Management of woodlands is one of the fundamental aspects of the National Trust for Scotland’s work in the countryside. The project to regenerate the native pinewoods is one of the largest such enterprises in Scotland. The natural regeneration of native woodlands is also a major objective of our management at Torridon, Kintail and Glencoe. The work at Ben Lawers extends up above the natural tree-line and includes the montane willow scrub. At many other properties, including Ben Lawers, we are trying to restructure former commercial plantations to resemble native woodlands.

Lowland properties also have important areas of woodland. Coille Mhor on Balmacara and the Old Wood of Drum are ancient oak woodlands of European importance and we have been working for over 15 years to try to ensure that they can regenerate naturally. Invasion of Rhododendron ponticum is a serious problem in many of the west coast woodlands and we have been striving to reverse this long-term trend as detailed in the control of invasive species.

Commercial forestry also plays a role in our management of the countryside and, though less than in former years, continues to make a financial contribution to the running of some properties. Examples are given in the Mar Lodge Estate case study.

Linn of Tummel in Autumn