Off-cuts: Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards (FWN37: Autumn 2021)

A very successful and slick Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards was held in September this year, celebrating the achievements and contributions of some of the finest woods in Scotland.

In the year of COP26 it was decided there would also be a one-off Climate Change Champion award. As usual there were many high quality applications which the judges had a hard time separating to identify winners.

The winners were:

Climate Change Champion Award:
Andrew and Lynne Sinclair, Balbeg Estate’s Bennan Hill, Straiton, Ayrshire

Farm Woodland Award:
Wendy Steel and Anne Taylor, North Tillydaff, Midmar, Aberdeenshire

Farm Woodland Award (Young People):
James and Nikki Yoxall, Howiemill, Huntly, Aberdeenshire

Small Community Woodland Group:
Laide and Aultbea Community Woodland,
Laide, Ross-shire

New Native Woods:
Anders Holch Povlsen and Wildland Ltd, Killiehuntly, Woodland, Cairngorms

New Commercial Woods:
Mrs J C Hands, Larriston Forest, Newcastleton, Scottish Borders

Single Stand of Trees, compartment of small wood:
Aylsa Leslie, Auchintender, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire

Whole Forest or Estate:
Andrew and Lynne Sinclair, Balbeg Estate, Straiton, Ayrshire

Schools Award:
Pitlochry High School, Perthshire

Early Years Award:
Perth Outdoor Playgroup, Perth

All being well Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards will be held next year back at the Royal Highland Show. Visit the SFWA website to find out when the application window opens for the 2022 awards.

This article has been published in the Autumn 2021 edition of the Farm Woodland News.  Download a copy to access all articles.  Subscribe to receive newly published editions via email by using the form here.