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Devil's Beef Tub buyout proceeds Devil's Beef Tub buyout proceeds
(about 4 hours later)
A forest trust in the south of Scotland has raised £700,000 to buy a stretch of land once used to hide stolen cattle.A forest trust in the south of Scotland has raised £700,000 to buy a stretch of land once used to hide stolen cattle.
The deal allows 1,580 acres of land at the Devil's Beef Tub, near Moffat, to be dedicated to woodland, low intensity farming and conservation projects.The deal allows 1,580 acres of land at the Devil's Beef Tub, near Moffat, to be dedicated to woodland, low intensity farming and conservation projects.
The Borders Forest Trust (BFT) has been fundraising for about 18 months in order to secure the site.The Borders Forest Trust (BFT) has been fundraising for about 18 months in order to secure the site.
Director Willie McGhee said the trust was looking forward to the "exciting challenge" of managing the land.Director Willie McGhee said the trust was looking forward to the "exciting challenge" of managing the land.
The trust secured a legal option to buy the land at Corehead Farm in December 2007.The trust secured a legal option to buy the land at Corehead Farm in December 2007.
It now hopes to secure entry to the site on 9 July.It now hopes to secure entry to the site on 9 July.
The group intends to create a "mosaic of habitats" across the hills it has purchased.The group intends to create a "mosaic of habitats" across the hills it has purchased.
English attacked
Mr McGhee said: "Our vision of restoring the Ettrick Forest across the Southern Uplands is now a step closer and our grateful thanks go to everyone who has contributed to the appeal.Mr McGhee said: "Our vision of restoring the Ettrick Forest across the Southern Uplands is now a step closer and our grateful thanks go to everyone who has contributed to the appeal.
"BFT looks forward to the exciting challenge of managing this very special part of Scotland.""BFT looks forward to the exciting challenge of managing this very special part of Scotland."
The trust hopes to return traditional farming to the site with a reduction in sheep levels.The trust hopes to return traditional farming to the site with a reduction in sheep levels.
English attacked
It also aims to restore a wide range of habitats and plant community orchards.It also aims to restore a wide range of habitats and plant community orchards.
It is hoped this will encourage the return of plants, birds and animals such as golden eagle, black grouse, otter, mountain hare, emperor moth, juniper, aspen and globeflower to the area.It is hoped this will encourage the return of plants, birds and animals such as golden eagle, black grouse, otter, mountain hare, emperor moth, juniper, aspen and globeflower to the area.
The area itself is a historically important one.The area itself is a historically important one.
The Border Reivers used to hide stolen cattle in the deep valley of Devil's Beef Tub.The Border Reivers used to hide stolen cattle in the deep valley of Devil's Beef Tub.
William Wallace is also associated with the site.William Wallace is also associated with the site.
His sister married the Laird of Corehead Tower and Wallace gathered men from the Ettrick Forest and the Border clans at Corehead to lead his first attack against the English in 1297.His sister married the Laird of Corehead Tower and Wallace gathered men from the Ettrick Forest and the Border clans at Corehead to lead his first attack against the English in 1297.