About James Gillies

James Gillies performing land management

The Story So Far

I clearly remember as a child in the 1970 and early 1980s, walking through fields and seeing clouds of insects. And travelling in my father’s Austin Allegro, frequent stops had to be made to clear dead flies and other insects from the windscreen. Where did all these insects go?

Our drive for efficient food production forgot the insects and I now firmly believe that if we can look after the insects, the rest of nature will, with time and care, restore itself to previous biodiverse levels.

And we can do it profitably too.

My passion for the environment and to help farmers farm profitably has grown stronger.

If we all work together, with vision and passion, we can farm profitably and benefit the world around us.

I use my 25+ years’ of practical experience in habitat creation and land management to help landowners enjoy and get what they want from their land whilst enhancing its ecological value.

I offer a bespoke service working directly with my clients to manage all areas of a habitat creation or land management project. My service ensures continuity in planning and delivery; I aim to save you time, to give you the freedom to enjoy your land and to maximise the benefits for you and for wildlife.

I am a Fellow Advisor in the Society of Agriculture (FASAg) being recognised for my experience and professional standing in Farm and Estate Management and Consultancy.

My experience includes:

Countryside Stewardship Grant scheme application, implementation and grant claim
Sustainable Farm Incentive application and management
Woodland Management Plan application and management 
Rural planning applications
Hedge management including laying and planting 
Establishing and managing ponds and wetland habitat
Land drainage
Woodland management
Grassland management
Tree Risk Management
Water and drinking systems
Drone mapping
GPS boundary mapping and marking
Infrastructure construction
Wildflower meadow creation and management
Project management
Contractor management

With my help you can spend quality time enjoying your land rather than worrying about it or maintaining it. You will be able to ride, shoot and walk the dog more often whilst taking great pride in your surroundings.

Chat with James today