The long-awaited trimming of a world record-breaking Perthshire hedge could help raise money for children’s charities.
The Meikleour Beech Hedge is set for its first full cut in nearly 20 years and its owners are hoping the salvaged wood from the iconic landmark can be transformed into objects by woodwork artists and auctioned off for charity.
Claire Mercer Nairne, owner of the gigantic hedge, explained the plans are still in the early stages but that she wanted to use the work to continue raising funds for Blairgowrie charity, Angling for Youth, and Countryside Learning Scotland – both of which are supported by the Meikleour Estate.
Claire said: “The Beech Hedge is iconic and means a lot for the members of our community and we are delighted to be able to start work.
“The cutting of the hedge will coincide with the 200-year anniversary celebration 1820-2020 of our Inn in the village the Meikleour Arms and if we could link all of that one way or another, with our existing fundraising activities in support of local youth development charities, that would be fantastic.
“Both are Scottish charities with similar goals, which is to bring young children into the countryside.”
The owners hope the estate’s forest team’s work will begin on November 18, using an 85-foot hydraulic platform.
The estate will then work with the community and woodwork artists to find the best use for the cut-offs.
Claire said: “We can make spoons or bowls or cheeseboards and sell them and make money for the charities.
“If we were to use pieces of the wood, we would need for them to season so it would be into 2020, which will tie in with 200 years of the inn.
“We’ve worked with woodwork artists in the past who make sculptures so we’ll consult with them and see if there’s something we can do.
“At the moment it’s brainstorming because we’ll have a better idea when we know what the cuttings of the hedge look like and the artists can see what can be done.”
The Courier revealed last week the famous hedge was due to have its first cut since 2000.
