Nether Stewarton Forest, Peebles, Scottish Borders

Location
Nether Stewarton Forest occupies an attractive and accessible position approximately 5 km north-west of Peebles in the Scottish Borders, an area renowned for its productive forestry and well-established timber industry.
The forest benefits from good transport links to major timber processors, a favourable climate for tree growth and productive underlying soils. Combined with predominantly straightforward terrain, these factors provide favourable conditions for efficient forest management, harvesting and timber extraction.

Historically strong regional demand for timber, together with the established forestry infrastructure and proven growing conditions of the Scottish Borders, underpin the property’s desirable location.

Nether Stewarton Forest is shown on the location and sale plans within these particulars. The nearest postcode is EH45 8SL and What3Words: contracts.heartened.innocence

Access
Vehicular access is taken directly from the Old Manse Road (C1) in the south-east corner of the property, where a bellmouth and small car park serve the entrance, at point A1 on the sale plan. From here a single forest road runs some 1,200 m through the forest to a turning circle, providing access to the majority of the standing crop. The road, ditches and verges have been maintained to a good standard. A further track runs parallel to the eastern boundary.

The Old Manse Road, between Eddleston and Lyne, is an Agreed Route for timber haulage under the Timber Transport Forum. Timber can be hauled north or south, and the route has recently been used to extract timber from this and neighbouring properties.

Description
Nether Stewarton is a well-structured commercial forest extending to 112.74 hectares (278.59 acres) on gently sloping ground to the north of the Meldon hills. The bulk of the forest was originally planted in 1983 and 1984 with Sitka spruce and a small element of Japanese larch, on free-draining brown earth and podzolic soils which have delivered consistent growth and
good stability.

Restructuring began in 2015 and has been carried out steadily since. Some 60 hectares have been felled and replanted across seven separate years, using vegetatively propagated Sitka spruce in every coupe from 2015 to 2024, alongside Norway spruce, Douglas fir, Scots pine, noble fir and native broadleaves. These second rotation crops are modelled at yield class 20 to 24 and are establishing well. 29.47 hectares of the original crop remain standing at 42 years of age, carrying a substantial volume of timber, with felling approval in place (together with 19.42 hectares of thinning) from 2026 to 2035. Harvesting can begin immediately, offering a purchaser early, readily quantifiable income.
The forest is 76.1% productive conifer (85.78 ha), with 6.27 hectares of native broadleaves and 20.69 hectares of open ground providing watercourse buffers, rides and sightlines for deer management. The resulting age structure is well balanced allowing regular income in the years to come.

Sporting Rights
Sporting rights are included in the sale. A deer management agreement (1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027) is in place with a professional stalker. This agreement can either be terminated at completion or continued by the incoming owner. Roe deer are present and red squirrels are recorded within the forest.

Boundaries
The property is largely bounded by stock fencing, maintained on a 50:50 basis with neighbouring owners where there is stock pressure. Boundaries which fall against other woodland are not currently maintained. Agricultural land lies to the north and east, and commercial woodland to the south and west.

Mineral Rights
Mineral rights are included so far as the seller has right thereto.

Wayleaves & Third-Party Rights
Sold with the benefit of, and subject to, all existing rights and burdens contained in the Titles. High voltage overhead lines operated by Scottish Power cross the forest, and a Scottish Water main runs through the property close to the eastern boundary. A BT overhead line also crosses part of the property. There is a promoted footpath running through the property and a right of way running adjacent to the property.

Designations
Green Knowe cairn (Scheduled Monument SM3158) lies in the south-east of the forest and is managed within an open ground buffer. No ancient woodland or PAWS designation applies. Interested parties should rely on their own enquiries.

Forest Grants & Management
The forest is managed by Tilhill Forestry. A new Long Term Forest Plan covering 2026 to 2046 was approved in April 2026 (Scottish Forestry reference 25FGS84899), providing an approved framework of felling and restocking for the next twenty years.