New partnership to restore ancient Celtic rainforest

In what is thought to be the first deal of its kind, the University of Edinburgh is to work with charitable organisation Kinloch Woodlands to rewild and grow fresh forest on the edge of existing woods under its management.  

The University of Edinburgh is seeking to become carbon-neutral by 2040, and the project will help it offset emissions by planting trees and restoring land. 

The agreement with Kinloch Woodlands forms part of this strategy, and will see the charity receive funding during the course of the rewilding project. 

Richard Munday, one of the trustees of Kinloch Woodlands (Image: Mark Hamblin) Kinloch Woodlands is a partner in the Northwoods Rewilding Network operated by the rewilding charity, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, who brokered the deal with the university. 

The agreement also ensures that a proportional financial benefit goes to this organisation to support nature recovery efforts its partner sites. 

The University plans to plant more than two million trees, restore peatland and regenerate approximately 5,600 hectares of land, of which 4,800 hectares is owned by partners across Scotland, as part of its push to net zero. 

Dave Gorman, Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh said: “We are really excited to be working with Kinloch Woodlands and SCOTLAND: The Big Picture on this rewilding project.  

“Investing in restoration projects such as this supports our critical ecosystems and by partnering with a community landowner, we are broadening the impact of our work to create real, long-lasting benefits for our communities.” 

Richard Munday, Convenor of the Kinloch Woodlands SCIO, added: "The community has owned the land at Kinloch since 2001, and working together, we have made significant progress in helping the native woodland recover and develop into a valuable local amenity. 

“The partnership with the University of Edinburgh allows us to advance to the next level, securing the long-term future of the woodlands for the Shieldaig community and the wider public, and creating new research opportunities whose benefit will be felt across Scotland. 

James Nairne, Northwoods Rewilding Network Lead at SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, said: "We are delighted to have brought together, for their mutual benefit, a leading Scottish educational institution focused on sustainability and a local group that is an exemplar of community-based native woodland recovery.  

“Creating more native woodland and driving community benefit are principles that are central to the Northwoods Rewilding Network's mission." 

This article originally appeared in our sister title, the Herald.