Hunt on for Scotland's finest woods

Businesses working in the forestry sector are being urged to find out if their woodland is one of the best by entering the 2016 Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards.

Now open for applications, the Awards are an annual recognition and celebration of those who use, promote, own or manage Scotland's woods and forests to deliver economic, environmental and social benefits.

Angela Douglas Executive Director of Scotland's Finest Woods, said, “We, at Scotland’s Finest Woods, want to recognise the very best of Scotland woods, their management and all they can offer.

“The forestry industry in this county boasts some of the highest standards of silvicultural practice to be found anywhere. It is great that the woodland owners, managers and businesses who strive to grow high quality timber and to create new native woodland have a way to gain recognition for being the very best.

“We thrive on finding and celebrating the best examples of all the hard work that goes on, often away from public gaze and often over many years, to develop Scottish forestry and I am delighted that those involved have the opportunity to become a winner of a Finest Woods Award.


“With the applications round for 2016 just having opened - and nearly £7,000 of prize money to be won - I encourage anyone with an interest to enter their woodland project today and be part of it!"

The 2015 Awards received entries from all across Scotland – from the western Isles to Sutherland to Knoydart into the heart of Glasgow and right down to the Scottish Borders. There are four category awards – featuring seven competitions – including awards for schools and for community woodlands.

The Quality Timber Awards focuses on growing quality timber and has three competitions - newly-planted commercial woods; a single-stands or compartment or small wood; or whole estates/large multi-purpose forests. Three magnificent trophies and £3,000 of prize money have to be won. The New Native Woods Award is rewarded with the unique Woodland Trust Scotland Trophy and £1,000 of prize money.

Those active in the forest industry are invited to apply by Christmas before getting too busy with planting programmes. However, entries are accepted up to 31st March 2016. Any entries after 31 March 2016 will not be considered.