£6 Million Lottery Grant Secured to Restore Scotland's Rare Atlantic Rainforest
A significant grant of nearly £6 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been secured for a project aiming to restore Scotland's rare Atlantic rainforests on the west coast.
A five-year initiative called "Our Rainforest Futures," dedicated to restoring Scotland's rare Atlantic rainforests, has received a substantial grant of nearly £6 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This project will establish three new hubs in Torridon, Morvern, and mid-Argyll, offering training and employment opportunities in conservation work to local communities.
Highlights
- The project is a five-year endeavor focused on restoring Scotland's unique Atlantic rainforests.
- Three hubs will be set up in Torridon, Morvern, and mid-Argyll to provide training in habitat restoration and invasive species removal.
- The initiative aims to combat threats to the forests, including overgrazing by deer, invasive plant species, and diseases.
- Scotland's Atlantic rainforests are home to hundreds of species, including glow worms, slime moulds, and rare lichens.
- The project is expected to create over 20 jobs and 15 trainee positions.
Details
Approximately 30,351 hectares (75,000 acres) of rain-soaked woodlands on Scotland's west coast are designated as Atlantic rainforest due to their rare oceanic plant life. These forests are vital for biodiversity but face significant threats from overgrazing by deer and livestock, invasive plant species, and diseases.
The "Our Rainforest Futures" project is part of the Alliance for Scotland's Rainforest, led by the Woodland Trust Scotland. Collaborating organizations include Argyll Countryside Trust, Community Woodlands Association, Plantlife, RSPB Scotland, and SRUC. Local people will receive training and work opportunities in areas such as habitat restoration, deer management, and the removal of invasive species.
Why it matters
Caroline Clark, Scotland director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, highlighted that Scotland's rainforest is internationally significant yet largely unknown. She noted that a 2025 survey found fewer than one in three people were even aware of its existence. This major investment, funded by National Lottery players, acknowledges the close link between the future of the rainforest and the future of many west coast communities, asserting that with proper support, both can thrive.