Replanting the Woodland: Autumn 2025 at Orroland
Woodland has always been at the heart of Orroland. Over many decades, the Kennedy family has planted tens of thousands of trees across the estate, shaping the landscape that guests enjoy today. Almost every mature tree lining our drives, sheltering the cottages and framing the shoreline was planted by hand by previous generations, with a long-term vision of creating a thriving and beautiful coastal woodland.
In recent years, that woodland faced its greatest challenge.
Storms and loss
Storms Arwen and Éowyn swept across the Solway coast with extraordinary force, hitting Orroland particularly hard. The exposed plantations suffered devastating damage and thousands of trees were lost in just a few hours. Areas that had grown steadily for decades were suddenly opened up, leaving the estate changed almost overnight.
While the loss was deeply felt, it also marked the beginning of a long process of restoration.
Photo showing devestated trees at the top of Orroland after Storm Arwen in 2021
Careful harvesting and reuse
In the years following the storms, professional forestry teams carefully harvested the fallen and damaged timber. This was done not only to make the woodland safe, but also to prepare the ground for replanting and future growth.
We were determined that as much of the timber as possible would be put to good use:
- Firewood for the estate: A portion of the felled trees was processed into firewood, now warming our holiday cottages and homes through the colder months.
- Sustainable timber use: The remaining timber was sold responsibly, with some contributing to green energy generation at the wood-fired power station near Lockerbie.
In this way, even trees lost to the storms have continued to support the estate and the wider transition to renewable energy.
One of the woods during harvesting
Autumn 2025: a new beginning
By autumn 2025, the land was finally ready for replanting. This marked an important milestone — not just replacing what had been lost, but shaping the next chapter of Orroland’s woodland for future generations.
We chose a carefully considered mix of native species to ensure resilience, biodiversity and long-term beauty:
- Scots Pine
- Oak
- Birch
- Rowan
These species are well suited to our coastal environment and will, in time, create a diverse and wildlife-rich woodland.
Over 11,000 trees ready for planting
A professional planting team set to work and, over the course of the season, 11,500 young trees were planted across the estate. Every tree was individually staked and protected with guards to give it the best possible start and to safeguard it from wind and wildlife as it establishes.
The trees planting some of the trees
Looking ahead
Tree planting at Orroland has always been a long-term commitment. The woodland enjoyed by guests today was planted by earlier generations; the trees planted in 2025 are a gift to the future.
In the years ahead, these young trees will grow to shelter wildlife, shape the landscape and provide that special sense of seclusion and natural beauty that defines a stay at Orroland. For us, this project represents not just recovery after the storms, but renewal — continuing a tradition of careful stewardship that has guided the estate for decades.