Scottish Woodland Alliance

Our Objectives

The Scottish Woodland Alliance is committed to:

• The expansion and regeneration of native woodlands in Scotland
• Contributing towards UK targets for woodland and forest biodiversity
• Promoting social and economic gains for Lochaber and the wider population of Scotland
• The application of sustainable forest projects to carbon sequestration in Scotland.

The SWA objectives are aligned with four of the Scottish Executive’s five Strategic Directions for Scottish Forestry, as well as its commitments to deliver on biodiversity and conservation – all of which share the ultimate goal of sustainability.

The SWA was formed to help reverse centuries of deforestation and breathe new life into the Scottish countryside, its wildlife and communities.

A major funding pledge from Lochaber Estates will enable up to 1,000 hectares of new woodland to be created in Scotland over the next ten years.  The SWA vision is based on a 200 year timescale to benefit future generations as the trees mature over this century and beyond.

Lairds Wood by Keil Hill, is currently being actively managed by the SWA, and in addition, we have begun to improve the adjoining woodland both by encouraging the process of natural regeneration and by the planting of a range of native hardwoods.  We have agreed with Sustrans to improve public access to the hill by permitting the Oban to Fort William Cycleway to cross Keil Hill.  Work should begin in 2009.