Task Programme

You don't need any experience to come on any of our tasks, and we provide all the tools, training and safety equipment that you need. If you would like more information about whether a task is suitable for you then please contact us.

Please book with our Transport Secretary before the task. To find out how to book, what to bring and where to meet, look at the page about Sunday tasks.

There is also practical information about residential tasks.

Summary Task Programme

Here is a printer-friendly task programme (250kb)

Detailed Task Programme

Here is a map of all our work-sites.

21 Dec  Addiewell Bing: Christmas-tree felling

Addiewell Bing is a long, narrow reserve of 21ha just south of Bathgate in West Lothian, which is leased and managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. It is an excellent example of how a derelict industrial site - part of the oil shale industry - can be converted into an important wildlife refuge.

Most of the reserve is covered by woodland and scrub, but there are also patches of bracken, heather, open grassland and marshy ground with a rich variety of plants and birds. The area was extensively planted with native species including oak and ash, as well as conifers such as larch and lodgepole pine to help stabilise the steep sides of this old spoil heap.

In the past we have upgraded the footpath and cleared the invading broom from areas of heather. This time, under the guidance of Colin McLean of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, we will be continuing to thin areas of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta contorta) so that the area can be underplanted with native broadleaved trees at a later date. Volunteers on task may select the tops off the best thinnings to take home for Christmas trees. If you bribe the driver, you may also have it delivered to your door!

29 Dec - 3 Jan Pease Dean: tree felling

This coastal reserve immediately above Pease Bay was purchased by the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) in 1988, and it overlooks the North Sea near Cockburnspath, Berwickshire. Part of the 31 hectares has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and it is considered to be one of the most important ancient woodlands in the Borders. It consists of two steep-sided valleys - deans - clothed in mixed broadleaved woodland, including an area of ancient sessile oak. Several very rare mosses, liverworts and beetles are also found here. We will be working with members of the local SWT branch to hand-fell non-native trees. Removal of the non-native trees will leave space for re-planting with native species.

We will travel from Edinburgh on 29 December and return on 3 January, giving three days' work and one day off.

Accommodation will again be at Cloverknowe Cottages, which proved to be very popular last year. The costs of accommodation are heavily subsidised by the SWT Edinburgh Members Centre and the SWT Berwickshire Members Centre, so this luxury accommodation will probably cost you £40, and will be at most £70. The more people who go, the cheaper it will be! You will also need to contribute to the catering costs (~£20).

This is a great chance to spend Hogmanay in a beautiful part of the country in splendid accommodation. Book now with Debbie!

10 Jan SATURDAY Addiewell Bing: tree felling/planting

See 21 December for a description of this site. On this visit we will be working with the Scottish Wildlife Trust to continue to fell lodgepole pine trees in order to provide more room and light for future planting, we may also plant some native trees in previously cleared areas of the site.

11 Jan Aberlady Bay: Sea buckthorn clearance

Situated on the coast, Aberlady Bay is a Local Nature Reserve owned and managed by East Lothian Council. It is a large area - 580 hectares - made up of an open bay with sand and mudflats, as well as expanses of saltings, dunes and grassland. The area is best known for its birds, where over 200 species have been seen. There is also considerable botanical interest - you can see the full plant succession from mudflat to saltmarsh, to dune scrub and grassland. On this task, we will be clearing areas of invasive sea buckthorn. Sea buckthorn is quite prickly, so hard-wearing clothes are advisable.

18 Jan Vogrie: tree thinning/snedding

Vogrie is a popular country park four kilometres south-east of Dalkeith run by Midlothian Council. About half the area is covered by woodland and scrub, with smaller patches of grassland, three ponds, an alder coppice and a conifer plantation. Over the years we have cleared the ponds, cut meadow grass, repaired part of a drystane dyke, cleared scrub, coppiced alder and planted trees. On this visit we'll be thinning and snedding an area of trees near an old hut that may be developed into a bird watching area. We will be improving the woodland habitat for both wildlife and potential birdwatchers.

25 Jan N. Edinburgh Cycle Path: tree thinning/path maintenance

This cycle/walkway follows the old inner city railway network, and runs from Roseburn to Leith with branches off to other areas. The management of the verges of these routes is organised by a committee, which includes the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The aim is to enhance the wildlife value of the network by maintaining a variety of habitats - scrub, wildflower meadows, marsh and narrow areas of woodland. On this visit we will be thinning the woodland to help maintain the pathway. This will also increase biodiversity and create new habitats for wildlife.

31 Jan SATURDAY Addiewell Bing: tree felling/planting

This task is a continuation of the work from 10 January.

1 Feb Gore Glen: broom clearance from tree plantation

Gore Glen is a good example of land restoration. This former coal bing has been re-landscaped into an attractive area for both wildlife and visitors. Invasive broom is threatening to out-compete newly planted trees. We will be hand pulling broom where possible and burning on site.

7 Feb SATURDAY Bawsinch: elm clearance

Bawsinch and Duddingston loch are found on the southern edge of Holyrood Park, just below Arthur's Seat and only three kilometres from the city centre. This 26 hectare reserve, partly owned and managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, is a bird sanctuary and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The area boasts breeding and wintering wildfowl, marshland with reedbeds and willow, patches of scrub and woodland, some freshwater ponds and an area of grassland named Goose Green. Formerly a derelict industrial site, Bawsinch is a triangular area next to the south shore of the loch. In the past LCV has felled trees, cleared ponds, built log bridges and cleared back invasive vegetation. On this task, we will be clearing elms to keep the habitat/footpaths open.

8 Feb Longniddry: sea buckthorn clearance

Longniddry Bents is part of the Firth of Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest, and is known for its many sea and wading birds. Due to low nutrient levels and exposure to sea winds, which make it difficult for large, vigorous plants to become established, there are a large number of wildflowers, including cowslip during spring and bloody cranesbill in summer. Forming part of the John Muir Way, which runs from Dunbar to Musselburgh, Longniddry Bents is a popular spot for many users, from walkers and birdwatchers to horse riders. On this visit we will be clearing sea buckthorn which is encroaching on a public right of way. This path is part of the John Muir Way.

15 Feb Penicuik to Dalkeith Walkway: boardwalk construction/pathwork

The Penicuik to Dalkeith Walkway is part of the former Edinburgh to Peebles railway line, a 9.5 mile linear route that passes through many of Midlothian's historic towns and villages. The route is an important resource for walkers, cyclists and horse riders and is also a haven for wildlife. Otter and kingfisher can be found on the River North Esk, which meanders along its route. The tree-lined railway embankments support a rich variety of tree species and related wildlife. On this visit we will be improving access along this section of the Walkway. This will involve path drainage and surfacing as well as the construction of a small boardwalk within the Valleyfield/Eskmills Nature Trail.

22 Feb Leadburn Community Woodland: tree thinning/planting

Leadburn Community Woodland was recently purchased from the Forestry Commission by a small group of individuals known as the Friends of Leadburn Community Woodland. The group intend to replace the previous plantation of conifers with native trees such as silver birch, ash, oak and rowan, among others, and planting at the site has recently begun. On our first visit last summer, we helped to clear brash and scrub to create space for planting. On this visit we will be helping to thin and plant trees. The area is boggy in places, so wellies are recommended if you have them.

1 March Spottiswoode: tree planting

Dr David Long from the Royal Botanic Gardens has purchased land near Lauder that contains a spruce plantation. His aim is to gradually remove the spruce and replace it with natural broadleaf woodland, to increase biodiversity. LCV has visited Spottiswoode a number of times in the last couple of years, clearing and burning spruce and planting trees. On this task, we will be continuing the tree planting work, planting native species on the land cleared of spruce and brash, and protecting the trees with guards and stakes.

8 March Donald Rose Wood: tree tubing

Donald Rose Wood is in Fife near the village of Star, close to Markinch. It was formerly a sitka spruce plantation, which was acquired by a group of six people in 2001, including our own Tim Duffy. The site is around a picturesque reservoir, with stunning views of the Ochil hills and Edinburgh. Part of the reservoir has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. On previous tasks, LCV have burned the spruce brash from the former plantation to make way for planting with native broadleaf trees; planted many trees and carried out the post planting management called 'beating up'. This means checking trees in the newly planted areas are healthy, weeding, re-staking and restocking dead - or eaten by roe deer - trees as necessary. On this task we shall be tubing and staking trees that need to 'get away' from the effects of the beautiful roe deer. Sixty of the tubes are recycled from a farmer friend of Pauline's so this will be an exercise in trying to lower the impact of the overall tree planting process. There will also be chicken wire cages to put on especially sensitive and apparently tasty species.

14 March SATURDAY Bawsinch: vegetation maintenance

See 7 February for a description of this site. On this visit we will be cutting back vegetation which is encroaching on the path and removing invasive plants.

15 March Straiton Pond LNR: tree thinning/habitat maintenance

Straiton Pond was a clay pit until the 1950s and was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1991. This popular site, adjacent to the City Bypass, is a haven for wildlife and demonstrates a remarkable amount of biodiversity. The vegetation is home to many bird species and the pond supports populations of little grebes and mute swans. In the summer this reclaimed industrial site is ideal for wildflowers such as St John's wort and northern marsh orchid. On this visit we will carry out woodland management, thinning Willow within the reserve and improving the newt pond by thinning trees around the pond edges and clearing the island areas.

20  -  22 March Taynish Residential: beech clearance

The ancient deciduous woodland at Taynish is one of the largest in Britain. Oak trees have flourished here for 6,000 years or more - a little longer than people have lived here. Once a source of timber and charcoal, these woods now form one of Britain's largest remaining native oakwoods. The importance of the site was recognised in 1977 by designation as a National Nature Reserve and it is now managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Taynish lies on a scenic peninsula overlooking Loch Sween, which was scoured out by glaciers 11,000 years ago, and has an atmosphere all of its own.

The peninsula has a wide range of habitats, including shoreline, grassland, scrub, bog, heath and woodland, each home to a host of plants, insects, birds and mammals that thrive in the clean, humid air. In all, between the woodland's dripping ferns and mosses and the marsh and grassland, over 300 plant species and more than 20 kinds of butterfly are supported. To help the woods keep their near-natural character and rich wildlife, SNH is encouraging the spread of native trees by controlling deer, which browse on young trees. SNH is also removing rhododendron, which crowds out other plants.

On this visit to the site we will be removing invasive beech. Accommodation is in the luxurious Kilmartin 'bothy' with cosy beds, en-suite showers and a useful 'drying room' for your gear in the unlikely event of rain. Duvets and pillows are provided, but please bring (single) bed linen with you. Book your place with Debbie by 18 March at the latest.

29 March Leadburn Community Woodland: tree planting

This is a continuation of the work from 22 February.

(c) Lothians Conservation Volunteers 2008

Lothians Conservation Volunteers is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC020384

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