Walk & Talk – River Health and Riparian Planting at Minuntion Estate

Minuntion is an upland farm and sporting estate in the Carrick Hills near the village of Barr. The estate activities include sheep farming, forestry, holiday accommodation, shooting, stalking and fishing, a forest school area and a number of on-going environmental projects such as wetland habitat creation, hedgerow creation, tree planting and river restoration work along the banks of the River Stinchar and its smaller tributaries. The focus is very much on wildlife and biodiversity balanced with being a traditional hill farm and sporting estate.

On this Walk and Talk we will be visiting sites on the estate to look at previously undertaken riparian planting and the impact that this has had on the river to date.

We will:

• consider the decision-making process prior to the project starting;
• consider the estate’s working relationship with the Ayrshire Rivers Trust;
• hear from Eleanor Kay, Senior Policy Adviser for Agriculture from Scottish Land and Estates on the overall policy background;
• hear from the owners, the Warrenders, on their specific vision for Minuntion;
• and take a look at a possible future site for a further riparian planting project.

We will then travel to the local community hall in Barr for a light lunch and presentations from the Ayrshire Rivers Trust, Scottish Forestry and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. General river health, small scale woodland planting, funding availability, wider community involvement, and formation of farm clusters/integrated land management will all be covered.

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic day and we hope you can join us!

10:30-10:45   Arrival
10:45-11:00   Introductions; Tea & coffee
11:00-12:30   River walk with discussions
                               Policy update from SLE – Eleanor Kay
                               Minuntion riparian planting project
                               Minuntion riparian planting possible future project
12:30-12:45   Travel to community hall
12:45-13:30   Lunch & networking
13:30-14:00   Ayrshire Rivers Trust
                             Struan Candlish, Fisheries Biologist 
14:00-14:15  Scottish Forestry
                              Doug Howieson, South of Scotland Conservator
14:15-14:30  Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere
                             Sara Press, Land Use and Biodiversity Lead Officer
14:30-14:45  Q&A
14:45             Thanks & close

Additional Information
Clothing: as we will be outdoors in unpredictable weather, a waterproof jacket and sensible footwear are advised.

Lunch: If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know in advance.

Meeting point: Minuntion Estate, Pinmore, Girvan KA26 0TE. What3words: ///aboard.bandstand.ozone

Lunch location: Barr Village Hall, Stinchar Rd, Barr, Girvan KA26 9TW. What3words: ///irrigated.glorious.copiers

Parking will be available on site at both locations.