Clan Grant marks 500th Anniversary with Grove

Press Release 6th March 2009

Contact: Kerrigan Bell. Telephone 01309 691292; Email marketing@treesforlife.org.uk.
 

Patrick and Olga Grant, Lord Strathspey, and Mrs Judy Lewis planting a tree in Dundreggan

Members of the Clan Grant Society are helping award-winning conservation charity Trees for Life save Scotland’s Caledonian Forest by setting up a Quincentennial Grove to mark the 500th anniversary of the Clan obtaining a barony from King James IV.

Following a donation of over £1000, the Clan Grant Grove of over 200 trees will be within the 10,000 acre Dundreggan Estate on the north side of Glen Moriston, to the west of Loch Ness. Sir James Grant of Grant, Lord Strathspey, the Chief of Clan Grant, marked the anniversary by planting the first tree on 3rd March 2009.

Alan Watson Featherstone, Trees for Life Executive Director, said: “It’s great news for Scotland that Clan Grant, with its rich and fascinating history, is marking its quincentenary celebrations by looking to the future. Today only one per cent of the Caledonian Forest survives, but every new tree and grove is helping to bring it back.

“This sort of support will help us to restore the Dundreggan Estate to a wild landscape of diverse natural forest cover, with the eventual return of species including red squirrel, capercaillie, golden eagle, European beaver and wild boar.”

The Dundreggan Estate, purchased by Trees for Life last August in a £1.65 million deal, is one of the largest areas of land in the UK bought for forest restoration. It contains areas of ancient woodland, including one of Scotland’s best areas of juniper, but following over-grazing by sheep and deer much is open, treeless ground.

The Clan Grant Grove is also a boost for Trees for Life's Quarter of a Million Trees Appeal. The charity has set itself the target of planting a quarter of a million trees by the end of 2009 as part of the United Nations’ Billion Tree Campaign, which is encouraging people to tackle climate change by planting seven billion trees worldwide.

Trees for Life is keen to hear from potential volunteers, whether individuals or companies, who can help with the restoration of the Dundreggan Estate. In 2009, 51 Conservation Volunteer Weeks, each involving 10 volunteers, will be held from March onwards, some of which will be based at Dundreggan.

People can also support Trees for Life’s work through tree dedications and groves to celebrate special occasions. For more information or to support Trees for Life call 0845 458 3506, email info@treesforlife.org.uk or visit www.treesforlife.org.uk.

Clan Grant has a rich history stretching back to Viking times. In the sixteenth century King James IV called upon the Grants to bring peace and order to the wilds of the west Highlands, making them Royal Chamberlains in Glen Urquhart and Glen Moriston. In 1509 this service was recognised when their lands were turned into Free Baronies.

Today the Clan Grant Society works to promote comradeship and members of the Clan Grant and others with historic links to the Clan and its lands, as well as celebrating their rich heritage. For more information see www.clangrant.org.

Ends

 

Notes to editors

1. Trees for Life is a pioneering charity in ecological restoration. It aims to restore the Caledonian Forest to an area of 1,500 square kilometres in the Highlands west of Inverness. Today only 1% of the original Caledonian Forest remains.
2. Since planting its first trees in 1991 in Glen Affric, Trees for Life has planted over 725,000 trees. Its awards include 1991 UK Conservation Project of the Year, the Millennium Marque in 2000 and Top 10 Conservation Holidays worldwide (in 2009).

 

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Last updated: 26 January 2010