Community Benefits Feasibility Study
A community buyout of the estate could provide a range of benefits. These will be considered in consultation with the local community and other relevant organisations in the feasibility study. Initial ideas include some or all of the following :-
Community ownership
Should a buyout be successful the estate would be owned and run by the local community as a non-profit charity or community-based organisation open to everyone in the Gatehouse of Fleet area. Everyone in the area would then have a say on how the estate is developed and managed.
All profits would be ploughed back into developing and maintaining the estate and to the benefit of the local community.
Preservation and enhancement of the landscape and biodiversity
Situated in the Fleet Valley National Scenic Area, it is the landscape, scenery and amazing wildlife that makes the estate and the surrounding areas so special. The estate boasts a wide range of landscapes from hills and moorland with views to the Solway coast in the south and Cairnsmore of Fleet in the north, to rich meadows in the valley, from native broadleaf woodlands to the Big and Wee Waters of Fleet rivers.
Loss of these through inappropriate forestry or renewable energy projects would be a huge loss to the National Scenic Area and the Gatehouse of Fleet community. Preservation and enhancement of the landscapes and biodiversity of the estate are seen as key benefits for the proposed buyout.
Nature Reserve
The estate surrounds Carstramon Wood - a Scottish Wildlife Trust nature reserve famous for its oak woodland and bluebells, popular with locals and visitors alike.
A buyout of the estate would provide a fantastic opportunity to use some of the land to develop a much larger nature reserve in conjunction with the Scottish Wildlife Trust. This could include areas of new native tree planting to create new amenity woodlands and expand the existing wood, areas of hill moorland, areas of wildflower rich meadows and riverside to create a large nature reserve with a wide and diverse mix of habitats.
Pubic Access Trails
The estate already has a small number of tracks and trails accessible to the public including the Castramon Cleugh and Lagg core paths but much more could be done.
A buyout would provide the opportunity to develop a network of tracks and trails for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Trails along the river banks, trails through the woodlands, trails in the hills and trails linking up with those in Carstramon Wood could all be developed for the enjoyment of the local community and visitors.
Farming
The estate comprises three farms - Murrayton, Culreoch and Lagg, and used to employ three farmers. However the estate no longer actively farms the land or employ any farmers, but simply rents out the land as grass lets to farmers from outside the local community.
A buyout could provide the opportunity to bring farming back to the estate. There are many ways this could be achieved which could be considered. For example, the estate could be managed as a whole, employing farmers directly, or each farm could be let separately or a number of small holdings created to provide opportunities for new, young farming families get a start in the business. Farmers with a passion for regenerative farming or farming in harmony with nature could be encouraged.
Rural / Cottage Businesses
Opportunities could be provided for small scale rural / cottage businesses or organisations to use the land or buildings on the Cally estate.
Examples might include forest or bushcraft schools, wildlife photography hides, guided events, wild food foraging, bee keeping, workshops or storage space, artists studios or even a Cally Estate micro gin distillery!
Renovation of Farm Buildings & Housing
The estate includes three farm houses and a cottage along with three traditional stone steadings. Unfortunately these are all in a poor state of repair and the farm houses at Culreoch and Lagg have stood empty and unused for many years. The farm house and cottage at Murrayton are currently occupied but in need of modernisation.
A buyout could provide the opportunity to renovate these farm houses to bring them back into use to provide badly need housing for farmers or local residents.
The steadings could also be renovated and put to use for the farms, rural cottage industries or converted to additional housing.
The remains of an old cottage sits at the very northern end of the land which could possibly be converted into a bothy for walkers.
Small Scale Renewable Energy
Opportunities for small scale renewable energy could be explored, including micro hydro power from the various burns tumbling down the hillsides and solar power fitted to the building roofs.