Our Farm - Cliftonhill
Cliftonhill is an Organic Farm, growing oats for Hogarth's Mill in Kelso and grass for sheep.and a few sun flowers and linseed for colour and feeding birds with an aim to keeping the bird population high. We also grow a small area of vegetables including asparagus which is peeping through already due to record breaking sun shine, lettuce, herbs and potatoes for our holiday makers. We have young hens and are laying well and eggs are available. Lamb also for sale. Spinach is now ready and a few herbs. Tomatoes and strawberries later on.
There is a beetle bank running up the field between Plum Braes Barn and Edmonston House, offering a safe haven for colonies of beetles to become established. Hedges, wildflower seed and bird cover have been planted on set aside to encourage the populations of partridge, pheasant, barn and tawny owls, foxes, deer and songbirds.
The river has been fenced off in order to allow regeneration of natural vegetation which has made a perfect habitat for small mammals. The water has already improved - the fish are monitored by the Tweed Foundation and there has been a significant increase in Salmon par, due to the protection offered by the leafy banks from marauding heron and kingfishers.
Cliftonhill is a great place in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Walks a re breathtaking straight from your door. Please see the farm walk.
The river Eden is a small tributary of the Tweed which meanders through Cliftonhill. Perfect for picnics and paddling, there is nothing to disturb you but perhaps a grey heron or a kingfisher darting up the river in a blaze of colour. Trout and grayling can be caught, and there are plenty minnows.
Roe deer and foxes can often be seen moving between Heron wood and Jocks wood. Greenland is a clump of willows, ideal for bird watching. The R.S.P.B. counted more than 40 types of bird on Cliftonhill, including several that are on their endangered list. Help us monitor our biodiversity by listing the wildlife you encounter, with date and approximate location, in the nature log - there is one in each cottage.
To view a map of the river walk please click here
