Whisky giant's one million tree plan is helping restore Highland woodland
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A multinational drinks giant is helping restore the Highlands' ancient woodlands as part of an ambitious scheme to plant one million trees across Scotland.
At Allt Ruadh on the Dundreggan estate in Invermoriston, Johnnie Walker, owner of the Glen Ord distillery in Easter Ross, has joined forces with Trees for Life to plant ancient and native trees on a 430 acre site which will serve as a vital wildlife corridor and increase habitat availability for species including black grouse, crossbills and red squirrels.
The project is pat of a commitment by Johnnie Walker, part of the international Diageo drinks group, to plant one million trees across the four corners of Scotland before 2025.
The whisky maker has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint and restore the natural resources it uses when creating its award-winning range of Scotch whiskies.
Julie Bramham, global brand director for Johnnie Walker, said: “Scotland is our homeland. It is where our journey began 200 years ago and it’s at the heart of everything that makes our whiskies so special. As we throw open the doors to the next 200 years of our journey, we want to take positive strides forward to nourish and protect the wild Scottish landscapes and pristine natural resources that have shaped our whiskies for generations.”
Ewan Andrew, Diageo chief sustainability officer, added: “We are committed to a decade of action to create grain-to-glass sustainability in our business and I am delighted that Johnnie Walker is leading the way for Scotch whisky. The million trees we are planting with our partners across Scotland will create wonderful biodiverse woodlands that are havens for wildlife and accessible for people to visit and enjoy in the years and decades to come.”
To date, 389,000 of the one million trees have been planted at two sites, Allt Ruadh and Ballygowan in Argyll. Over the lifetime of this project, these trees are anticipated to absorb over 69,000 tonnes of C02 - the equivalent of taking 10,500 flights around the world or driving almost half a million times from London to Edinburgh.
Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life, said: "Rewilding is an investment in a future in which wildlife can flourish and communities can thrive. Johnnie Walker's contribution to the Trees for Life Allt Ruadh project exemplifies this approach. Their support recognises the critical part our wild places play in restoring nature, reversing the climate and biodiversity crises and ultimately creating a landscape in better health for future generations.”
