Appin Rainforest Regeneration
Credit John MacPherson
Appin is widely recognised as a leading example of rainforest restoration in Scotland. The woods are part of a mosaic of habitats that are free of invasive species, and a diverse range of native tree species is securing a future for the rainforest. This is delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for the people of Appin.
Appin is home to significant areas of Scotland’s rainforest remnants, including the Glen Creran Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which is threatened by invasive species and inappropriate grazing levels. Part of this SAC has already been included in an innovative community-based rhododendron control programme. This project, which is being developed by the Appin Community Development Trust (ACDT), will consolidate and expand upon this work.
ACDT is passionate about building community cohesion and resilience and meeting the challenges of being remote and rural. As a SCIO it is uniquely able to provide services and manage assets and infrastructure on behalf of the people who live and work in Appin. It is owned by its membership, with a leadership group of Trustees chosen by the membership and fully accountable to the membership.
ACDT’s mission is to help Appin be a vibrant, sustainable, resilient and inclusive community for all who live and work here. This is achieved through local consultation and group working to identify needs and opportunities, leading to the development of services and facilities as required by local people.
Given its remote location, Appin suffers from a lack of services and infrastructure when compared to more urban environments. ACDT’s earliest projects aimed at providing essential services enabling people to continue to live in their own homes and community, such as providing a community transport scheme for those who are no longer able to drive themselves.
ACDT is also developing projects to encourage and support younger working families to come and make Appin their home, providing new facilities and infrastructure for sports and recreational activities.
Project aims
The project is founded on the mission to restore Appin’s significant rainforest remnants. In the first instance this will aim to tackle the issue of invasive non-native species INNS. However, improved herbivore management will also have the potential to deliver rainforest protection and expansion.
The project will secure and build on the work that has started to control invasive rhododendron in Glen Creran, and this work has already been used as an exemplar of rainforest regeneration. The larger project aims to establish the first community council on mainland Scotland that is free of INNS.
ACDT secured full funding for a development phase INNS project (concluded in December 2024) from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund (managed by NatureScot), and Scottish Forestry. This has supported Native Woods Cooperative (NWC) and ACDT staff to engage with local land managers: to map INNS within the project area; to support a ‘rainforest apprentice’; and to hold a number of events to engage, educate and inform local people about the importance of Appin’s rainforest.
ACDT has also engaged with issues around deer management in Appin. This has included securing funding from NatureScot and Scottish Forestry to undertake a feasibility study for a community deer larder. ACDT has also been participating in the development of a local Deer Forum.
Credit John MacPherson
Project partners
The project involves ACDT as the lead partner in collaboration with local landholders, the local community, and Native Woods Cooperative.
NatureScot and Scottish Forestry are important funding partners.
