We are very excited to announce that two projects led by us have been announced as finalists in this year’s prestigious Scottish Land and Estates Helping it Happen Awards. Both are nominated in the ‘Enhancing our Environment through Land Management’ category. The first is our Tweed Invasives Project, which has been tackling invasive plant species across the catchment for over 25 years. Invasive plant species can cause riverbank erosion and increased flood-risk and threaten the area’s native biodiversity including destroying spawning and nursery habitat for salmonid fish species. Giant hogweed’s toxic sap can also cause harm to humans.
Our Neidpath Farms Agroforestry Project involved work in collaboration with this fantastic Peeblesshire farm business to plant a mix of over 1,800 native trees. Benefits include improved soil health and water quality, shade and shelter for livestock, reduced flood risk and enhanced biodiversity. Orchard trees will also provide high-quality organic fruit for local markets. The project is part of the Destination Tweed Woodlands for Wildlife and Water project and is being delivered on a scale believed to be unmatched anywhere else in Scotland.
It’s great to have this important recognition of the work of our staff, partners and of farm businesses and communities across the Tweed catchment. We hope it will also highlight the positive impact that collaborative environmental action can have for nature, communities and the rural environment.
Artificial gravel ponds at Hedgeley (right) will be reconnected to the river as part of the restoration works
Work has begun on restoring sections of the River Breamish and Pow Burn at Hedgeley, near Alnwick in Northumberland to benefit both the environment and the local community. Working with the Environment Agency and Natural England, we’ll be introducing a series of nature-based measures to restore the natural processes of the river, allowing it to function once again as a healthy, dynamic system with space to move and interact with its floodplain.
The restored landscape is expected to develop into a more dynamic mosaic of wetlands, channels and habitat, boosting biodiversity and making the landscape more resilient to the increased number of flood events and periods of drought that we’re already beginning to see as the climate changes.
The project also delivers wider community benefits through improved public access, a new public bridleway, plus education and interpretation resources that will help connect people with the river environment. The work is expected to take 4-6 weeks to deliver. You can read more about it on our River Breamish and Pow Burn Restoration Project page.
We’ve just launched River Tweed Gin, a new small-batch spirit that we hope will help to support our work. Crafted by Selkirk Distillers, this special gin captures the flavours of the landscape and is made with locally foraged botanicals including water mint and sweet cicely. It has a fresh, vital aroma and delicate grassy, herbal notes.
Every bottle purchased directly supports our conservation work across the 5,000 km2 River Tweed catchment, with £7 from every £38 bottle sold helping to fund vital tree planting projects. Tree planting makes a huge difference to the health of the catchment and is also one of the most effective ways to help Atlantic salmon survive and thrive by providing the cool, clean water and habitat they need.
Tweed Forum have planted 1.6 million trees so far, but there’s much more to do as climate change and habitat loss continue to threaten salmon populations. Please consider purchasing a bottle today and enjoy a wonderful Scottish gin while helping us restore and protect the River Tweed for future generations.
You can place your River Tweed Gin order on the Selkirk Distillers website (over 18s only, please drink responsibly).
Do you know someone from the Scottish Borders or north Northumberland who deserves to be our next Tweed Forum River Champion? The Tweed Forum River Champion Award is our way of recognising and celebrating individuals who are dedicated to helping protect and enhance the natural, built and cultural heritage of the River Tweed catchment. Their contributions can be through their work, volunteering or personal commitment and they can come from all walks of life including farming, forestry, angling, conservation, education and community work.
Peeblesshire farm manager Matt Griffin (pictured) won last year’s Award for his efforts to boost land resilience and enhance biodiversity. Other previous winners have included people working to restore woodlands, monitor riverflies, tackle non-native invasive plant species, conserve historic buildings, campaign against pollution and improve wildlife habitat.
We know that there are lots of people who work quietly behind the scenes to look after our rivers so if you know of anyone you think should be nominated for this year’s Award, please get in touch by Friday 11 September. Please visit our Tweed Forum River Champion page to find out how you can nominate as well as additional information about the Award.
The latest Tweed Matters is packed with updates on what we’ve been up to over the last year. In this edition we feature a visit from the BBC Countryfile team (pictured below), celebrate our 2025 Tweed Forum River Champion and share exciting news about the launch of the Tweed Landscape Enterprise Network (LENs), as well as all the usual project updates and other news from the Tweed Forum team.
This summer, restoration works are planned at Hedgeley Estate as part of a major project to improve the River Breamish and Pow Burn for wildlife, water and people.
For years, rivers like the Breamish and Pow Burn have been shaped by drainage, engineering and land management. While many of these changes once served a purpose, some now limit the river’s natural ability to connect with its floodplain, slow water, create healthy habitats for wildlife and remain resilient in the face of climate change.
The River Breamish and Pow Burn Restoration Project will help restore natural river processes by creating new side channels, reconnecting floodplain habitats, improving wetland areas and creating more space for water during high flows.
The construction phase of the project is expected between August and October 2026 and we have lots of information on our River Breamish and Pow Burn Restoration Project page including the types of works taking place and their timings, project maps, details of temporary footpath changes and measures we will be taking to protect wildlife during the construction phase.
River Breamish and artificial gravel ponds at Hedgeley
We are excited to share our new short film, “A River Set Free”, which explores and celebrates the successful delivery of the Harehope Restoration Project. Created by Tommy Wilkinson and Tweed Forum’s Craig Marshall, the film follows the project team as they showcase the restoration of the River Breamish at Harehope Estate.
As one of the largest and most ambitious river restoration projects in the UK, the restoration design included re-meandering a straightened section and reconnecting the river with its floodplain, delivering benefits for water quality, biodiversity and flood management.
As part of the programme, presenter Matt Baker helped Tweed Forum Project Officer, Jane Gibson, plant some downy birch, goat willow and alder trees along the riverbank in the headwaters of the Leader Water, a tributary of the Tweed.
Tweed Forum’s Jane Gibson (far right) takes BBC Countryfile presenter Matt Baker (adjacent) through the process of planting native trees along the banks of a river
Native trees are important for many reasons including helping young Atlantic salmon survive. They provide ideal habitat for pollinators and for invertebrates that the Atlantic salmon can then feed off. Importantly, when grown they provide dappled shading that helps cool water temperatures which are increasing due to the warming climate. Warm water holds less oxygen, making it harder for Atlantic salmon, a cold-water species, to breathe and causing significant stress.
The whole programme is a wonderful showcase of the River Tweed, its heritage, traditions and importance in the area so we highly recommend that you take a look.
And thanks again to Matt and the superb Countryfile team for including our work.
One of the reasons the Borders Tree Grant Scheme was established was to benefit wildlife, and it’s fascinating that oak trees benefit wildlife more than any other tree species in the UK. Oak trees are important for a wide range of birds, mammals, insects, fungi and mosses, with 2,300 species dependent on oak at least for part of their life, 326 of which are only found on oak (source: www.scotlink.org/species/oak).
If you have a small piece of ground (that is outwith a formal garden) and you’re interested in planting some trees with a high amenity value, why not apply for up to 100% of material and labour costs (up to £1,000) to help with tree planting.
The Borders Tree Grant Scheme helps community groups and private landowners to plant small woodlands (up to 0.25 ha in size), individual parkland trees, field margin trees, riverside trees, apple orchards and trees in school grounds and on community managed land.
We are halfway through winter but there is still plenty time to plant trees. Why not visit our Borders Tree Grant Scheme page to find out more and make an application. Please note that the scheme will close for the season on Monday 23rd February 2026.
Peeblesshire farm manager, Matt Griffin has been chosen as our 2025 Tweed Forum River Champion in recognition of his nature-inspired approach to agriculture which is boosting land resilience and enhancing biodiversity. The award is presented each year to someone with an outstanding commitment to protecting, preserving and enhancing the River Tweed and its surrounding natural, built and cultural heritage.
Peebleshire farm manager, Matt Griffin, receiving his 2025 Tweed Forum River Champion trophy from Tweed Forum Chair, Debbie Playfair
Presenting Matt with his trophy, Tweed Forum Chair, Debbie Playfair said: “The health of the River Tweed and its many tributaries depends on the land that surrounds them. Matt’s work at Neidpath Farms shows how thoughtful land management can deliver benefits far beyond the farm gate, including improved water quality, increased biodiversity and a landscape that is strengthened against climate pressures. Matt’s work, and his willingness to share the knowledge gathered as a result, makes him a truly deserving Tweed Forum River Champion.”
