Case Study: Langholm

Langholm Initiative was founded in 1994 and is one of the longest running development trusts in the South of Scotland. Established initially to respond to the economic decline of the town, it facilitates projects that make a lasting difference to the local area and local people. The Initiative saw the potential of owning the land to not only regenerate the local economy but to preserve and protect the landscape for future generations and make positive steps towards climate mitigation by creating the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve. As well as the creation of a new national nature reserve, the business plan included proposals for renewable energy projects, the development of a number of farm buildings into homes and field study centre as well as nature based tourism initiatives, a peatland restoration project and carbon capture opportunities.