In November last year the largest community buyout in south Scotland realised its ambitious goal by raising enough money to buy some moorland from Buccleuch Estates in Langholm with the intention of turning it from a former grouse moor in to a thriving nature reserve for the benefit of the local community, the environment and for visitors from further afield (see here).
[Langholm Moor when it was being run as a grouse moor. Photo by Ruth Tingay]
The purchase of over 5,000 acres and six properties from Buccleuch Estates is currently being finalised and excitingly, the project is now recruiting two senior managers to begin the process of creating the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve.
The two vacancies are for a Development Manager (£40k per annum, fixed term 3 year position) and an Estate Manager (£35k, permanent position).
The closing date for applications for both positions is 19 February 2021.
Further details on the roles and responsibilities and the application process can be found on the Langholm Initiative website here
These are brilliant opportunities to be able to contribute to an important project that has attracted significant attention and support both locally and nationally. Alongside major donors, nearly 4000 ‘ordinary’ people were sufficiently inspired to make a donation to assist this buyout. A lot of us will be wishing the new recruits the very best of luck as the project gets underway.
Raptor Persecution UK 
Great news, good luck to everyone involved.
Hopefully this will again provide the physical proof that a change of land use leads to easier public access, more employment and massive environmental improvements.
Some good news for a change. Driven grouse shooting can be banned when you own the land!
The astute member of the aristocracy can see the “Writing on the Wall” ; the Crown Estate has sold holdings in Wales. Brexit will make upland farming more difficult; its best to sell now ; land prices may well fall in the uplands.
Looking forward to visiting in the future . . .
Great news. Hopefully this will become the model of the future as landowners look to sell, retire or get out of the killing business. It will be an excellent case study to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of re-wilding the land and prove the negative impact of Grouse Moors in these areas
Very good news. It will be interesting to learn about the background of the people appointed to both positions.
Perhaps a new more accurate phrase may become the norm. Gamekeeper turned Conservationist.
This is great news. What a project, so pleased for some positive news for a change. Best wishes
Very pleased to hear that this project has been successful. Hope the new appointees will do well for the land and inspire others to organise similar buy-outs. Will watch how things progress with great interest.
What a great job for someone with vision..lets give them our optimistic best wishes…
I chipped in a small few quid last year and wish this all the best. I am just wondering is the remainder of the area continuing as grouse moor i.e. Keepered? If so [Ed: rest of comment deleted as libellous]
The remainder of the area is only suitable for sheep and wild goats and no longer keepered. There is however a fair bit of pheasant and partridge shooting in the surrounding area.
The nearest managed grouse moor is either over the border in Cumbria or Leadhills.
Some good, and positive, news for the new year. Hopefully this is the start to the ending of all grouse moors and the slaughter of so many birds.
Good that the land will become a nature reserve and have public access and be managed for what it is intended: wildlife and the environment.
Best wished to all those who brought this about.
Wonderful news. I did make a small contribution to the fund because as well as being passionately interested in wildlife, I actually live near Langhorne. Another issue that needs support is the campaign to make sure that the Scottish government introduce robust Environmental Protection legislation. No more unwanted golf courses or wind farms (I am not against them) in unsuitable places.