Scottish island trust launches fundraiser after Storm Eowyn caused severe damage

A HERITAGE trust on a Scottish island has launched a crowdfunder after experiencing severe damage during Storm Eowyn.

The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust said more than 100 trees at been damaged at the community-owned Achamore Gardens as Storm Eowyn battered the country on January 24.

One of the trees which was damaged was the UK champion Dahurian Larch tree (pictured below) – the largest tree of its species in the UK – which used to stand tall on the Main Drive lawns.

The UK champion Dahurian Larch tree, via the trust's gofundme page (Image: Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust) A fundraiser has since been launched, with the group hoping to raise a total of £60,000 to repair the damage.

Achamore Gardens was developed in the mid-20th century by Sir James Horlick and is now owned by the community of Gigha.

The trust said “severe and widespread damage” had impacted all 54 acres of the site, including some of the original specimens planted by Horlick.

The site is usually open all year round for visitors but has had close because of the impact of the storm – resulting in a loss of income.

Unfortunately, Achamore Gardens has suffered a grievous blow at the hand of storm Éowyn and the damage is severe and widespread across the whole site. However, we are already planning the road to recovery. Please help share the word 💚 https://t.co/eKAQ7enSqG

— Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust (@isleofgigha) January 31, 2025

In a statement on the crowdfunder page, the trust wrote: “Whilst we are heart-sore at the damage the storm inflicted and devastated to see our beloved garden in such a mess, the team are doing what they do best; chins up, noses down, they are hard at work tackling what they can.

(Image: Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust) (Image: Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust) “The garden is alive with the buzz of chainsaws and the crackle of bonfires, but the reality is that the damage inflicted is far beyond our wee team’s ability to cope with.

“We need the assistance of specialist contractors and machinery, and we need your help to raise the considerable costs involved.”

The trust started restoration work to “breathe new life” into the gardens almost five years ago, but the damage from the storm has caused a “huge step back”.

A statement from the trust continued: “We have been blown away by the tremendous support being offered from Achamore and Gigha’s friends and supporters.

(Image: Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust) “We know how important the Gardens are to both our community and to those who love to visit, so please help us if you can.

“All of your donations will go towards helping the Gardens recover from the recent storm, funding tree surgeons and other specialists, hiring machinery, restoring pathways, replanting areas that have been damaged, and, most importantly of all, allowing us to reopen the garden and welcome you and all of our visitors back.”

Click here to donate to the fundraiser.