SCORES of volunteers from the local community have contributed to a trailblazing woodland initiative set to become a growing attraction for generations to come.

The Dingwall Community Woodland has now been planted following a series of planting weekends.

That amounts to 7200 native broadleaf trees in the ground thanks to the effort of over 80 individuals from the local community in fields behind the town’s Macrae Crescent.

Tree-planting sessions have run most weekends since the beginning of January and the last 1000 trees were planted at the weekend.

A group of Dingwall Academy pupils joined the effort on Friday and together with a few local volunteers planted an impressive 600 of the final trees.

The steering group behind the project said planting sessions have been "an astounding success" with hugely positive engagement from the community.

Josie Fraser from the Dingwall Community Woodland steering group said: “Most individuals who joined had never planted trees before so volunteers went home with a new skill, the satisfaction of a job well-done and the knowledge that they have contributed to an important project that will have lasting benefits for the community and nature.”

Tree planting may be over for now, but there are still many ways to get involved in the woodland project. The group will soon be opening membership where you can be actively involved in shaping the project, and there will be more volunteer days in the near future. Keep your eyes on the website to keep up to date: www.dingwallwoodland.co.uk

Scottish Forestry and Community Woodland Association contributed funding to make the volunteer days possible.

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