Braes stands within one quarter of a mile from the Atlantic sea. It is located on the Island of Rousay in the Orkney Isles. It is a small croft-type holding situated just off the main road on the east side of the island directly behind the Island’s Primary school. It suffers from a highly exposed position being placed at the entrance to the Sourin valley, which is open east and west. The island school is a community school and, as such, is used by all the community for a variety of social activities. Trees in Orkney are the exception rather than the rule. There are only a few isolated woodlands throughout the county. In general, therefore, children growing up in Orkney do not have the opportunity to experience the pleasures and excitement a woodland habitat can give them. In 1991 I decided to contact The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group to discuss the possibility of establishing a small woodland at Braes. My objective was to integrate a conservation project as an Educational resource for the use of the school children or any other interested party. In so doing it was my intention not only to stimulate an active interest in trees, but also to foster a life-long awareness and understanding for the need for conservation measures.

The aims of the conservation project were two-fold. First, to increase the cover for birds and mammals by planting trees and shrubs. Second, to develop a pond in a manner creating a natural habitat suitable for the species that naturally inhabit such environments. In order to achieve these specific goals consultation was sought with both Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission. Together we discussed not only ideas about increasing the diversity of the natural habitats but also how we could enhance the visual appeal on such a landscape. They pointed out the pitfalls of planting trees on mass without any thought of the impact of the shape or form on the landscape. A plan was drawn up showing how this could be achieved using a number of Plots of different shapes and size with interconnecting paths and some open space. A pond was also integrated into the project area. In order to make the pond more interesting to look at it was suggested that two indents should be crated along the south bank in order to brake up the uniform line of the pond. In 1992 Rousay Youth Club became actively involved in the project. In order to establish a shelter belt along the north and west side of Plots A and B (before the planting of the main trees the following year) the club obtained willow cuttings from every available source on the Island. These were collected in large Hessian sacks and carried by members on their backs back to Braes. The cuttings were then planted straight into the planting site which had been prepared by laying strips of polythene sheeting. The black polythene not only suppresses the weeds but it also acts as a good heat insulator, warming the ground encouraging root growth.

For the club’s contribution to the project each member received a Colonel Sanders environmental award certificate of merit. The club was also awarded a Silver Shield award in a youth club national competition sponsored by Barclays Bank for youth work in the environment. On Tuesday 23rd of March 1993 each pupil of Rousay Primary School were given four trees: two each of two different species - Ash, Rowan, Sycamore and Whitebeam. The children planted one of each type in a tree shelter and the other without. They measured the height of all the trees and recorded their figures in a data base. The children have continued to regularly monitor and record the growth rate of their trees. Plot A (100 willows, 100 whitebeam and 200 sycamore) plot B (100 sycamore, 100 rowan, 100 ash and 100 hawthorn) plot C (200 willows and 200 alder) and plot F (200 willows, 200 alder, 200 sycamore and 200 whitebeam) were planted by volunteers from the community and members of Rousay Youth Club. Planting the trees involved making a T shape slit with a spade, prizing one of the centre corners up and placing the tree in-between. The tree was then heeled in place. Throughout the whole operation care was taken to guard against root damage. (Roots can dry out within a few minutes if they are exposed to the wind). Each bundle of trees, therefore, was kept in a plastic sack: each tree was only removed as it was planted. In order to suppress the growth of grass and weeds a mulch mat (made from plastic salmon feed bags) was placed around each tree. In 1992 the inner south facing-fence between the tree planting area and the pond was removed - incorporating the pond into the project. The rabbit netting was carefully removed from the fence and put on the now new south perimeter. A JCB digger was used to dig out and create two indents along the bank of the pond. Tea leaved native willows were then planted all the way around the cheeks of the original pond and the two new features. A wooden bridge was constructed and put over the west side of the pond inlet. The pond, and its inhabitants, have been the focus for a number of nature projects undertaken by the school children. Using the same technique as previously described, plot G (200 elder, 100 whitebeam and 100 hawthorn), plot D (100 willows, 100 beech, 100 wych elm, 50 hazel, 50 rowan, 200 downy birch and 100 ash) and plot E (100 bird cherry and 300 willows) were planted in 1994. This then brought the total number of bare rooted trees planted in an area of 1.20 ha to 3500.

Over the past five years only a small percentage (about 10%) of this total have died: 100 whitebeam, 100 sycamore and 100 alder. Given the success of this project it made Braes an attractive option for the “Orkney Islands Native tree restoration scheme”.

This scheme was initiated by Orkney Native Tree Group who, several years ago, became concerned about the long-term future of Orkney’s native trees. There are only a handful of sites where native trees are growing. The largest woodland that they can be found growing in Orkney is on Hoy at Berridale - the country’s most northerly natural woodland. Obviously these trees are vulnerable - a large fire on Hoy for instance could destroy a high proportion of the county’s stock. In 1997 in order to create new small areas of native woodland throughout the Isles the Group, in conjunction with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group received funding from the Millennium Forest for Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Orkney Enterprise and Orkney Islands Council to promote such a scheme.

The project manager approached me to see if I would be willing to extend the woodland at Braes and establish a supply of Orkney’s unique species of trees. So, in 1998 a Native woodland comprising of a total of 1610 trees in an area of 0.75 ha was embarked upon. This year, 1998, we have planted in the meadow adjacent to the established woodland [see plots H, I and J on PLAN OF WOODLAND AT BRAES], 330 alder, 350 downy birch, 220 rowan, 245 tea-leaved willows, 10 grey willows, 50 eared willows and 165 roses; all have either been propagated from seeds or cuttings taken from local native trees. Next year, 1999, a further 103 roses, 25 grey willows and 85 aspen will be planted. It is hoped that the same degree of success will be achieved as with the previous project. This will then bring the area of woodland at Braes to 1.95 ha with a total of 5110 trees, thus securing a supply of Orkney’s unique trees along with certain other species for the futures generation to enjoy. Ann Chapman, Braes, December 1998