Borders Forest Trust

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Borders Forest Trust

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Borders Forest Trust, Environmental conservation organisation, Monteviot Nurseries, Ancrum.

Our vision for the south of Scotland is for a place where a rich tapestry of native woodlands and wild places can flourish, cared for by the local communities that live there.

27/08/2026

We are really sad to be saying goodbye to our Native Woodland Lead, Hannah, this week 💚

Hannah has been with BFT for over four years, and has been an absolute joy to have on our team. Her wonderful, bubbly energy and fantastic knowledge will be greatly missed.

During her work at BFT, Hannah has coordinated and facilitated the planting of 130,000 trees, in partnership with local landowners and community groups.

Please join us in wishing Hannah the very best for her move back to Wales, and for her exciting new avian adventures in Curlew conservation 💚🌳✨

14/08/2026

New free course!

Interested in a career in ecological restoration, rewilding, or land management? 🌿

We're delighted to be launching Wilder Futures, a nature-based programme aimed at young people and adults (18+) who wish to explore careers in ecological restoration, rewilding, or woodland management. 💚

🌳 10 weekly sessions, in-person, based mainly from our Drygrange site near Melrose in the Scottish Borders, starting on Friday 30th October 2026.

👉 Interested, or know someone who might be? Email Hermione, our Volunteer and Communities Officer, at [email protected] to find out more and register. We'll be delighted to hear from you!

Dumfries and Galloway! Whats Going on ?

05/08/2026

Celebrating our incredible volunteers in the Wild Heart this tree planting season! 🌱

This year saw one of our biggest volunteer efforts… ever! 💚

Our incredible volunteers worked across our Wild Heart sites at Corehead, Ericstane and Talla & Gameshope, in all weathers, braving the hills come rain, shine, fog, wind, sleet and snow.

Each little native tree - such as oak, willow, alder, birch, and rowan - was carefully planted, and the grand total for 2025-6 planting was an incredible 25,625 trees in the ground! 🌳🌳🌳

To every volunteer, supporter and partner: THANK YOU! Your dedication, strength, and passion made all of this possible. We’re already excited for what next season will bring. 💚

Want to get involved next season, starting in the autumn? Email Adrian at [email protected] to find out more and join us - we'd love to have you with us on the hill 🌱

What was your favourite BFT memory of this season? A certain tree planted, a view, a wildlife sighting, or a community moment?

Share it with us in the comments, we’d love to hear!

Our hugest thanks to Rabbie's, Tweed Forum, Rotary Scotland South, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, through Destination Tweed UK; One Tree Planted; EOCA European Outdoor Conservation Association,
, ; Woodland Trust Scotland; Carbon Footprint Ltd.
Thanks also to the folk who grow the trees - Alba Trees Ltd, WoodlandsTrust, and . 💚

Photos thanks to: Pete Scullion, N. Hunt, C. Brannigan, A. Wilson, and A. Monaghan.

22/07/2026

There are still a few tickets left for our tour of ancient and heritage trees in the Scottish Borders! 🌳✨

Led by Borders Forest Trust and heritage‑tree expert Keith Knight, this guided minibus tour offers rare access to extraordinary trees (including several on private land!), and a chance to discover the stories, history & ecology behind them 🌿

📅 Saturday 12th September
⏰ 10am – 5pm
📍 Meet at the Jedburgh Elm, Jedburgh
🚐 Minibus transport included!

Please wear sturdy footwear and bring warm layers, water, and a packed lunch. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

💚 Sliding‑scale donations: £20 • £60 • £95
Your contribution supports our work restoring the Wild Heart of Southern Scotland, and connecting communities to local landscapes.

🎟️ Booking essential! Eventbrite link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-and-ancient-tree-tour-tickets-1988000494996

10/07/2026

We had a wonderful Ethnobotany Walk lead by Hermione at the Haining in Selkirk this week - thank you to everyone that joined us! 💚

The group enjoyed exploring the relationship between native trees, wild plants and people. We identified some of the plants growing in our local area, learned how they were traditionally used, and explored the ways they can still support us today. 🌳

We discussed lime flower tea, meadowsweet baths, birch for weatherproofing, willow bark for rooting powder, elderflower's antiviral properties, tea from rosebay willowherb, hawthorn preserve (and ketchup!), how red clover can support women's health, and much more! 🌿

Knowledge was shared and enjoyed by all, and we had many wonderful discussions about the incredible histories, mythologies, traditions and uses for our local and native plants.
This event was a collaboration between Borders Forest Trust and Bright Green Nature as part of the Selkirk Nature Network event series, and in celebration of BFT's 30 years of landscape recovery in the South of Scotland. 💚

07/07/2026

Check out these beautiful photos of small pearl bordered fritillary (1-2) and Mother Shipton moth (3) at , taken by our Wild Heart Site Officer, Catriona. 🦋

On the 15th July, BFT staff will be joined by Malcolm Haddow from SWSEIC (South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre) for a session on Biological Recording & Moth ID: 10am–3pm at Corehead, near Moffat.

Join us and learn all about biological recording and how to submit records to iRecord. We will start by IDing moths, before heading out to look at various habitats in the in-bye land at Corehead including wetland, meadows and historic woodland and recording what we find!

Email [email protected] for more information and to register. 💚

All photos © C. Patience, June 2026.

Dumfries and Galloway! Whats Going on ?

01/07/2026

Upcoming: Wild Heart Sessions - Music in the Cabin - don't miss this! 💚🎶
Sunday 12th July, 2pm - 4.30pm at the Corehead Cabin. We'd love to see you there!
Dumfries and Galloway! Whats Going on ?

29/06/2026

Does your inbox feel a little lacking in… trees? 🌳🌳🌳

We can fix that!

Sign up to 'Words from the Woods', our free monthly email newsletter, and each month we'll send a little slice of Southern Scotland's Wild Heart straight to your inbox.

Expect woodland stories, restoration updates, community news, upcoming events, beautiful landscapes, and plenty of reasons to feel hopeful about nature 💚

It only takes a moment to sign up (just don't forget to click the confirmation email!), and then you'l officially be part of our collective woodland wander.

📧 Link in bio, or sign up here:
https://bordersforesttrust.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d71de06b2dfede71d79ee7a36&id=f69214299c

Warning: May cause (or increase!) spontaneous tree appreciation, and the urge to point excitedly at birds.

Photo: Carrifran Wildwood, © Colin McLean, 2026.

23/06/2026

There's still time to apply for our Wild Heart Site Manager vacancy! Closing date: Noon on Monday 29 June 2026 💚🌿

Do you want to help shape the future of landscape-scale ecological restoration in Southern Scotland? We're recruiting a Wild Heart Site Manager, who will be responsible for managing the delivery of land management and engagement activity across BFT’s four Wild Heart ecological restoration sites in Southern Scotland.

This post will involve managing a range of conservation and engagement projects within the Wild Heart sites, ensuring that they are delivered safely to a high standard and within agreed timeframes and budgets. Health and safety will be a responsibility of the Site Manager to ensure necessary policies and procedures are in place and adhered to in order to keep staff, volunteers, visitors, contractors and the sites safe.

The Site Manager will ensure that the Wild Heart sites are safe, accessible, well maintained and welcoming and are delivering BFT’s vision of landscape scale ecological restoration in the South of Scotland that benefits wildlife, the environment and people.

Further details and how to apply here: https://bordersforesttrust.org/about-us/jobs

# EnvironmentalJobs

22/06/2026

Join us for a relaxed summer evening of creativity in the orchard, part of BFT's 30th Anniversary events!

🍎 Lino Printing at Crailing Community Orchard

🍐 Tuesday 28th July, 6:00 – 8:30pm

☀️ Book via Eventbrite - link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lino-printing-in-the-orchard-tickets-1988001317456

In this hands‑on workshop, you’ll learn the basics of lino printing nature-inspired artwork, surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of the orchard.
We’ll guide you through designing, carving, and printing your own unique orchard-inspired artwork. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already love printmaking, this session offers a chance to slow down, make something beautiful, and enjoy the outdoors!

The session will be led by Juliet Porter - where the skylark sings - talented local artist and orchard expert.

All materials are provided, and you’ll leave with your finished prints, plus the skills to keep creating at home.

Come ready to unwind, experiment, and get a little inky!

We want this event to be as accessible as possible. We also hope to raise some funds to support our ongoing work and ensure we can continue for another 30 years. As such, we’re offering ticket pricing on a sliding scale basis, allowing you to contribute in a way that reflects your own financial situation.

Suggested Donations:
🍏 Subsidised Ticket: £15
🍎 Cover Our Costs: £40
🍐 Supporter Ticket: £60

Your support, at any level, will help us continue to provide opportunities like this and keep our community and ecological work thriving.

Address

Monteviot Nurseries
Ancrum
TD86TU

Telephone

+441835830750

Website

http://www.bordersforesttrust.org/

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