Knockbain Farm near Dingwall gets Woodland Award at Royal Highland Show 2022
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A ROSS-SHIRE farm scooped the winner’s trophy at the ‘tree oscars’ presented at the Royal Highland Show last week.
Dingwall-based Knockbain Farm was the joint winner of the Farm Woodlands prize at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2022.
The farm, which is managed by the Lockett family, was praised for the excellent livestock shelter and wildlife habitat provided by trees.
The Judges also reported: “The farm is also outstanding in its connection to the local community in the neighbouring town of Dingwall with the woodlands providing very good footpaths and cycle facilities.”
Richard Lockett, who also runs his own land management advisory business, was delighted to receive the accolade: “We have worked hard over many years to increase woodland cover on the farm as well as enhancing our existing woodlands. Trees on farms are so important. They provide habitats for wildlife, shelter for livestock, enhance the landscape and store carbon. For all of these reasons they are an essential part of the farm business.”
The farm has increased woodland cover from 5 per cent to 20 per cent over the last 40 years, and intends go further.
The new Dingwall Community Woodland planted its first trees in March 2022 with the main planting of 7,000 trees planned for early 2023.
Mr Lockett commented: “There has been lots of enthusiasm for the community woodland and we can’t wait to properly get started on the planting work.”
Màiri McAllan, Minister for Environment and Land Reform, who presented the awards, said: “Scotland boasts a strong woodland heritage that is admired by many countries and its international reputation for good woodland management is well deserved.
“The Awards celebrate the achievements and hard work of all those who create and care for our forests and woodlands, and instil a love of trees in our young people.
“This year, the judges’ results shine a special spotlight on young people of both nursery and school ages, farm and community woodlands - and excellence in creating new productive and native woods.
“I’d like to congratulate all the winners who are keeping Scotland’s woodlands the finest they can be.”
Angela Douglas, executive director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “We’re delighted to have such a tremendous collection of winners and to be able to honour them in person for the first time since 2019. The large number of excellent entries from schools and early years settings was particularly pleasing, showing the future of our fine forests and wonderful woodlands is clearly in good hands!”
