Latest news with #AssyntFoundation
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Thousands of acres of new native woods planned for Highlands community estate
Foundation hopes to improve landscape for nature and generate funding for the local community Sign up to our Scotsman Rural News - A weekly of the Hay's Way tour of Scotland emailed direct to you. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Thousands of acres of new native woodland are to be created on a vast Highlands estate under a scheme to boost nature and support the community. The Assynt Foundation has partnered with Woodland Trust Scotland to deliver nature regeneration across its Glencanisp and Drumrunie estates in the north-west Highlands of Scotland, protecting, restoring and expanding woodlands including rare Atlantic rainforest, along with other habitats. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The foundation, a registered charity which bought the estates in a £2.9 million community buyout in 2005, hopes to improve the condition of the landscape for nature and generate funding to benefit the local community. Northern Lights over Suilven | Contributed The 30-year South Assynt collaboration project aims to create 2,000 to 2,500 acres of new native woodland in the first five to 10 years of the scheme, among a wider mosaic of trees, open moorland and mountains. Other habitats such as peatlands and river areas will also be improved over the 30 years, and 500 to 1,000 acres of existing ancient woodlands, including remnants of Scotland's once widespread temperate rainforest, will be restored and expanded. Woodland creation will focus on natural regeneration where possible, with potential for deer fencing to prevent grazing of young saplings, or naturalistic planting. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The programme is being funded by insurance giant Aviva, as part of a £10 million donation to the Woodland Trust for nature restoration work across the UK. Woodland Trust Scotland will register carbon credits from the woodland creation to generate income which it will share with the foundation, which is expected to receive £2 million to £2.5 million subject to tree growth. Assynt Foundation trustee Dorothy Griffin said: 'The collaboration with the Woodland Trust will help us make the land more resilient, store more carbon, support biodiversity and strengthen the connection between people and land for generations to come.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Suilven from the Clachtoll Road | Contributed Simon Jeffreys, Assynt Foundation trustee, company secretary and treasurer, said the scheme had two aims for the community organisation: 'Firstly, to improve the condition of the estates in terms of nature, and secondly that we have a 'war chest', which we've never had before, and we can use that for improvements for social benefits to local members and residents.' Bog, mountain, moorland and water He said the remote estates cover a vast 44,000 acres, or 18,000 hectares, of 'bog, mountain, moorland and water', including mountains such as Suilven, Canisp, Cul Mor and Cul Beag. But he said: 'We had a great deal of land, but no money to do anything to it and a complete lack of expertise in terms of nature conservation and improvement.' So the foundation has teamed up with Woodland Trust Scotland, which it had already collaborated with for some native woodland planting, for the new venture, to deliver a boost to nature and generate income for the community of around 2,000 residents living around the uninhabited estates. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As a first step, surveying of the estates will assess what habitats are there, what state they are in and what can be done to improve them, and then the Woodland Trust and the Assynt Foundation will work together to agree plans for the landscape. The result aims to be a resilient landscape that boosts wildlife and reconnects people to the land, the project's backers said. Assynt landscape | Contributed Woodland Trust Scotland director Alastair Seaman said: 'We're excited to be pioneering a new approach that combines community landownership, a company that's taking its de-carbonising responsibilities seriously and the expertise of the Woodland Trust. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our vision is a landscape restored and a community empowered. 'This is a new approach – so we'll be learning as we go and sharing what we learn with others who may want to explore similar approaches.' Aviva's chief sustainability officer Claudine Blamey said: 'Aviva and the Woodland Trust are working together to mitigate climate change and protect and restore nature. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The state of our climate and of nature are crucial to the long-term sustainability of our economies and societies.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Thousands of acres of new native woods planned for Highlands community estate
Thousands of acres of new native woodland are to be created on a vast Highlands estate under a scheme to boost nature and support the community. The Assynt Foundation has partnered with Woodland Trust Scotland to deliver nature regeneration across its Glencanisp and Drumrunie estates in the north-west Highlands of Scotland, protecting, restoring and expanding woodlands including rare Atlantic rainforest, along with other habitats. The foundation, a registered charity which bought the estates in a £2.9 million community buyout in 2005, hopes to improve the condition of the landscape for nature and generate funding to benefit the local community. The 30-year South Assynt collaboration project aims to create 2,000 to 2,500 acres of new native woodland in the first five to 10 years of the scheme, among a wider mosaic of trees, open moorland and mountains. Other habitats such as peatlands and river areas will also be improved over the 30 years, and 500 to 1,000 acres of existing ancient woodlands, including remnants of Scotland's once widespread temperate rainforest, will be restored and expanded. Woodland creation will focus on natural regeneration where possible, with potential for deer fencing to prevent grazing of young saplings, or naturalistic planting. The programme is being funded by insurance giant Aviva, as part of a £10 million donation to the Woodland Trust for nature restoration work across the UK. Woodland Trust Scotland will register carbon credits from the woodland creation to generate income which it will share with the foundation, which is expected to receive £2 million to £2.5 million subject to tree growth. Assynt Foundation trustee Dorothy Griffin said: 'The collaboration with the Woodland Trust will help us make the land more resilient, store more carbon, support biodiversity and strengthen the connection between people and land for generations to come.' Simon Jeffreys, Assynt Foundation trustee, company secretary and treasurer, said the scheme had two aims for the community organisation: 'Firstly, to improve the condition of the estates in terms of nature, and secondly that we have a 'war chest', which we've never had before, and we can use that for improvements for social benefits to local members and residents.' He said the remote estates cover a vast 44,000 acres, or 18,000 hectares, of 'bog, mountain, moorland and water', including mountains such as Suilven, Canisp, Cul Mor and Cul Beag. But he said: 'We had a great deal of land, but no money to do anything to it and a complete lack of expertise in terms of nature conservation and improvement.' So the foundation has teamed up with Woodland Trust Scotland, which it had already collaborated with for some native woodland planting, for the new venture, to deliver a boost to nature and generate income for the community of around 2,000 residents living around the uninhabited estates. As a first step, surveying of the estates will assess what habitats are there, what state they are in and what can be done to improve them, and then the Woodland Trust and the Assynt Foundation will work together to agree plans for the landscape. The result aims to be a resilient landscape that boosts wildlife and reconnects people to the land, the project's backers said. Woodland Trust Scotland director Alastair Seaman said: 'We're excited to be pioneering a new approach that combines community landownership, a company that's taking its de-carbonising responsibilities seriously and the expertise of the Woodland Trust. 'Our vision is a landscape restored and a community empowered. 'This is a new approach – so we'll be learning as we go and sharing what we learn with others who may want to explore similar approaches.' Aviva's chief sustainability officer Claudine Blamey said: 'Aviva and the Woodland Trust are working together to mitigate climate change and protect and restore nature. 'The state of our climate and of nature are crucial to the long-term sustainability of our economies and societies. 'We are delighted to be able to support the South Assynt Collaboration Project to restore the landscape in the north-west Highlands of Scotland, and thereby helping the UK become more climate-ready.'
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thousands of acres of new native woods planned for Highlands community estate
Thousands of acres of new native woodland are to be created on a vast Highlands estate under a scheme to boost nature and support the community. The Assynt Foundation has partnered with Woodland Trust Scotland to deliver nature regeneration across its Glencanisp and Drumrunie estates in the north-west Highlands of Scotland, protecting, restoring and expanding woodlands including rare Atlantic rainforest, along with other habitats. The foundation, a registered charity which bought the estates in a £2.9 million community buyout in 2005, hopes to improve the condition of the landscape for nature and generate funding to benefit the local community. The 30-year South Assynt collaboration project aims to create 2,000 to 2,500 acres of new native woodland in the first five to 10 years of the scheme, among a wider mosaic of trees, open moorland and mountains. Other habitats such as peatlands and river areas will also be improved over the 30 years, and 500 to 1,000 acres of existing ancient woodlands, including remnants of Scotland's once widespread temperate rainforest, will be restored and expanded. Woodland creation will focus on natural regeneration where possible, with potential for deer fencing to prevent grazing of young saplings, or naturalistic planting. The programme is being funded by insurance giant Aviva, as part of a £10 million donation to the Woodland Trust for nature restoration work across the UK. Woodland Trust Scotland will register carbon credits from the woodland creation to generate income which it will share with the foundation, which is expected to receive £2 million to £2.5 million subject to tree growth. Assynt Foundation trustee Dorothy Griffin said: 'The collaboration with the Woodland Trust will help us make the land more resilient, store more carbon, support biodiversity and strengthen the connection between people and land for generations to come.' Simon Jeffreys, Assynt Foundation trustee, company secretary and treasurer, said the scheme had two aims for the community organisation: 'Firstly, to improve the condition of the estates in terms of nature, and secondly that we have a 'war chest', which we've never had before, and we can use that for improvements for social benefits to local members and residents.' He said the remote estates cover a vast 44,000 acres, or 18,000 hectares, of 'bog, mountain, moorland and water', including mountains such as Suilven, Canisp, Cul Mor and Cul Beag. But he said: 'We had a great deal of land, but no money to do anything to it and a complete lack of expertise in terms of nature conservation and improvement.' So the foundation has teamed up with Woodland Trust Scotland, which it had already collaborated with for some native woodland planting, for the new venture, to deliver a boost to nature and generate income for the community of around 2,000 residents living around the uninhabited estates. As a first step, surveying of the estates will assess what habitats are there, what state they are in and what can be done to improve them, and then the Woodland Trust and the Assynt Foundation will work together to agree plans for the landscape. The result aims to be a resilient landscape that boosts wildlife and reconnects people to the land, the project's backers said. Woodland Trust Scotland director Alastair Seaman said: 'We're excited to be pioneering a new approach that combines community landownership, a company that's taking its de-carbonising responsibilities seriously and the expertise of the Woodland Trust. 'Our vision is a landscape restored and a community empowered. 'This is a new approach – so we'll be learning as we go and sharing what we learn with others who may want to explore similar approaches.' Aviva's chief sustainability officer Claudine Blamey said: 'Aviva and the Woodland Trust are working together to mitigate climate change and protect and restore nature. 'The state of our climate and of nature are crucial to the long-term sustainability of our economies and societies. 'We are delighted to be able to support the South Assynt Collaboration Project to restore the landscape in the north-west Highlands of Scotland, and thereby helping the UK become more climate-ready.'
The Herald Scotland
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New unit aims to build partnerships between communities and developers
A new unit is being launched aimed at building partnerships between landowners, communities and developers involved in natural capital projects. The Natural Capital Community Partnerships (NCCP) project aims to establish fair and practical examples of projects where communities, developers and landowners work together to share in the benefits of natural capital investment. The new unit will be led by Dr Sally Reynolds, who has significant experience working in community development and of 'walking the tightrope' between different interests in the land use sector. 'We want to promote understanding and cooperation between different parties', said Dr Reynolds. 'We want to encourage open conversation and early dialogue between communities, landowners and developers.' Dr Reynolds highlighted that community engagement is crucial. She added: 'Well-managed peatland or wetland restoration or woodland development projects can support both environmental restoration and community development and resilience. It can create local jobs, boost local economies and sustain livelihoods - maximising the benefits for communities.' READ MORE: New report highlights how crofting helps keep Eigg's cultural traditions alive Call for delay to controversial sale of Skye castle and estate New community-led homes development on Colonsay will be 'transformational' There are already a number of successful, collaborative projects across Scotland, such as the community-owned Assynt Foundation in Sutherland, which has a major forest development project with Woodland Trust Scotland. In Dumfries and Galloway, Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company has a partnership with Upper Urr Environmental Trust which has allowed them to develop the area for community use including the installation of a path network, benches and a range of community events. Dr Reynolds said: 'This is a new and unique project doing a lot of work on-the-ground. It's a key ambition that Scotland's land should benefit more of Scotland's people. With good conversations at an early stage there is greater understanding and a much greater chance of agreements that suit everyone.' 'As far as possible, the community, landowners and developers should be able to form agreements that are meaningful and beneficial for all parties.' The Natural Capital Community Partnerships will have a team of four staff and will work within Community Land Scotland and in partnership with the Scottish Land Commission. The Community Land Scotland team will work as part of a network of advisers across Scotland including the newly appointed Community Benefits from Nature Adviser employed by the Scottish Land Commission in partnership with the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Emma Cooper, Head of Land Rights and Responsibilities at the Scottish Land Commission, said: 'This project is a really important step in making sure natural capital investment delivers for communities as well as for nature. 'We're pleased to be working alongside Community Land Scotland, including through our new Community Benefits from Nature Adviser, to support fair and practical approaches in communities across Scotland. 'Our land is a finite resource that needs to meet many different needs. By helping communities, landowners and developers work together from the outset, this initiative can turn potential tensions into lasting, shared benefits.' The project is funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Foundation Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Forestry and others. Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) said: 'As Scotland's Natural Capital Innovation Zone we continue to take a forward-thinking approach in the South of Scotland to creating a wellbeing economy based on our natural capital assets. 'Community Wealth Building is one of our key priorities, so we are delighted to be working with Community Land Scotland and partners in delivering this groundbreaking national project.'
BBC News
19-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Community-owned Assynt Foundation secures new partnerships
A community-owned north west Highland estate which almost went bust six years ago says it has secured much-needed new Assynt Foundation bought Glencanisp and Drumrunie estates - a total of 44,000 acres (17,806 hectares) - 20 years in more recent years it lost money through its running of Glencanisp Lodge, a former Victorian hunting lodge near Lochinver, as holiday accommodation. It has been shut since late foundation has now entered into a collaboration with Original Hotels to restore and reopen the lodge. Under a separate partnership, it is working with the Woodland Trust on a new landscape management plan for the whole 44,000 includes regenerating native Woodland Trust partnership will be funded from both public and private sources. After fears of being on the verge of bankruptcy Assynt Foundation chairman Lewis MacAskill said there was now hope for the estate's financial added: "The foundation ran Glencanisp Lodge as a B&B and as self-catering accommodation for a number of years, and while a number of locals were employed and the lodge was kept busy, the foundation lacked the necessary hospitality expertise and this venture lost money over a sustained period of time."By late 2019, it became apparent that insolvency was looming. "We decided the safest course action was to close the lodge in November 2019. The lodge has remained closed since then."Original Hotels already runs four hotels in the Highlands, and a number of others across the will lead the refurbishment of the 14-bedroom Glencanisp MacAskill said: "When the community groups don't have the expertise, partnerships make sense."In 2005, the Assynt Foundation completed its purchase from the millionaire Vestey family for about £4m.
