BUCCLEUCH have today (April 3) completed the sale of 11,390 acres of Langholm Moor, known as Blackburn and Hartsgarth, to Oxygen Conservation.

On completing the sale, Benny Higgins, executive chairman of Buccleuch said: “Since opening discussions with Oxygen Conservation in 2022, Buccleuch has been delighted to work with a team whose aims and ambitions fit so well with existing work across the moor. We look forward to watching the positive environmental and social impact Oxygen Conservation will have on the area and within the local community as their work progresses.”

The decision to sell the Langholm Moor in 2019, began a period of extensive community consultation, in line with the Scottish Land Commission’s good practice protocol. During this period, two local groups, the Langholm Initiative (TLI) and Newcastleton and District Community Trust (NDCT) came forward noting an interest in separate areas of the Moor.

Sales of 760 acres to NDCT and 5200 acres to TLI were completed in the course of 2020 and 2021 respectively, with TLI completing a purchase of an additional 5246 acres in 2022.

With the sales to the communities complete, Buccleuch were delighted when Oxygen Conservation expressed an interest in the remaining area of the moor, especially so as their commitment to the environment and the community are so closely aligned to Buccleuch’s values.

READ MORE: Buccleuch agree sale of remaining holdings on Langholm Moor

Benny Higgins, executive chairman of Buccleuch, said: “The fit between Buccleuch and Oxygen Conservation could not be better; their work on the Moor will build upon and enhance the environmental work undertaken over the years by Buccleuch and their aims and objectives complement the work being undertaken on the neighbouring Tarras Valley Nature Reserve.

“Buccleuch have long held the belief that the discussion around land ownership in Scotland should move from a debate about how much is owned by whom to an understanding of the beneficial impact that land management, delivered at scale, can have on both the environment and local communities.

"To see this mirrored in the aims and objectives of diverse newer landowners, such as Oxygen Conservation and the Langholm Initiative, will help to open up this discussion,” he said.