Last updated 21:49, Wednesday, 09 April 2008

LANGHOLM is very much to the fore in the current issue (April/May) of DGB Life, the magazine for Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders.

There is an interesting article on finding a solution to the long-running dispute over managing the moors so as to maintain a balance between predators and their prey, birds like skylark, peewit and curlew, as well as commercially-produced gamebirds.

In the case of the Langholm moor the main predator is claimed to be the rare and endangered hen harrier and the prey, the lucrative grouse.

The article claims the path to peace between landowners and conservationists may well lie with a pioneering moorland experiment set among 10,000 acres of stunning borders moorland, at Langholm, owned by Buccleuch Estates.

SNH, the RSPB, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Gamekeepers’ Association, The Buccleuch Group and Natural England are sharing their expertise and resources to find out whether a grouse moor can be commercially viable while protecting hen harriers and other raptors.

Grouse shooting came to an end on our moorland in 1998 after grouse numbers fell. The new 10-year study hopes to find the answer to the problem of allowing the grouse to be shot, while making sure the hen harriers and other wildlife flourish.

Professor Colin Galbraith of SNH says: “We will manage Langholm for grouse, for hen harriers and for the heather habitat. We will try to feed the hen harriers so they don’t take grouse chicks all the time. This is an internationally important project.”

Well, let’s hope that not only do grouse numbers increase but also hen harrier numbers. Last year, out of four breeding pairs, only one set of chicks survived, the other three having failed. The grouse shooting may well add to the economy but visitors come here from far afield to see the rare hen harrier.

These birds are protected by law but still incidents are frequently reported around the UK of protected birds being deliberately killed. It’s good news that more of the perpetrators, often gamekeepers, have been successfully prosecuted. It’s the old battle of commercialism v conservation.

Langholm features again in this issue of DGB Life with writer Allan Devlin extolling the Muckle Toon which “nestles proudly between the hills, the gateway to the Scottish Borders. But its friendly, untouched quietness has also made it a gateway for walkers going into these hills”.

He recommends a 12½ mile hike up the Castle Hill and onto Potholm Hill, down the Wrae Hass with a right turn to take you past the Henwell and up onto Crumpton Hill via the Bauchle Hill, down to Burnfoot, over the bridge, across the main road and a climb up onto Craig Hill, along to Timpen, returning to the town by the Meikleholm.

This is a fair old hike. I have done it but split it into two walks.

He describes the views en route and, being a freelance photographer, has taken some stunning photos of the town and the hills, produced in the magazine.

He also mentions some of Eskdale’s famous sons, Thomas Telford, the Malcolms and Hugh MacDiarmid.