A CHARITY is offering the chance to buy an acre of Britain’s highest mountain for just £25.
The John Muir Trust is selling off bits of Ben Nevis to the public to raise money for badly-needed conservation and preservation work.
A total of 4,300 acres of the 1,345m (4,413ft) peak will, for the first time ever, be sold.
But before anyone dreams of building a bothy with the best view in Britain, the rules prevent any development whatsoever of the land, which will return to the ownership of the trust after 12 months.
Plots of land are also being sold for the same amount on Schiehallion, Perth and Kinross, where 2,000 acres will be up for grabs as well as 12,000 acres on Blà Bheinn, Skye.
The sale will raise more than £450,000 for the trust , who will give each new “landowner” a pack with an adoption certificate, personalised message, and information about the conservation work their money is helping to support.
If buyers decide to adopt two or more acres, they’ll also get a professional print of their chosen mountain.
The money generated will be used to improve the habitat for wildlife and plants as well as native woodland restoration.
The Trust also plan to use some of the money to maintain footpaths on the mountains to help reduce the impact visitors have on the natural landscape.
Daisy Clark of the John Muir Trust said: “The Adopt an Acre gift pack makes an ideal Christmas present for nature lovers, walkers or anyone who loves the outdoors.
“Each gift will care for an acre of mountain landscape for a year, helping to protect and restore native habitats for wildlife and plants, and keep paths in tip-top condition.”
Although people who have adopted an acre won’t be able to visit the exact location of their new land, the Trust do encourage people to join in with volunteer or work groups and the information packs contain information for visitors.
Schiehallion, which means ‘Fairy Hill of the Caledonians’, covers over 2,000 acres and stands at 1,083 m (3553 ft.)
Whilst Blà Bheinn standing at 928 m (3,044 ft), sits amongst the stunning landscape of the Cuillin Hills, with over 12,000 acres of land providing a home to one of the densest populations of eagles in the UK.
The John Muir Trust was founded in 1983, taking its name from their Scots-born founder, and aims to conserve and protect wild places for the benefit of generations to come. It took over ownership of Ben Nevis in early 2000.
