Trees for Life have successfully protected Scotland’s oldest wild Scots Pine, aged 565 years, from disappearing forever in the Glen Loyne pinewood remnant. The charity’s Affric Highlands rewilding initiative has fenced the area to protect the trees from overgrazing by deer and allow the natural regeneration of the woodland.
James Rainey, Senior Ecologist at Trees for Life, said: “Glen Loyne’s wild pines and other Caledonian pinewoods are globally unique, and a special part of Scotland’s character and culture. Saving and restoring them offers a major opportunity for tackling the nature and climate crises.”
The Caledonian forest once covered much of the Highlands, but today only two percent remains. Trees for Life have now erected 1.5 kilometres of new fencing, and connected up, extended and repaired existing sections. The project was funded by the family of Harry Steven, who documented 35 wild pine populations in his book, ‘The Native Pinewoods of Scotland’.
As part of the 30-year community-focused Affric Highlands rewilding initiative, led by Trees for Life and Rewilding Europe, the area will be restored with woodland, peatland and riverside habitats. This will support re-peopling and nature-based economic opportunities.
James Rainey concluded: “Fencing is only a temporary fix, but for now it’s a vital way of giving these precious pinewoods a fighting chance of recovery until effective landscape-scale deer management can be properly established.”
Scotland’s oldest wild Scots Pine, aged 565 years, has been saved from disappearing forever thanks to Trees for Life’s Affric Highlands rewilding initiative. The charity has fenced the area to protect the trees from overgrazing by deer and allow the natural regeneration of the woodland. The project was funded by the family of Harry Steven, who documented 35 wild pine populations in ‘The Native Pinewoods of Scotland’. It is part of a 30-year community-focused initiative to restore woodland, peatland and riverside habitats, and to support re-peopling and nature-based economic opportunities.
