THE WOODLAND TRUST All in a naturally Y deserving cause
Gifts in Wills to this conservation charity are helping it protect ancient forests, creating safe havens for wildlife and giving visitors magical experiences, writes Sandra Dick
In the breathtaking north- west Highlands, Ben Shieldaig rises from the shores of Loch Torridon. Its 3,800 acres contain two different types of ancient woodland, survivors from when the west coast of Scotland was one giant rainforest. It’s where white- tailed eagles soar, mountain hares leap and otters play.
Thanks to a generous gift left to the Woodland Trust, support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and individual donations, this precious landscape is on the cusp of an incredible revival.
Having bought its very first mountain, the Woodland Trust is now embarking on a 20- year restoration plan to repair the landscape and create new havens for wildlife, plants and flowers.
At the heart of the plans for Ben Shieldaig are the two dramatically different ancient woods.
One, a patch of ancient native birchwood, drips with mosses, layers of liverworts and lush lichens. The other is a stretch of Caledonian pinewood which can be dated back to the end of the last Ice Age – it is one of the most westerly remnants of the ancient Caledonian pinewoods in Scotland.
Both Sites of Special Scientific Interest ( SSSI), they support some of the world’s rarest and oldest plants, many of which appeared long before the dinosaurs.
Once the project is complete, the unique landscape will be a living tribute to the Trust’s supporters, including those whose gifts left in Wills provide about one- third of all its funds.
But Ben Shieldaig is just one site being revived thanks to the generosity of Woodland Trust supporters. At almost 1,730 acres, the beautiful Ledmore and Migdale Woods near the village of Spinningdale in eastern Sutherland is one of the largest sites owned by the Trust, and boasts three SSSIS.
A magical place to visit, in October last year the Woodland Trust partnered with conservation charity Trees for Life and relocated 20 red squirrels from populations in Moray and Inverness to these woods.
Another success story is Loch Arkaig Pine Forest near Spean Bridge, where the much- watched pair of ospreys, Louis and Aila, provided a wonderful distraction for the public stuck at home in lockdown earlier this year. Many viewers tuned into the live camera feed to see the fascinating birds raise three energetic chicks.
The forest covers 2,500 acres, with freshwater lochs on the edge of mountains and moorland.
It is one of the UK’S last remaining fragments of native Caledonian pinewood, and is home to pine martens, badgers, red deer, red squirrels and even wild boar. There are hopes that it can become a haven for Scottish wildcats too.
“Our work standing up for trees and woods just wouldn’t be possible without gifts in Wills,” explains Vicky Furnival, the Woodland Trust’s gifts in wills manager.
“Legacy gifts of all sizes can make such a difference, enabling the Trust to plant more trees to help fight climate change, and protect irreplaceable ancient woodland, which now covers only two per cent of the UK and is home to many threatened species.
“Recent events have highlighted to many people the value of being able to connect to nature and our impact on it.
“Leaving the Trust a gift in your Will helps us create, protect and restore woodland across the UK, providing wonderful places for people to enjoy and invaluable homes for wildlife.”
Recent events have highlighted to many people the value of being able to connect to nature and our impact on it