Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Eshiels Woodland Group came together more than two years ago, combining individuals with expertise and interest in forestry, woodland management, ecology, and the environment and green issues. They were aware that Forestry Enterprise Scotland intended to dispose of the woodland and wanted to acquire it on behalf of the local community in order to protect a much-loved local asset from clear felling or speculative ownership, and encourage activities to enhance the landscape, improve biodiversity, secure public access, safeguard cycle route. The group’s involvement led to discovery of the rare currant shoot borer moth Lampronia capitella, considered extinct in Scotland since 1988, and known at only ten sites in England. This is a great place – great to walk, great for picnics. There are exciting possibilities for trials of woodland management techniques such as coppicing, and the gradual extraction of timber for things like wood fuel, bean sticks.

 The aim is to leave most of the broadleaf trees in situ and plant more. Some Cyprus spruce now 100 ft tall, planted in 1928, will be retained as magnificent and rare specimens. Management will also enable more food for river trout by encouraging invertebrates – fish, bird and bat food.