A Community Woodland that is restored to productive use for the benefit of the environment and community
– locally managed –
Skolie Burn Addiewell West Lothian is a SSSI protected field situated between Loganlea and Addiewell settlements about five miles west of Livingston. It is protected for its floral diversity and geological interests and comprises of a field just over 20acres (8.3Ha) .
The site had not been maintained for several years and was degrading as a result. With fly tipping and accidental accumulation of rubbish, Skolie Burn looked more like a land fill site, rather than its flower rich designation would suggest.
Our commitments and actions for Skolie Burn Community Meadow and Woodland
Our vision
Is a meadow full of wildlife and clear of any rubbish.
Our mission
Is to restore Skolie Burn to its pristine state so that the wildflowers can thrive once again.
Our values
?
The last five years
Since the charity was formed
5
Tonnes of rubbish removed
300+
Trees and shrubs planted
30
Meters of footpath installed. To be extended by 400m 2024
£1000s
raised for the restoration project. Every penny goes to meadow restoration
Donate
More About Skolie Burn
Compartments
Skolie Burn Meadow has been divided up into five compartments for management purposes. Each of the compartments has a different habitat and topography. Compartments 1 to 3 have a SSSI designation and contain the majority of the wildflowers. Compartments 4 and 5 have no designation and are currently classified as species poor.
SSSI Designated
Compartment 1
Contains holds the cattle enclosure which is used for autumn and winter grazing. The cattle are put out in the compartment from September to February to mow down the grass and breakup the thatching to allow flowers to germinate in the spring. Skolie Burn runs through the middle of the compartment with a flat basin to the North which floods over after heavy rain. The ground raises up beyond this to form a valley.
Compartment 2
Is mostly bracken dominated with developing scrub. The compartment holds wildflowers that prefer this type of habitat though overall the result of the dense bracken has degraded much of the floral diversity. Currently this compartment is managed by cutting and lifting the bracken every year by hand. It is planned to have this compartment fenced in the near future so that the cattle can be rotated with Compartment 1
Compartment 3
Holds the majority of the Greater Butterfly Orchid and other Orchids. It is mostly scrub dominated and there are quite a few birds in this area. The Apple Orchard is here right beside the miners club.
Unprotected
Compartment 4
This compartment is being managed as a small community soft fruit orchard. Whilst it is species poor it has been seeded with yellow rattle which is parasitic on grass and it is hoped that a variety of wildflowers will develop in the coming years. The compartment is managed by cutting and lifting the hay annually.
Compartment 5
Currently not managed by the charity.
