Bill to trim hedge hits £90k

The owner of the highest hedge in the world, which was last cut nearly 20 years ago, is facing a £90,000 bill for getting it trimmed.

The 500m long beech hedge, which stands taller than 30m, was planted in 1745.

It has been recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the highest hedge in the world.

The hedge, in Meikleour, Perthshire, has not been cut for 18 years due to lack of funds. Owner Sam Mercer Nairne last got the hedge cut in 2000 – but now faces a bill of £90,000.

The costs include managing traffic on the A93, accessing the hedge via a hydraulic platform, and the labour to cut and shape it.

His wife Claire Mercer Nairne said: “In the past it was quite straightforward - Meikleour estate did the work of cutting the hedge by hand. We just hired a hydraulic platform. If I remember the tourist board helped us out.”