FOREST ENTERPRISE Scotland is looking for some Perthshire sheep to help maintain a Scheduled Ancient monument.

Their mission, should the sheep choose to accept it, will be to graze a seasonal let in Allean Forest just north of Loch Tummel (NN840619) and help keep the four-post Na Clachan Aoraidh stone circle clear of vegetation.

Graeme Findlay for the FES team in Tay District, explained: “We Are offering a 17.41 ha seasonal grazing – suitable for around 30-35 sheep – for a period of two months during September and October and we might consider a further period of one month in the spring.

“It’s a limestone area and we are looking to get the sheep to keep the mix of grasslands on the site in the right balance, reducing the more acidic grassland plants to give more space for calcareous grassland species.

“As well as keeping the stone circle clear of vegetation, the grazing should help us to expand the rare and specialised plant communities that grow where limestone outcrops can be found by reducing the competition from other vegetation."

The site is stock-fenced and has water on-site, but might need additional water in very dry weather periods. Effective grazing in September and October is key to the offer, and an extension of grazing for four weeks in the Spring may be offered at some point in the future through agreement by both parties.

For details, contact the FES Tay District Office in Dunkeld on 0300 067 6380.