Land & Habitats Consultancy

Professional Advice for Resilient Landscapes

Land & Habitats Consultancy brings together local knowledge, professional advice, specialist site management and science.

Our approach is holistic and strategic.

We work with corporate businesses, landowners and managers, contractors, consultants, agencies, NGO’s, Government and community groups, to form strong and productive working partnerships across Scotland.

Our work enhances and restores the interconnected entities of land, water and natural habitats. We aim to create landscapes and enhance habitats, so they are better placed to face the challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change impacts.

Where there are habitats, wildlife will find them.

Land & Habitats' Core Team

Land and Habitats Ltd was co-founded by Andrew and Ellen McBride with an emphasis on Scotland’s natural habitats. The consultancy provides ecological services covering habitat and species management, scientific research and habitat restoration with the aim of creating landscapes for the future.
Land and Habitats Ltd are able to bring together local knowledge, professional experience, and science. We collaborate with a diverse range of organisations and clients, including commercial business, investment trusts, research bodies, local councils, charities, other consultancies and NGOs.

Andrew McBride

A Chartered Environmentalist and full member of the CIEEM, Andrew has over 30 years’ ecological experience and specialist knowledge of wetlands and peatlands. Andrew established the Scottish Government-funded Peatland ACTION programme, before returning to private consultancy. He provides ecological and project management advice across Scotland to a range of landowners. Whilst working for NatureScot, Andrew advised on windfarms, roads infrastructure and agri-environment schemes and contributed to the development of Scotland’s National Peatland Strategy. He also has experience of lowland wetlands, woodland, juniper and meadow management.

Ellen McBride

Land and Habitats Ltd manager and consultant, with 12 years’ combined experience of managing two environmental consultancies: ‘McBride Habitats’ and ‘Land and Habitats Ltd’. Ellen studied Industrial Design (Textiles) at Heriot Watt University, with a focus on combining creative and technical skills for client briefs. She also studied commercial horticulture and botany at Pershore College of Horticulture. Ellen has written educational publications, produced feasibility reports, edited and proof-read consultancy reports and publications. She has worked as a project coordinator organising habitat management demonstrations and the ‘Living Garden’ at Scotland’s Garden Show (Ingliston).

Land & Habitats Services

Peatlands

Involved with the restoration of peatlands across Scotland since the 1990s.

Working with Suntory Global Sprits to create and develop the Peatland Water Sanctuary™ at sites across Scotland.

Whilst working for NatureScot, Andrew established the award-winning Peatland ACTION project, building a team of Project Officers across Scotland.

Wetlands, Fens and Basin Mires

Wetland management advice, including surveys and monitoring.

For nine years, Andrew was NatureScot’s Wetland Advisor, providing policy and management advice and Chief Editor of the Fen Management Handbook.

'McBride Habitats' provided fifteen years of specialist site management at the Whitlaw Mosses SSSI and other sites in the Scottish Borders and West Lothian.

Businesses and Land Managers

Bringing together businesses and individuals who share complementary aims. Exploring the opportunities for projects that work for both people and the natural world.

Project Design and Development

Specialist site management, collaborating and working with a range of interests to enhance and restore natural habitats and provide opportunities for rural employment.

Habitat Restoration

Working to restore degraded sites by providing habitat management and restoration advice.

Project Management

Organising and engaging contractors.

Building productive and innovative working relationships.

Assessment and Quality Control

Surveys, assessments and monitoring to help land managers to optimise outcomes. We work with specialists to get the best results.

Supervision of Grant Schemes

Management services for a range of grant schemes, whether large or small, including those of a bespoke nature.

Andrew McBride's
Ecologial Experience

Chartered Environmentalist
Full Member of CIEEM

BSc Hons (Ecology), Agriculture, Forestry & Rural Economy - Edinburgh University

Over thirty years' experience of providing ecological advice, both in private consultancy and working for Scottish Natural Heritage.

An extensive project portfolio of projects across Scotland and the UK, covering habitat and species management, scientific research and habitat restoration.

Andrew has provided advice for windfarms, roads infrastructure, (including the Queensferry Crossing and Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) and agri-environment schemes.

The success of Suntory Global Spirits' Peatland Water Sanctuary™, Peatland ACTION and other projects, demonstrates Andrew and Ellen's collaborative ability to engage with staff, land managers, contractors, consultants, agencies, NGO’s, Government and community groups to form strong and productive working relationships.