SCOTLAND’S GIANT HEDGE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3382, 11 July 1927, Page 2

SCOTLAND’S GIANT HEDGE.

The great beech hedge at Meikleour. Perthshire, is not only the highest of its kind known, but ia also one of the arboreal wonders of the world, and is visited 'every year by travellers from every part of the globe. When viewed in early summer the hedge presents a truly wonderful picture of Nature’s loveliness, but at other seasons the delicate colouring of the beech in its changing aspects never fails to win admiration from the beholder Situated about five miles from Blangowrie, on the property of the Marquis of Lansidowne, the giant beech hedge extends for about half a mile, and attains a height of more than 100 ft. from the ground (writes a contributor to the “Weekly Scotsman”). It is believed to have been planted in 1745, and that men engaged in- erecting the stone dyke at the base of the hedge hurried off to take their part in the last struggle of Prince Charlie at Culloden, in 1746. The first impression is one of astonishment at the dizzy height of the hedge, which, in the heat of summer, affords a graceful shade to perspiring travellers. The task of pruning this mammoth hedge is one /of considerable difficulty and danger, and when it is mentioned that it is pruned to a height of 80ft from the ground, some idea of the work necessary to keep it trim and neat will be appreciated. Of course, the hedge is not “clipped” every year, and sometimes a few’ years elapse between the trimmings. The first part of the pruning is the cutting of the undergrowth as high as the foresters can reach, and afterwrads the men have to work from a specially prepared ladder mounted on four wheels, to enable it to be moved about freely. This ladder reaches to a height of 30ft, and after the men have pruned to the full extent of their ladder, 50ft of the hedge remains to be cut. To accomplish this the foresters have to climb the hedge, and, from a dizzy height, lop off the extending branches. Operations have to -be suspended in a high wind or driving rain, as even a gentle breeze causes the beech to sway and rock like a reed. The task of cutting tbe®hedge is usually entrusted to men of experience, who are familiar with the extent of the swaying; and accidents, even of a’ slight nature, are rare. It is between 70ft and 80ft from the ground that the most hazardous part of the work confronts the foresters, and great care has to be exercised while lopping off the branches at this altitude, as the men have the use of only one hand, the other being required to hold on to the main trunk. Each man carries in his pocket a long length of twine so that should he chance to drop his pruning hook he loTvers the string for his companion on the road to tie it on. The men have to endure many severe scratches and bruises, and their clothing on the completion ’ of their task betrays the rough usage to which it has been subjected, but the men smilingly regard this as all in the day’s work. Even, year thousands of motorists make a point of directing their cars in the direction of the beech hedge at Meiklueor, and it is a kind of unwritten law that all such vehicles) should stop for a few minutes and allow the occupants of the cars to enjoy an extended view of this charming and restful arboreal example of Scotland’s rustic beauty.