This article is taken from the July 2011 College Valley newsletter. It is an interview with the land agent Colin Matheson.

"The casual observer in March and early April may wonder why there are plumes of smoke rising from the Lammermuir hills or from the heather moorland surrounding the Cheviot.Rotational heather burning or "muirburn", as it is known in Scotland,has been practised for a very long time.

The environment of the Cheviot hills, once covered by dense oak,birch ,hazel and alder,has been shaped by man since early times.Iron age and medieval farmers cleared woodland for grazing,mostly cattle and goats, and also for hunting.

There were constant fires started by the large population of people living in the hills. North of the Border an Act of the Scottish parliament in 1400 referred to muirburn and precise restrictions were introduced in the 17th C when a closed season between march and the end of april was introduced.

Here in the College Valley we carry out our carefully managed heather burning to generate the growth of young heather, vital as a food source for both grazing animals and the red grouse.

We work to a Burning(moor) Management Plan agreed with natural England and aim to achieve a rotation of no less than 10 years to break up the stands of mature heather and provide a varied age structure for sheep grazing, a healthy stock of grouse and the best habitat for ground nesting birds.

The burning season finishes on april 15th so the window of opportunity is limited. The heather must be "dry" and "fit" and there must be no strong winds.Ideally we burn with a team of 5 experienced and trained operators backed by an all terrain vehicle with a 1,000 litre water tank and fire hoses.

Each burn covers an area of at most 50 by 50 metres, the edges of which are cut round with a flail mower to create a fire break.

The downwind side is lit and the heather allowed to "back burn" into the wind until there is a significant burnt area. The sides are then lit and the fire allowed to advance slowly upwind.

Vigilance is required and each man has safety gear, a face mask, gloves and long-handled beater. Before burning the fire service is alerted and advised of the exact location of the burns. At the end of the you have to "sign off" with the fire service.

In 2010 we were unable to do any burning because of the weather. This year, 2011, the weather was kind and we achieved our objectives. Links :

http://www.northumbria-byways.com/collegevalley.htm

http://www.northumberland-tales.com/College-Vally-Newton-Tors.html