The World's Tallest Hedge and its History  

The longest hedge in UK is acclaimed as the world's tallest hedge. The Meikleour Hedge is located in Meikleour, Perth and Kinross, Scotland at the side of A93 Perth-Blairgowrie Road. Meikleour is closest to A93just about 12 miles or 18 km north of Pert, 4 miles or 6 km south of Blairgowrie and 10 or 15 km east of Dunkeld.

The Guinness World Records has listed Meikleour Hedge as the tallest and longest hedge in the world because of its height which is 100 feet (30 meters) and a length of 173 miles (530 meters).

It was said that the hedge is cut and re-measured once every 10 years. Four men have to accomplish this work which can be finished in more than 6 weeks!

Meikleour Hedge comprised of beech trees and this is the reason why it was named such. The word Meikle means beech in the Scottish language. It was more than 250 years ago when these rows of beech trees, with Fagus sylvatica as its scientific name, was planted.

There are three tales behind Meikleour Hedge.

The first tale states that the hedge was planted by Robert Murray Nairne and his wife, Jean Mercer of Meikleour in 1745 beside the eastern boundary of their estate as a windbreak. When the Battle at Culloden started, which is the last battle of the Jacobite Rising, Robert Nairne left to join the group. But he was unlucky for Robert Nairne died in the battle. Since the death of his husband, his wife just permitted the trees in the hedge to grow. In other words, she just let the tree to 'reach up to heaven' as a fond remembrance to her husband.

The second story says that Meikleour Hedge was planted by the owner together with his son. When war broke out, his son was one of those who went to fight. The father vowed to cut the hedge only after the return of his son from the war. However, his son never came back. The war took the son's life and because of his vow, the father just let the hedge to grow.

The third story declares that it was planted by men who were ordered to battle in the Jacobite Rebellion. Sad to say, no one was ever able to return as all have died in the battle. As a mark of respect to these men, the trees were permitted to grow.

For someone who had been there, the story does not matter much. Just the single line of tall trees that goes up to 30 meters over a length of ½ kilometers is an imposing and extraordinary sight. It is indeed a significant thing to see if you plan to travel in Scotland.

Meikleour Hedge had become a living milestone or historical sight. It is predominantly eye-catching and gorgeous. If you happen to be there in spring, the young leaves replicate the light while if you will be there in autumn, you will see the trees in russet and gold. Nevertheless, the complete size of Meikleour Hedge is an exciting and imposing sight to see anytime of the year.

Yes, we'll cut it! But only as a special project becasue it's in Scotland. But, we'd be happy to come round and give you a good hedge trimming in London.

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