Making connections
has been part of our DNA from the very beginning.
Just as our trees cooperate through their networks of fungi we form beneficial partnerships with multiple organisations and individuals who share our aims and ambitions.
Here are just some…
Heart of Scotland Forest Partnership
We are a core member of the Heart of Scotland Forest Partnership, a network of seven organisations working together to connect woodlands and create wildlife corridors across Highland Perthshire from Schiehallion to Loch Tummel.
With a vision to create a restored and vibrant landscape that provides opportunities for wildlife to thrive, for local employment and for people to enjoy, the partnership is a perfect fit.
The partnership members are: Dalchosnie and Kynachan Estate, Forestry and Land Scotland, HPCLT (Dùn Coillich), John Muir Trust (East Schiehallion), Scottish Wildlife Trust (Keltneyburn reserve), Woodland Trust Scotland, Garth Wood Wilding Project and affiliate partners Grenich and National Trust for Scotland (Ben Lawers).
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)
We are working with SSEN on two exciting new tree planting projects, a native woodland planting project, to compensate for tree clearance works at Kinardochy. This is nine hectares of Oak-Hazel woodland planted across the east facing slopes in Glengoulandie. The second project involves planting five hectares of Mountain woodland across the crags below the summit of Dun Coillich. This is a Biodiversity Net Gain project for SSEN site clearance works at Errochty and includes montane plants such as Dwarf birch, Willows and Juniper.
Breadalbane Academy & Pitlochry Academy
We have long-standing relationships with our two closest secondary schools and many of their feeder primaries. Each year we offer a tree planting day for all local S1 pupils which is a lively, often noisy and always fun day for all, including our volunteers who often come and get stuck in too!
We have a formal partnership agreement with Breadalbane Academy working across the upper primary and high school years. In 2023 we delivered 12 outdoor learning sessions with the school, days which are now part of the school’s core curriculum. This partnership has been recognised locally and nationally as an example of good practice.
Pitlochry Academy pupils have been visiting Dùn Coillich since 2006 and the school’s pupils have planted over 5,000 trees. We also work in partnership with local ranger services to deliver the school’s Junior Ranger Programme where students can achieve the conserver level John Muir Award.
Cairngorms National Park Authority
We work in partnership with the Cairngorms National Park Authority on several projects including the Junior Ranger programme and as a land Partner on their ‘Volunteer Experiences Programme’ which offers safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences for groups that may not have the opportunity to access the outdoors themselves.
Keltneyburn Hydro Scheme
Keltneyburn Hydro project is a two megawatt hydroelectric scheme with a water intake dam at 350m altitude on the Alt mor burn with a 4km pipeline that drops 243m in altitude down to a turbine hall by the River Lyon. It was constructed in 2009. The water intake for this scheme is on Dùn Coillich and HPCLT receives rent from Keltneyburn Hydro Limited. This forms a significant portion of the trust’s annual unrestricted income.
Wider networks
There are many reforestation projects throughout Scotland, on a variety of scales and ranging across public, private and charitable ownership.
Whilst we are proud of our local connections, it is important to see Dùn Coillich not just as a local endeavour but as part of a national movement to increase native woodland cover and biodiversity and enjoy the environmental, economic and social benefits this will bring.
These wider connections are facilitated by umbrella organisations that provide networking opportunities and support, such as Reforesting Scotland, the Forest Policy Group and the Community Woodlands Association.
