Kinkell Byre, the exclusive converted barn wedding venue, located on the coast just outside of St Andrews, has launched seasonal Nature Conservation Tours, giving wedding guests and other visitors the chance to learn more about the rewilding of the former arable and livestock farm, the Fife coastline, and the historic seaside town.
The Nature Conservation Tours, which will run every September to March, will be led by owner Rory Fyfe, who currently lives on the farm and launched the ‘Rewilding Kinkell’ project in 2020. The tour will explain the reasons why rewilding is so important and how it will benefit the land at Kinkell, by allowing natural processes to take hold once again, reversing the loss of biodiversity caused by intensive farming and encouraging the return of native plants, insects, bees, birds, and larger animals. The tour will also explain how the increase in plant life will sequester carbon from the atmosphere, while offering the chance for visitors to meet the resident highland cows at Kinkell and to better understand the importance of ‘conservation grazing’.
The first stage of the rewilding project has seen 6,430 trees planted, 10 wetlands created, 127 fruit trees planted to encourage bees, insects, and other pollinators, and 981 metres of fencing erected to enable free roaming conservation grazing in the future. The tour will take visitors around the native tree planting, wetland creation and wildflower meadow sowing, and explain each stage of the project. The ‘Rewilding Kinkell’ project has been made possible due to two significant grants received from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, coupled with support received from the Woodland Trust, numerous volunteers, and the Northwoods Rewilding Network.
The tour will also include a walk along the Fife coastline, a site of Special Scientific Interest, where Rory will explain about its special features and the volcanic geology of the area. In addition, the tour will continue past a secret beach and cave into the nearby famous town of St Andrews, where Rory will provide a historical insight into the town’s best features including the harbour, castle, and cathedral.
Visitors who are interested in the tour can also stay in the newly launched high spec accommodation facilities on site during the week. The ten new cabins, made from natural materials including locally sourced Scottish larch and birch plywood, overlook the ecological conservation project at Kinkell. The cabins are situated a short walk away from the Byre and, as part of the rewilding plans, the cabins will eventually be situated in a native wildflower meadow.
The ten self-catering cabins are suitable for two people, enjoy a sea view, and come equipped with a table and two chairs, a hairdryer, linen and towels. Within the cabin there is a basic kitchenette, with microwave, kettle, fridge, and toaster, and it also includes an ensuite shower room.
Rory Fyfe, owner of Kinkell Byre, said: “Part of our mission as a sustainable business is to reconnect people with nature and we believe that we can achieve this through these tours. There is a lack of understanding of everything that nature does for us, which has led to the crises we face today. Through these tours we hope to do our part to educate people in the importance of biodiversity and help bring them closer to nature.”
Kinkell Byre is currently offering a winter deal of a two-night stay plus the Nature Conservation Tour for groups of four at a discounted price of £150 per person. To find out more and/or to book, please email: info@kinkell.com
