Four Dumfries and Galloway projects scooped top accolades in Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards.
The competition is an annual celebration of excellence in forests, woods and woodland education.
The Cormilligan new commercial planting site in Upper Nithsdale was the winner of the Dulverton Flagon.
This is a prestigious accolade only occasionally awarded when judges are especially impressed by an entry in the Quality Timber Award category. It was last presented in 2016.
The award was presented to Tilhill and Gresham House PLC for “an excellent example of modern Scottish forestry, delivering multiple objectives, focusing on quality timber and climate change mitigation”. Johnston Nursery in Kirkcudbright was honoured with Scottish Forestry’s Acorn Trophy for early years settings which instil a love of trees and woodlands in young children.
It was described by judges as “a superb example of what can be done by the nursery community and someone with a vision.”
The nursery bought a small patch of nearby woodland and the children, with adult help, have made it their own.
Through the children’s committee, they have instigated a dog poo campaign, built a tunnel and a castle and planted trees. Judges said: “The repurposing of wood products is ingenious, aided by input from grandparents and parents.”
Another success for the region was enjoyed by Michael and Shirley Clarke of Williamwood near Lockerbie, joint winner of the Farm Woodland Award.
Judges said it was “striving to improve woodland habitats in complete fusion with food production and taking these mission statements to the public via their holiday accommodation”.
They added: “The woodlands create a discussion point with visitors to talk about farming and food production.
“A wind that hails from the Solway Firth gathers a bit of momentum but the woods and hedges of Williamwood allow stock to graze unhindered and benefit unquestionably from them. Specific fields are used for keeping stock out longer with shelter and shade, grass growth has an extended growing season with improved herd health.
The Small Community Woodland Group winner and overall Community Woodland Award winner of the Tim Stead Trophy was Taliesin Community Woodland Trust, near Castle Douglas.
Judges said that the trust, which owns and manages Taliesin, had created “a special site that encourages and enables local people to come together out of doors in a welcoming environment” and is a “haven for biodiversity”.
They added: “Hand in hand with the site management for biodiversity has been the development of crafted timber buildings and a good path to make the site accessible and practical for activities ranging from education to crafts to celebrations. It is particularly notable that, even with all the hard work that goes with creating and maintaining the site and facilities, the people managing Taliesin are still having fun.”
Angela Douglas, executive director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “Dumfries and Galloway is well-known for its commercial forestry but its success in this year’s awards with four winners demonstrates the sheer variety of its woodland excellence.
“Congratulations to all the winners.”
Environment minister Màiri McAllan presented the awards to the winners at the Royal Highland Show.
She said: “I’d like to congratulate all the winners who are keeping Scotland’s woodlands the finest they can be.”
