Howietoun (marked in blue) is located within the grounds of Old Sauchiemill, Stirling Scotland, once forming part of the Old Sauchieburn Estate, a short distance from the Bannockburn Monument, and site of the 1488 Battle of Sauchieburn.
The Howietoun Heritage and Nature Sanctuary Charitable Trust was founded by Michelle Pearson on the 1st of December 2020. The trust was concluded in February 2026 to allow the site to evolve even further under a more straightforward arrangement and is now simply known as The Howietoun Heritage and Nature Sanctuary. This facilitates the renewed protection of Howietoun within the wider land parcel of Old Sauchiemill, helping to accelerate the Conservation Management Plan.
Old Sauchiemill, Stirling, of which Howietoun is a part, is managed under the custodianship of Sharon Pearson Ltd, fulfilling Heritage and Nature Reserve activities in support of its founding purposes, namely:
1. Heritage, the Arts, Culture, and Science
2. Environmental Protection and Improvement
3. Animal Welfare
We aim to:
- Preserve this internationally recognized heritage site, founded by Sir James Maitland in 1873, known as the “Cradle of Aquaculture” by restoring its unique buildings. In particular, The Summer House, currently on the building at risk register and its Water Channels and Ponds, to showcase the fine Victorian Engineering that once housed Howietoun Trout.
- Protect and enhance the biodiversity of the landscape, the 32 freshwater ponds to be used to also provide varying natural habitats housing varieties of re-emerging aquatic species and plant life.
Restoration works are ongoing and progress on track. We currently provide an educational resource for conservation and research and as the project evolves, it will include showcasing its significant historic structures whilst providing a safe haven for nature to flourish.
howietounheritage.co.uk 