Langholm Initiative

We are an award-winning community development trust for Eskdale, based in Langholm and working to make our area a better place to live, work and visit.

By working with and for the communities of Eskdale, for over 30 years we have been at the forefront of development.

Eskdale, hidden away between miles of rolling hills, is a community with heart. A former textile town, Langholm was known as the ‘Muckle Toon’ for its growing population and bustling mills. Those days have since passed, and continued decline of traditional industries in Eskdale since the 1980s have meant that our population has decimated and our local economy has suffered.

​That’s where Langholm Initiative comes in. Formed in 1994 as a partnership between private and public sectors, we were a response to a post-industrial crisis. This was the beginning of a long history of success. As one of south Scotland’s earliest development trusts, we have led the way in facilitating projects that make a real, lasting difference to our area, some of which you can read about here.

​We are the community anchor organisation for Eskdale, continually working to improve services and facilities for our area. By growing our networks and expanding our skills we have been able to achieve and succeed for the benefit of our community.

​Tarras Valley Nature Reserve

In May 2019, Buccleuch Estates announced its decision to sell 25,000 acres of Langholm Moor. This news came as a surprise and a shock to the local community who have deep cultural connections with the land. For over 250 years, the community have marked the boundaries of the land through the annual Common Riding, much of this land sat within the sale area.

Following extensive local consultations, the Langholm initiative agreed to take forward a fundraising campaign on behalf of the community, attempting to raise over £6m to purchase 10,500 acres of this very special landscape. Community ownership of land was a chance to help support wider regeneration of the town through new nature-based enterprises and make a meaningful contribution to the climate and ecological emergency.

After 2 years of fundraising, in what was termed a moment of history and hope for people, nature and climate, the community of Langholm now legally owns 10,500 acres of the Tarras Valley and Langholm Moor. The vast landholding is being developed into the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve. It includes upland moorland; ancient woodlands; river meadows; internationally important peatlands, and 8 properties including an upland hefted sheep farm.