If you have walked around the base of Berwick Law recently, you would have noticed large areas where extensive clumps of gorse have been cut back. While gorse is a familiar, native, wildlife-friendly plant in many places, the work to manage its spread on Berwick Law is an important part of caring for this special site.
Berwick Law, like Traprain Law, is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), primarily for its species-rich calcareous grassland – a rare habitat in East Lothian that supports a wide range of wildflowers, insects, and other wildlife.
Protecting biodiversity on calcareous grassland
Calcareous grassland depends on open conditions and low nutrient levels. Gorse, if left largely unmanaged, spreads quickly and forms dense scrub that shades out the short turf plants that make this habitat so valuable. These include wildflowers that support pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths. Through cutting back gorse, land managers, in this case the East Lothian Ranger Service, help maintain the open grassland conditions that allow these rare and locally important species to survive and flourish.
For those who enjoy the bright yellow flowers and scent of coconut, do not despair. The aim is not to remove gorse altogether but to keep it in balance so that no single habitat dominates at the expense of others. This variety is key to supporting a wide range of wildlife across this unique site.
Reducing wildfire risk
Gorse is also highly flammable, especially during dry spells. On a prominent hill like Berwick Law that receives so many visitors, unmanaged gorse can significantly increase the risk of wildfire, threatening wildlife, nearby homes, and the safety of visitors. Cutting back gorse helps reduce fuel loads and makes the site more resilient during dry weather.
Protecting archaeology
Berwick Law is also an extremely important historic landscape with archaeological features that tell the story of how people have used the hill over thousands of years. Uncontrolled gorse growth can damage these features through root growth and makes them difficult to see, monitor, and protect. Careful scrub management helps preserve our local heritage.
Planned with care for wildlife
All gorse management on Berwick Law is carefully planned by East Lothian’s Countryside Service. Work is timed to avoid the bird nesting season and some areas of gorse are deliberately retained to provide shelter and food for wildlife. The goal is careful management.