TRUST’S HOPES FOR FOREST PURCHASE

Woodland Trust Scotland and Arkaig Community Forest have been given a once-in-alifetime opportunity to buy 2,500 acres of ancient Caledonian pinewood. Loch Arkaig Pine Forest is being sold by the Forestry Commission as part of the National Forest and Scheme, which allows community groups to buy land to provide value to the public. The forest is one of the largest remaining single fragments of this important habitat, and has suffered from centuries of felling, non-native planting and grazing. Despite this, the forest is still home to important species, such as breeding Ospreys, White-tailed Eagles, Crested Tits and Pine Martens, as well as (possibly) Scottish Wildcats and Scottish Crossbills. If the purchase is successful, the Arkaig Community Forest team hope to work with Woodland Trust Scotland to carefully restore the forest, promoting sustainable forestry and safeguarding the important wildlife of the area. But first, they need to raise the necessary money; £500,000 to be precise. You can find out more or make a donation at woodlandtrust.org.uk/pineforest

£4.5 million; the total estimated cost of restoration work at Loch Arkaig Forest