Explore Minuntion
In spring the valley is bursting with wildflowers and birdsong, and by summer the woods are all the shades of green. In autumn the purple heather appears and the leaves turn amber. Snow comes to the hills in winter.
The Farm
The Farm
The estate has three all-grassland farms: Minuntion, Pinclanty and Benan. Contract farmers the Currie family run a flock of 1,600 breeding ewes producing high quality scotch lamb. Blackface and Cheviot ewes are crossed with Blue Faced Leicester and Texel tups to produce Scotch Mules. Lambing, which is done outside, begins at the end of March and lasts a month. Whilst we keep some as replacements, a proportion of our lambs are sold in August either privately to fattening ‘store’ units, or through local markets. The rest are finished on better grass here, or elsewhere, to be sold ‘prime’ towards the end of the year. All our sheep are grazed on diverse sward and on a rotational basis, which increases carbon capture and allows a more organic style of returning nutrients into the soil.
Wildlife
Wildlife
Minuntion has a rich and varied ecosystem and a diverse wildlife thrives alongside the sheep. We continue to look for opportunities to improve the biodiversity of the land that we manage and we are committed to farming with nature. Over the past 30 years we have planted over 250,000 trees in the valley as mixed woodland. We have created lochs, ponds and scrapes, particularly for the benefit of wading birds. Hedgerows have also been established and restored, as corridors for wildlife between woodland and scrub habitats. Wildflowers flourish here, while the water teems with life from salmon and trout to newts, frogs, toads and otters. The woods are home to red squirrels, hedgehogs, foxes and pine martens. At dusk you may see bats, roe deer, badgers, hares and hear the night calls of owls and - if you are very lucky - a nightingale. The bird life includes peregrines, kestrels, hen harriers, skylarks, sandpipers, curlews and oyster catchers. Bring your camera, sit beside the river, or in one of our bird hides - you never know what you might see.
Walking
Walking
There are many paths around the estate for visitors to enjoy and we welcome responsible public access. As it is a working farm and we have a number of ground nesting birds, we ask that dogs are kept on leads at all times. At Pinclanty Forest we have created a long walking route which takes in dense woodland, small lochs and open moorland. A short drive away, above the village of Barr, are the Barr Trails, a 20-mile network of differing lengths and terrains, which includes the Fairy Knowe, the Devil’s Footprint and Changue Forest. The sea is just west of here where you can join the South Ayrshire Coastal Path that meets the Mull of Galloway Trail and the Southern Upland Way. And not far is The Merrick in the Range of The Awful Hand. At 2,766 feet, it is the highest hill in the South of Scotland.
Family
Family
Bring your family here to connect with nature and find adventure. There are garden games in the cottages and lots of space for children to run free. They will love cycling up and down the forest tracks, visiting the den-building area and following the nature trail. Here they can learn to identify the many species and plants that call this farm their home. A family favourite of ours is to have a teatime picnic and roast marshmallows on the campfire down at the river and then sit out late and watch the stars of the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park. Further afield there are white sand beaches, adventure playgrounds, award-winning farm parks and many outdoor activities to suit all ages.
The Woods
The Woods
The estate has a large mixture of native woodland, commercial conifer forestry, shelter belts and riparian planting along the banks of the River Stinchar and other watercourses. Broadleaf species include Oak, Beech, Sycamore, Cherry, Birch, Rowan, Hazel, Alder and Willow. We also grow English cricket bat willows for J.S. Wright and Sons. The species in the conifer blocks are predominantly high yielding Sitka spruce but also contain areas of Douglas fir, Scots pine, Lodge pole pine, Noble fir and Norway spruce. Here there are many open areas, wetlands and lochs created for waterfowl and aquatic flora. There is also a walking trail and forest school area used by local outward-bound groups and children. The woodlands are all managed under a Forestry Stewardship Council Long Term Plan and are FSC certified and audited under the UK Forest Standard and UK Woodland Assurance Standard.
Further Afield
Nearby Attractions
For those wishing to explore a little further, Minuntion sits within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park. The beaches of South Ayrshire and Galloway, ruined castles, abbeys and ancient burial sites, country spas and world-famous golf courses are all just a short drive away. Take a boat trip from Girvan to the uninhabited granite island of Ailsa Craig, or fish for mackerel off the coast. There is also an extensive network of mountain biking trails in the Galloway Forest and lush west coast gardens near the sea to visit. Choose between cosy pubs, seaside cafes, world-class restaurants and farm shops bursting with local produce. Get in touch and we can help you with your plans.
