Stanley Beeches
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Originally
a laird’s mansion, Stanley House, to the East of the
village
of
Stanley
and Stanley Mills in Perthshire, is an ancient mansion dating from
the first half of the 15th century, but greatly altered
in 17th century; it no longer exists in complete form.
Nearby is the ruin of the 16th century
Inchbervis tower- house. Sheltered
to the North by a crescent-shaped hill, which rises 135 feet above
the
Tay
, the modern ruin stands on a beautiful haugh, surrounded by grand
old trees, including a broad beech avenue.
The trees for which Arboretum Internationale Limited has
undertaken conservation works are likely to be part of the 17th
century drive-side avenue. |
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Stanley Mills are situated in rural
Perthshire, in a picturesque setting on the bend of the River Tay, just
a few hundred yards south of the
village
of
Stanley
. Founded in 1785, they formed the largest and most northerly industrial
cotton development of the day. Three
large mill buildings stand in a U shape around a courtyard which
contains the earliest extant gasworks chimney in
Scotland
. The original Bell Mill was completed in 1878, the Mid and East Mills
date from the early 19th century. The mills fell silent between 1814 and
1823, and after seeing various changes in ownership, some lengthy
closures and the decline of the cotton industry in
Scotland
, the Mills stood lifeless until they were rescued from impending
dereliction by Historic Scotland in 1995.
The
Mills still retain much of their 18th century character, including the
lades and wheel-pits of the original water-powered mills. The mills
reflect the changing needs of society with Mid Mill and East Mill having
now been developed for private housing.
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The trees on site largely
relate to Stanley house in its various guises over the years; a
number of mature Yews are likely to be associated with the early
structures, the majority of the other mature trees relate to the
landscape changes made in the late 17th and early 18th
centuries, particularly the avenues leading from the mills to the
house and beyond to the ruin of Inchbervis castle.
The current owners of the estate have built a new house on
the site and are minded to conserve the mature landscape.
The estate is home to many mature trees in varying
condition, some of which posed a real threat to residents,
visitors and wildlife. The
usual forest management approach had been proposed: i.e. to fell
and remove the dead, dying and dangerous specimens.
Thankfully, the owners consulted with Forestry Commission
Scotland, who suggested that arboricultural solutions should be
considered. Arboretum
Internationale Limited carried out visual re-inspections of the
prominent trees, identified problems and designed practical
solutions to promote safety and conserve wildlife habitat, thereby
creating the unusual visual amenity found today.
The trees look significantly different but are still alive
and in place and they provide habitat for endangered birds, bats
and insects that would have been lost, had the trees failed
naturally or been felled. |
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