A school which has taken lessons on climate change out of the classroom and into the real world, and a project using trees to stop a notorious flooding problem are among the champions honoured at this year’s Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards.
When you add in a project to plant free nut and fruit trees in urban gardens where greenspaces are limited and the transformation of a Highland croft that has been in the same family for centuries, the excellence and breadth of projects from the winners makes it one of the best years ever.
Jean Nairn, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “This has been an exceptional year for Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards.
“From young foresters to crofters, commercial plantations to trees making our cities breathe, the work we have seen has been inspiring.
“Scotland’s woodlands and forests are growing stronger and better every year – it is great to be able to champion them and encourage more achievements in the future.”
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025 saw ten trophies awarded in seven categories – Quality Timber, Farm Woodland, New Native Woods, Community Woodlands, Climate Change Champion, Schools and Early Years, and the new Urban Forestry Award.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon presented the awards at the Scottish Parliament event, commenting: “What a fantastic celebration these awards are – they showcase the very best of Scotland’s woodlands. The enthusiasm and passion of all those involved in managing their woodlands shines through each year.
“The awards cover a vast range of woodland types from quality timber, native, community, farm and urban woodlands, to woodlands for schools and early years children. The breadth of the awards itself demonstrates how forestry today is woven into so many aspects of Scottish life.
“Congratulations to all the winners and especially to the schools and young people – you are our foresters of the future and your work is very inspiring.”
Wilma Harper, the new Chair of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “This is the 40th anniversary year of Scotland’s Finest Woods and what a year it has been for celebrating all that is great about our woods and forests!
“Like the forests, the Awards have grown to encompass all elements of our finest woods. We celebrate our forests growing quality timber and protecting the environment, woods supporting farms and community enterprises, inspiring the next generation in schools and, for the first time this year, bringing trees to the heart of the cities.
“It has been a bumper year for applications, and our judges and director have been very busy. I’m grateful to the volunteers and to our sponsors and supporters whose contributions make this Awards Programme possible.
“All our entrants and winners play a vital role and every entry brings a story of collective endeavour and commitment. Well done all!”
Finlay Carson MSP, convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, and the Awards ceremony’s sponsor MSP, said: “It is a great honour to be hosting Scotland’s Finest Woods annual awards ceremony this year and I know from previous events that it promises to be a wonderful celebratory occasion to recognise marvellous achievements across this wide and growing sector.
“It will be nice to honour the winners on the night but also celebrate and pay tribute to the many others who have contributed so much to ensure Scotland’s Finest Woods finally get the recognition they so richly deserve.”
FULL LIST OF 2025 AWARDS AND WINNERS
Climate Change Champion
Winner of the Climate Change Champion Trophy: Selkirk High School
New Native Woods Award
Winner of the Woodland Trust Scotland Trophy for New Native Woods: Forestry and Land Scotland & Transport Scotland for Rest and Be Thankful, Argyll
Highly Commended: Mike Hyatt & Clare Haworth for Baleveolan Croft Woodland, Isle of Lismore, Argyll
Highly Commended: Borders Forest Trust for Talla & Gameshope, Tweedsmuir
Highly Commended: Martin Girvan and Martin Girvan Jr for Ceannacroc Lost Woods, Glenmoriston, Highland
Commended: David & Elizabeth Sandeman for Attinlea Memorial Wood, Nethy Bridge, Cairngorms National Park
Commended: Kilbraur Sheep Stock Club, Rogart, Highland
Community Woodlands Awards
Small Community Woodland Group competition – Highly Commended: Fife Council and The Patons of Dunfermline SCIO – Wooers’ Alley Team, for Wooers’ Alley Woodland, Dunfermline, Fife
Winner of the Large Community Woodland Group competition and of the Tim Stead Trophy for overall Community Woodland Award Winner: Gifford Community Woodland owned by Gifford Community Land Company Ltd for Fawn Wood and Speedy Wood, Gifford, East Lothian
Highly Commended: Sleat Community Trust for Tormore Community Woodland, Isle of Skye
Quality Timber Awards
Winner of The Glennon Brothers New Commercial Woods Trophy: Rosebery Estates for Moorfoot, Midlothian
Highly Commended: Norman Laing for Rhanich Croft, Edderton, Highland
Highly Commended: James Jones & Sons Ltd for Glendivan, Ewes, Langholm
Winner of the award for a Single Stand, Compartment or Small Wood and the Hunter Blair Trophy for Silvicultural Excellence: Forestry and Land Scotland for Braeval Forest, Aberfoyle
Commended: Euan Storrar for Coille na t-Sealgair (Hunter’s Wood), Sorn, East Ayrshire
Commended: Dr A D Martin for Wester Loch, Hawick, Borders
Winner of the John Kennedy Trophy for Multi-purpose Woodlands for Whole Forest or Estate: Mr Dave Newman, c/o F&W Forestry, for Quinlochmuir Forest, Strathblane, Campsies
Farm Woodland Award
Winner of the F & W Forestry Farm Woodland Award & the Lilburn Trophy for All Farm / Croft: Norman Laing for Rhanich Croft, Edderton, Highland
Highly Commended: Peter Gascoigne for Gascoigne Farm, Broughton, Borders
Urban Forestry Award
Winner of the Future Woodlands Scotland Trophy for Urban Forestry: TreeLink Stirling for Free Nut and Fruit Trees, Stirling
Highly Commended: Glasgow City Region Initiative – Green Action Trust / The Conservation Volunteers / Trees for Cities / GCR Green Network for Clyde Climate Forest
Early Years Award
Winner of the Alba Trees Early Years’ Trophy: West Johnstone ELCC, in Johnstone, Renfrewshire
Runner up: Glenburgh Nursery in Rutherglen, Glasgow
Schools Award
Winners of the Crown Estate Scotland Schools’ Trophy: Hardgate Primary School in Haugh of Urr, near Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway
Runner up: Selkirk High School
