A TOTAL of £5 million has been announced by the Scottish Government to restore Scotland’s rare rainforests and tackle the biodiversity crisis.
Since 2023, £5 million has already been invested in restoring Scotland’s rainforest, and the additional £5 million announced by the Government will support ongoing restoration efforts, as it was included in the draft Budget for 2025/26.
Rainforests also known as Atlantic woodland or Celtic rainforests are as important as the tropical forest for the planet. However, this habitat is becoming increasingly rare with only 30,000 hectares left on Scotland’s land.
“Scotland is home to its own temperate rainforest boasting a variety of rare species and habitats,” said Mairi Gougeon, Rural Affairs Secretary during a visit to Sallochy Forest.
“We are already delivering work to protect and expand this precious environment and this additional funding of £5 million will help us to go further faster.”
The Scottish rainforest is composed of ash, birch, hazel, oak and hazel trees.
NatureScot explained that the rainforest has disappeared due to heavy grazing and the spread of invasive species like rhododendron ponticum, along with the establishment of exotic conifer plantations.
At loch Arkaig, west of the Great Glen, the focus is on regenerating and reconnecting ancient Caledonian pine forests and other remaining rainforest remnants.
The Government is also working with Forestry Land Scotland, Argyll Countryside Trust, and the Woodland Trust to restore 2000 hectares in the Knapdale priority rainforest area.
“Protecting our rainforests is essential to tackling our biodiversity crisis but is also an important step in helping Scotland on its journey to net zero by 2045,” said Gougeon.
“Rainforest restoration needs to be done at a landscape scale, in partnership with organisations, landowners and land managers, and this funding will help to develop and deliver a range of collaborative projects.”
