Out of the blue: legacy secures future of Perthshire woodland

charity: Plans to enhance woods with native trees and halt overgrazing

One of Scotland’s most spectacular bluebell woods, where William Wallace gathered booty from a besieged castle, has been purchased by a charity for £740,000.

Ballathie Bluebell Wood near Kinclaven in Perthshire gave Wallace and his army shelter after they attacked the English garrison at nearby Kinclaven Castle and burned the fortress following a siege in 1297.

Woodland Trust Scotland has been able to purchase the wood thanks to “a substantial legacy” from a long-term supporter in Tayside.

The charity, which manages 60 sites covering almost 10,000ha of Scotland, plans to secure and enhance the woods with native trees – as it would have looked in Wallace’s day – and reforest adjacent grassland cleared of trees in the 1940s and 50s.

Woodland Trust Scotland director Carol Evans said: “We are delighted to have this special wood under our care. The springtime display of bluebells is simply breathtaking.

“The gentle slope of the ground combines with the blooms to produce a blue haze which seems to go on forever. We think it is the most spectacular display in Scotland.

“The purchase has been made possible by a substantial legacy from a Woodland Trust supporter whose family wishes to remain anonymous.

“There was a stipulation that the money should be spent in Tayside. When this wood came on the market it was the perfect fit.

“We plan to secure and enhance the existing woodland and plant new woods alongside.”

The site comprises a 125 acre ancient oakwood called North Wood, where it is thought Wallace hid, and 79 acres of grassland known locally as Court Hill.

Woodland Trust Scotland is calling the site Ballathie Bluebell Wood, after the spectacular carpets of the violet-blue flowers. However, communities will be consulted to find out how it is known locally.

The trust has plans to protect Ballathie from the threats of overgrazing and invasive species.

There is little natural regeneration because of overgrazing by deer. Fencing will be repaired and naturally regenerating saplings will be protected using tubes. Invasive rhododendron will be removed.

Court Hill’s now bare grassland was covered in trees up until the 1940s and 50s. Some 30,000 native trees will be planted, creating a stronger and more resilient landscape by linking and buffering the existing ancient woodland.

Public access will be free. There are also plans to create new parking spaces to accommodate more visitors, especially at bluebell time.

The gentle slope of the ground combines with the blooms to produce a blue haze which seems to go on forever. TRUST DIRECTOR CAROL EVANS

Ballathie Bluebell Wood gave William Wallace and his army shelter after they attacked the English garrison at nearby Kinclaven Castle.