Scotland's Finest Woods Awards for Ayrshire woodlands

At this year's Scotland's Finest Woods Awards, Scott and Hannah Farquhar picked up the Woodland Trust Scotland Trophy for New Native Woods for their Constablewood Estate, near Largs.

Meanwhile, the Climate Change Champion Trophy went to The Future Forest Company for Carston, in Drongan.

Constablewood Estate was transformed from a traditional sheep farm with planting which complements existing woodland.

Scott and Hannah Farquhar, Constablewood Estate (Image: Scotland's Finest Woods) The judges were impressed with the owners' enthusiasm for the project.

They added: “Hannah Farquhar accompanied the judges with the agent during the visit and displayed an impressive knowledge of the site and a willingness to learn from her agent.

“In short, a lovely woodland created by passionate people to improve their environment whilst taking advantage of the benefits it provides."

The judging panel were also impressed with the improvement to the livestock on the farm and 'future integration of woodland grazing'.

Carston, East Ayrshire (Image: Scotland's Finest Woods) After extensive public consultation on the 66-hectare site in East Ayrshire, the team behind Carston designed a new woodland and surrounding habitats that equally address climate change and biodiversity collapse while also contributing to local people and communities.

A diverse range of species were used to mitigate the main effects of future climate scenarios in Scotland, including an increased risk of drought, increased frequency of extreme weather events and a higher risk of pests and disease.

The objectives of the woodland are to balance carbon sequestration with creating a habitat that enhances biodiversity, while also ensuring an aesthetically pleasing woodland for local people to use for recreation and education.

A bumper year of entries saw excellence in all sectors, from community to forestry, conservation to farming and climate to schools. And each was showcased during a grand ceremony at the Scottish Parliament.

Local groups, farmers, foresters and large estates were all recognised at the national event, held by Scotland’s Finest Woods to coincide with National Tree Week.

Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2024 saw 11 trophies awarded in six categories – quality timber, farm woodland, new native woods, community woodlands, climate change champion, and schools and early years.

Presenting many of the awards, Mairi Gougeon MSP, cabinet secretary for rural affairs, said: “This year’s Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards is a fantastic way to celebrate the very best in forestry in Scotland and to pay tribute to the many people and organisations that devote so much time and effort into creating and caring for woodlands.

“The sheer variety of awards, including farming to communities and schools, to native and productive woodlands, really demonstrates the breadth and depth of forestry in Scotland.

“Congratulations everyone involved and especially the winners who have had their hard work recognised in this prestigious way.”