Helping trees to take root on isles

A project is under way to bring back vast areas of native woodland to the Western Isles.

Deforestation has taken place for centuries across the Outer Hebrides with Vikings, climate change and crop expansion all partly to blame.

But The Hebridean Ark aims to revive the tree population and have 100,000 more native saplings around Harris and Lewis by 2020.

David Mackay, of Shawbost-based Horshader Community Development, has been leading the project.

He said: “We’re trying to bring back trees that have always been here, they’re part of the Hebrides.

“The genetics of these trees have a timeline going back 2,000 years on the islands – they’re hardy, like the people here.”