Leven LENs Blog
New regenerative agriculture programme set to strengthen farm resilience and climate outcomes in Scotland
Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs), in collaboration with the Forth Rivers Trust, Diageo, SSEN and Perth & Kinross Council, today announced the launch of the LENs initiative in Scotland’s Leven catchment region, a project supported by FIRNS and NatureScot. The announcement was made at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh.
The initiative aims to build resilience across farming communities and the agricultural supply chain in the catchment, to enhance the livelihoods of local farmers and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The scoping work for this LENs programme has been supported by SRUC, who have provided academic and advisory support.
For its inaugural trade in 2025, LENs Leven has the support of three key partners – Diageo, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution and Perth & Kinross Council, who are set to invest in 10-15 farms in the region. All see significant potential for growth in LENs and are calling for further organisations to join, so that the drive towards collaboration can scale quickly in coming years in Scotland.
Meet Louise Batchelor, Portmoak Woodland Community Group
Louise standing in front of the raised bog at Portmoak MossMeet Louise Bachelor, a founding member of the Portmoak Community Woodland Group (PCWG) and a current member of its steering committee.  On an overcast and misty Monday morning, I met Louise outside Portmoak...
Meet Jimmy Smith, Kilted Christmas Tree Company
Jimmy Smith beside his pickup truck at the Tillyochie Farm officesMeet Jimmy Smith, a self-proclaimed "non-farmer" who grows Christmas trees and produces eggs alongside his son, Cameron Smith. While Cameron manages the farming side of the business, Jimmy focuses on...
A Visit to East of England 2025 Trade Launch
Yesterday, the Leven LENs team—Amelia, Rachel, and Clara—had the pleasure of traveling to England to attend the East of England (EoE) 2025 Trade Launch. This event provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with stakeholders and learn from the longest-running LENs,...
Leven LENs at Climate Café
I walked into the Loch Leven Community Library, reflecting on the early days of the Leven LENs project. Back then, I would come to the library to work, explore the Kinross Museum, and connect with the people who ran and used the library. Now, standing here, I felt a...
Our Vision & Roadmap
On a sunny day in August, we brought together a diverse group of ten people—community members, farm advisors, local business, environmental NGOs, council representatives, and local historians—to take the first steps in shaping a shared vision for the regeneration of...
LENs To Scale Further
As Forth Rivers Trust is working with the amazing team at LENs Company to launch the first trade of Leven LENs, we are excited by the new developments announced by LENs Company. With six years of impactful work to build more resilient landscapes across the UK and...
Meet Mark Thomson, Tillyrie Farm
Mark Thomson standing in front of a gate to one the field overlooking Milnathort and Loch LevenMeet Mark Thomson, who manages and runs Tillyrie Farm with support from his daughters Fiona and Rebecca Thomson. The farm spans 199 hectares, stretching from fields near...
A Sunny Gathering with Leven Catchment Farmers
On a beautiful sunny summer evening, we had the pleasure of coming together with farmers from across the Leven catchment. The evening was an opportunity to discuss the projects and ideas we've been developing to support farm and landscape health, resilience, and...
Getting To Know The Agricultural Landscape
As part of the Leven LENs project I want to get to know the agricultural landscape, to better understand farming operations, including what farmers they grow, who they supply, and how they feel about the catchment where they live and work. One of the main reasons the...
A Wondrous Wetland Walk
This Saturday we went for a wondrous wetland walk at RSPB Loch Leven! Gathering local community groups and residents, it was a chance for us to share more about Leven LENs and share knowledge about wetlands. Yvonne, senior site manager of RSPB Loch Leven, provided us...
Leven LENs at GO Falkland
The Leven LENs team went to GO Falkland, an exciting festival bringing together amazing people from all over Scotland to dive into everything related to sustainable food production. The event was a fantastic opportunity to experience the vibrant energy that emerges...
Leven LENs At Groundswell: Clara’s Reflections
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Groundswell 2024, and what an inspiring two days! Groundswell is one, if not the biggest, event focused on regenerative food and farming systems in the UK. It brings together many stakeholders—farmers, retailers,...
Community Collaboration for Holistic Landscape Regeneration Â
Landscapes depend on the stewardship of place-based communities. Partnering with local communities to catalyze restoration is therefore an important part of how holistic landscape regeneration can create positive-lasting change. Collaboration not only enhances the...
Leven Landscape Enterprise Network Secures Funding to Revolutionise Green Finance in Scotland
The Leven Landscape Enterprise Network (LLEN) is thrilled to announce a major funding boost from NatureScot’s Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS) and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This exciting project, spearheaded by the Forth Rivers Trust, in collaboration with Nature Scot, SEPA, 3keel, and other partners, aims to revolutionise the approach to green finance within the Leven catchment around the breathtaking Loch Leven in Perth and Kinross.