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Floors Castle sits at the heart of the Roxburghe Estate surrounded by stunning parkland and the River Tweed. Credit: Airborne Lens. -
Hedgerow trees planted at Floors Estate. Credit: Tweed Forum.
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Parkland tree planting protected by sturdy tree box. -
Parkland trees were planted according to original mapping of the estate preserving the look as it was designed over 300 years ago. Credit: Derek Robeson.
As part of Destination Tweed, the Designed Landscapes project is helping to restore important natural and cultural assets along the River Tweed ensuring their legacy for future generations.
Project lead Derek Robeson, Tweed Forum, has been working with historic estates to enhance the value of existing veteran trees and help plant the next generation of amenity trees. Recent work included planting on Roxburghe Estate, specifically within the impressive parkland surrounding the iconic Floors Castle which has centuries of interesting history.
Over the last 10 years, Floors, like many other designed or laid out landscapes from the 18th Century, has suffered from a loss of mature landscape trees as a result of severe weather.
Project lead Derek Robeson said, ‘It was a pleasure to work with Roxburghe Estates. Old maps were looked at to see where parkland trees would have stood many years ago but which have been lost to storms over the years. It is exciting to think that the trees planted today will be there for people to enjoy for many years to come. Floors Castle has such a beautiful setting, made even more special by the wide variety of landscape trees growing there.’
A total of 194 trees were planted at Floors including species such as Oak, Sycamore, Lime, Beech and Giant Redwood.
Roxburghe Estates’ Managing Director, Jaap Röell, commented on the recent work, ‘We are very grateful for the funding provided through the Designed Landscapes Scheme as this allowed us to increase the number of replacement trees planted to preserve the historic policies of Floors Castle. Together with our investment in excluding livestock from the banks of the river Tweed, the newly planted trees and re-emerging wildflowers are allowing us to preserve the look as it was designed to be over 300 years ago.’
The Designed Landscapes project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, Fallago Environment Fund and private contributions.