News 
Medieval Forest Brought To Life
28 September 2009
During a partnership event between The Crown Estate and Dumfries & Galloway Council Ranger Service last weekend, walkers chanced upon a medieval knight in a walk through ancient semi-natural woodland owned by the Crown Estate in Wamphray Glen, Dumfriesshire. The glen walk, which passes by the site of an ancient motte and bailey castle, formed part of a series of events across Scotland designed to support the work of the Forest Stewardship Council.
Mike Libera, senior forest manager with The Crown Estate said: “We wanted to support the events being run by the Forest Stewardship Council, which aim to raise awareness of the FSC logo as a mark of responsible forestry and highlight the fact that forests and woodlands in the UK and internationally need to be well-managed. This joint event with Dumfries & Galloway Ranger Service offered the perfect opportunity to promote the FSC whilst also enabling people to learn more about the fascinating history of this site.”
Walkers heard spellbinding tales of battle, feast and famine from the knight, who was estimated to be at least 800 years old. Nithsdale Ranger, Tom Henry also explained about the medieval wildlife and plants that would be found in the glen at that time. On the return leg of the walk participants passed through Wamphray Churchyard where Historic Environment Record Officer, Andy Nicholson (alias the knight!), explained the significance and importance of some of the rare archaeology found in the area.
All of The Crown Estate woodlands are FSC certified, having been independently assessed through the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS). Mike Libera explains: “FSC certification means that our woods are well managed with consideration for the environment, wildlife and the people who live and work in and around them.”
The organisation has estates throughout Britain that produce softwood and hardwood timber which can bear the FSC Logo, including here at Applegirth, and others such as Glenlivet, Windsor and Dunster. In order to maintain certified status, the estate has to undergo a rigorous annual audit of its woodland management practices by an independent certification body.
ends
Notes to editors:
• On behalf of the nation, The Crown Estate manages a highly diverse £6 billion property portfolio across the UK. The value of its holdings in Scotland is £237 million.
• Its objectives, which are laid down by Parliament under The Crown Estate Act 1961, include enhancing the value of the estate and the revenue it produces.
• Every year The Crown Estate pays all of its surplus revenue to the UK Treasury for the benefit of all UK taxpayers: in 2008/09 this was £226.5 million. £15.5 million of this came from Scotland.
• The core values of commercialism, integrity and stewardship, guide and inform all Crown Estate business activities.
• The Crown Estate is committed to working in partnership with the Scottish Government and members of the Scottish Parliament, local authorities and a wide range of other stakeholders to safeguard the long term interests of the environment and the communities with which we work.
• In Scotland, The Crown Estate includes:
The marine estate consists of over half the foreshore and the seabed out to the 12 nautical mile territorial limit. The Crown Estate has the right to explore and utilise the resources of the UK continental shelf (excluding oil, gas and coal), including the right to license renewable energy in the form of offshore wind, wave and tidal power. We are working with our partners to ensure that Scotland is well placed to take advantage of the benefits that renewables will bring through employment and by reducing carbon emissions.
The rural estate in Scotland comprises 43,000 hectares and includes the Glenlivet, Fochabers, Applegirth, Stirling and Whitehill estates. It includes 185 agricultural tenancies and 102 residential properties.
The urban estate includes retail property in Edinburgh.
• The Crown Estate in Scotland is managed from its Edinburgh Office at 6 Bells Brae Edinburgh EH4 3BJ.
