Two Stewartry intiatives scooped top accolades at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards presented at the Royal Highland Show.
Johnston Nursery in Kirkcudbright won Scottish Forestry’s Acorn Trophy for early years settings which instill 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 helpful grandparents and parents.”
Also honoured was the Taliesin Community Woodland, near Castle Douglas, which won the Small Community Woodland Group and overall Community Woodland Award, with the Tim Stead Trophy.
Judges said that South West Community Woodland 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.
“Even with all the hard work that goes with creating and maintaining the site and facilities, the people managing Taliesin are still having fun.”
The judges concluded: “In this, their 25th year, they are also a worthy winner of the Tim Stead Trophy for their stellar work in engaging people with this woodland site”. The awards were presented by Màiri McAllan, Minister for Environment and Land Reform.
Dumfries and Galloway won a total of four accolades at the “Tree Oscars”. The Cormilligan new commercial planting site in Upper Nithsdale received the Dulverton Flagon, a prestigious accolade only occasionally awarded when judges are especially impressed by an entry in the Quality Timber Award category.
And Williamwood, near Lockerbie, was joint winner of the Farm Woodland Award.
