Richard Hamilton Memorial Site - Ledmore & Migdale Wood

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Ledmore & Migdale Wood
Dornoch Firth, Scotland

A permanent memorial to Richard will be created in the Woodland Trust Scotland's Ledmore & Migdale Wood, a spectacular 700 hectare woodland an hour's drive north of Inverness (photos). Here a specific area, high up and with spectacular views over Loch Migdale, Migdale Crag and the Dornoch Firth, has been dedicated in Richard's memory.

A secluded stone seat is to be hewn from one of the rocks in this area. The seat has been designed by Richard's close friend, artist, and architect, Mark Power, to maximise the natural features within the rock (photos). It will be carved by local stoneworker and sculptor Nigel Mullen. From this seat there are beautiful views soutwards out over the Doroch Firth.

The Richard Hamilton Fund has been set up in partnership with the Woodland Turst Scotland in celebration of his life. The aim of the fund is to raise money for a series of projects being planned for Ledmore and Migdale Wood. We hope this is something you would like to support.

Donate Online

Links: Project Description, Fund Goals & How to Donate, Photos, Donate Here

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The Richard Hamilton Fund

The Woodland Trust Scotland is planning a long term programme of works which will enhance the biodiversity and improve access to Ledmore and Migdale Wood. The spectacular 700 hectare woodland is the largest continuously wooded property owned by the Trust and forms a large and complex site of national interest for nature conservation. The area includes three sites of Special interest (SSIs); Ledmore oakwood, Migdale pinewood and Spinningdale woodland bog. An archaeological survey of the site has identifies 27 remnants including Bronze age chambered cairns and 18th century farming settlements.

Projects for which the Richard Hamilton Fund is Raising Money

1. Enhancing Woodland Biodiversity

This project will enable the Woodland Trust Scotland to create a new area of woodland on an area of open ground. Formerly a larch plantation, this 3.5 hectare area will be transformed into a hazel woodland with some willow, species which are currently under-represented at Ledmore and Migdale.

As part of this project, there are plans to thin a 24 hectare area of mixed conifer plantation, located behind the tree planting area, to enable the natural regeneration of native broadleaves and Scot's pine and juniper. By selectively thinning the conifers under a Continuous Cover Forestry regime, more light will reach the woodland floor which will encourage woodland species such as Blaeberry, an important food plant for Capercaillie which can be found at Ledmore and Migdale (pictured left). This will encourage the conversion of the conifer plantation area into a woodland dominated by native species.

2. Enhancing Biodiversity of Other Habitats

Spinningdale Bog is one of the three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) at Ledmore and Migdale Wood. Prior to the Trust purchasing the wood, streams flowing into the bog were re-directed away from it, and drainage ditches were built which has caused the wetland areas surrounding the bog to dry out.

The dryer conditions are encouraging the natural regeneration of trees on the bog which are threatening the wetland habitat. As part of this project, re-instatement of the flow regimes to the bog is planned, achieved by filling in the drainage ditches to regain the wet conditions and improve biodiversity.

The Trust also wants to test a new method of controlling bracken at Ledmore and Migdale Wood in 8 small enclosures which occur between sections of Ledmore Oakwood. The bracken is an invasive species which could endanger the rare habitat which the oakwood provides for a rich variety of flora and fauna. Rather than using chemicals to control the bracken, they plan to use a new method of ‘whipping' the bracken, a technique which is achievable on a small scale and could prove effective in these small 0.5 hectare enclosures.

3. Improving Access

This project will provide a new access route from the Fairy Glen car park to the main entrance to the wood. Located close to the village of Spinningdale , the main entrance to the wood is known locally as ‘Fairy Glen', and was popular with the Victorians whose enthusiasm for waterfalls and hidden gorges can be seen in the remains of the Lady's walk up the burnsides. The plan is to create a new 150 metre access route, the exact route and specification of which will be subject to survey and consents needed to authorise it.

Link: Photos of Ledmore & Migdale , ^ Top

Fundraising Targets & How To Donate ...

Fundraising Targets

The total cost for the Woodland Trust Scotland to implement all of the elements of the project outlined above at Ledmore and Migdale Wood is £25,000. The following table provides an indication of the costs of the various activities involved in the project.

AMOUNT RAISED	PROJECT MILESTONES
£5,000	3.5 hectares of new woodland created
£10,000	3.5 hectares of new woodland created Wetland re-instated at Spinningdale Bog 4 hectares of bracken managed
£15,000	3.5 hectares of new woodland created Wetland re-instated at Spinningdale Bog 4 hectares of bracken managed 24 hectares of woodland thinned
£25,000	3.5 hectares of new woodland created Wetland re-instated at Spinningdale Bog 4 hectares of bracken managed 24 hectares of woodland thinned 150 metre new path created

How To Donate

If you would like to donate to the fund, there are three straightforward methods:

Either:

- Make a donation through the Richard Hamilton Fundraising webpage at: http://www.justgiving.com/rhfund

Or:

- By sending a cheque made payable to the Woodland Trust Scotland or postal order with a cover note to say the donation is to be put towards the Richard Hamilton Fund. The address to send your cheque to is:

Woodland Trust Scotland , Glenruthven Mill, Abbey Road , Auchterarder PH3 1DP

Or:

- By phoning the freephone number 0800 026 9650 and speaking to Heidi Dewick or Jean Martin. You will need to say that the donation is for the Richard Hamilton Fund so it is credited to the correct account.

The amount of each individual donation will remain confidential. Everyone who donates to the fund will receive a letter of thanks to acknowledge receipt of your donation. Enclosed will be a card with an OS Map and details of the area which has been dedicated in Richard's memory and where to find his rock bench.

Gift Aid: The JustGiving website makes the inclusion of Gift Aid in a donantion straightforward. For UK tax payers intending to donate by post, please enclose a Gift Aid Declaration form (click here to download a copy).

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The Richard Hamilton Fund, 2007