£6m grant boosts Scotland’s rare rainforest restoration

A £6 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will fund a five-year initiative aimed at restoring Scotland’s fragile Atlantic rainforest. The Our Rainforest Futures project will establish three community-focused hubs in Torridon, Morvern, and mid-Argyll to drive conservation efforts.

The initiative will provide training and employment opportunities centered on habitat restoration, deer population management, and the eradication of invasive plant species. These efforts are critical for preserving the region’s unique Atlantic rainforest, which spans around 75,000 acres of coastal woodlands.

The rainforest is distinguished by its rare oceanic plant life, including species like glow worms, slime moulds, and specialized lichens. However, these ecosystems face severe threats from overgrazing by deer and livestock, as well as the spread of invasive plants and disease.

The Torridon hub will engage communities in areas such as Kinlochewe, Shieldaig, and Gairloch, while Morvern’s efforts will extend to Lochaline and Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Mid-Argyll’s hub will involve locations like Crinan and Lochgilphead, ensuring broad regional participation.

Led by the Woodland Trust Scotland, the project brings together partners including Argyll Countryside Trust, Plantlife, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland. These organizations will collaborate to advance conservation goals and support local livelihoods.

Caroline Clark, director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund for Scotland, emphasized the rainforest’s global significance despite its low public awareness. She noted that fewer than one-third of people recognize its existence, highlighting the need for targeted investment. The funding, she said, will help sustain both the rainforest and the communities that depend on it.