Conservation and Biodiversity

Conservation and habitat creation are central to the vision of Roxburghe Estates. The estate manages 87 hectares of wild bird seed conservation margins and other wildlife habitats such as beetlebanks. An extensive network of hedgerows and grass margins further enhances habitat connectivity across the estate, offering shelter, nesting sites and valuable insect-rich feeding areas.

Between 2024 and 2026 alone, activities have included:

• Establishment of 73 hectares of species rich grassland margins in arable fields.
• Creation of eight wader scrapes to provide valuable wetland habitat for wildfowl and wader species.
• Creation of 6km of hedgerows.
• Management of 15.9 km of existing hedgerows.
• Creation of 3.54 hectares of forage brassica crops to provide vital winter cover and supports seed-eating farmland birds.
• Annual sowing of more than 40 hectare of mixed green manure crops which are left until the next spring, these crops improve soil structure and benefit a range of insect species.
• 2.77 hectares of unharvested conservation headlands.
• Creation of a 300m beetlebank to provide valuable habitat for wildlife, improve soil health, and support a more resilient farmed landscape.
• Establishment of 0.99 hectares of wildflower meadows within the Floors Castle Policies. Created in collaboration with BugLife, as part of their initiative; Pollinators Along the Tweed.

Roxburghe Estates have recently completed works on our Score Head Peatland Restoration Project in the Cheviot Hills. The Score Head Restoration Project covers an area of roughly 72 hectares.

We have identified healthy peatlands as one of our most vital allies in the fight against climate change, locking up carbon whilst providing many other important benefits like biodiversity and water quality. Over its lifetime, it is estimated that the Score Head Peatland Restoration Project will lead to the reduction of around 12,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions being released into the atmosphere.

Preparations are now underway for a further peatland restoration project covering 162 hectares at Heatherhope in the Cheviot Hills for implementation during February 2027.