Oxygen Conservation has agreed a sale with Buccleuch to buy the remainder of Langholm Moor.

The two parties have today (Thursday, February 2) completed paperwork for the sale of the remaining 11,390ac, which will take place in March.

Buccleuch said it is “delighted” to sell the remainder of the moor to Oxygen Conservation as its commitment to the environment and community is closely aligned to the company’s own values.

Benny Higgins, executive chairperson 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.

Benny Higgins

“Buccleuch has 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,” he added.

“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.”

The Langholm Initiative bought 5,200ac of the moor in 2021, and an additional 5,246ac in 2022. The other 760ac of the Langholm Moor were purchased by Newcastleton and District Community Trust in 2020.