Scotland’s rainforest news highlights of 2024
Credit John MacPherson
2024 was a significant year for Scotland’s rainforest, as restoration projects got off the ground, habitat work began, and new species were discovered! Here are just a few of the highlights to remember as we get set for what’s likely to be another busy year…
Scottish Forestry published a new strategic approach for Scotland’s rainforest, following extensive consultation and input from the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest and its partners.
Woodland Trust Scotland succeeded in getting the first trees in the ground to buffer and protect ancient pinewood at Gleann Shìldeag.
And celebrated getting their community, private landowner, Scottish government and eNGO landscape-scale partnership over the line at Arkaig.
The Trust’s UK Tree of the Year was also awarded to a rainforest oak tree in a public vote.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpvzn3vxlxno
Argyll Countryside Trust secured £935,438 from the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, to embark on the clearance of rhododendron in the Tayvallich area of Knapdale.
And made global headlines with the discovery of a rare ‘zombie spider’ fungus through the West Cowal Habitat Restoration Project.
A pilot project called Forgotten Woodlands was set up by NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland, and Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (the national advisory partnership for Gaelic place-names) to map all Scottish place-names with the potential to reveal their historical woodland coverage.
https://www.nature.scot/scotlands-woodland-heritage-mapped-future
Forestry and Land Scotland also exceeded its rainforest restoration target for 2023/2024 by 141%, with work including rhododendron removal, restoring Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites, and deer management.
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/news-releases/rainforest-restoration-boost
They also completed a £300k biodiversity project at Glenfinnan with Network Rail.
RSPB Scotland released initial findings of a report estimating the socio-economic impact of support from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund (NRF), which is managed by NatureScot, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
And recruited a full team for their Saving Morvern’s Rainforest project, thanks to £606,821 from the NRF, and additional funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation. This allows rhododendron removal to get underway across the peninsula.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRMSmx1bw5k
Rainforest-linked projects also appeared in several categories at The RSPB’s Nature of Scotland Awards, with The Common Ground Forum winning the Innovation Award.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/nature-of-scotland-awards/winners-and-shortlist
Benmore Botanic Garden launched a new Moss Trail to help everyone find out more about brilliant bryophytes.
https://savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk/blog/benmore-botanic-gardens-new-moss-trail
And finally, a Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh project offered a ray of hope for rare wych elms in Assynt.
https://www.rbge.org.uk/news/articles/next-gen-elms-allies-of-the-rainforest/
Keep up to date with all the news about Scotland’s rainforest, here: https://savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk/news2025
