Scotland's Finest Wood Awards were presented on Friday at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, for the first time since 2019, following a Covid-cancellation in 2020 and online ceremony in 2021.

The Awards - run by the independent charity, Scotland's Finest Woods, celebrate the contribution that woodlands can make to the people of Scotland and to its environment and economic prosperity. The underlying principle of the Awards is that people from across Scotland work hard to support their local communities, the environment and our economy, and the Awards provide a way to recognise and reward their achievements and so identify exemplars for others to follow. The Trustees especially wish to thank this year’s partners, supporters and the volunteer judging teams who have made the annual Awards programme possible.

James Jones & Sons sponsored the Quality Timber Award for the ‘New Commercial Woods’ category. The winner was Succothmore in Cowal, Argyll managed by Bryan Pearce for Tilhill. Succothmore was, the judges said, “an exceptional scheme from design to successful establishment”, which had created “appropriate commercial forestry in eagle territory”. They added: “Both biodiversity and public access will benefit, including important botanical species and strong links into the Cowal Way.”

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.”

The full list of awarded entries is available in the Roll of Honour.