Rowan Tree in Carrifran Valley Voted Scotland's Tree of the Year 2020

A Rowan Tree that once stood on its own in the Carrifran Valley has been voted Scotland's Tree of the Year 2020. The tree, known as 'The Survivor', became a symbol for a restoration group working in the area. For years the single rowan tree clung desperately to the side of a burn. The surrounding landscape had been mostly stripped bare by millennia of sheep, goats and deer grazing, farming, harvesting and fire. Similar to much of the rest of the Southern Uplands (Scottish Gaelic: Na Monaidhean a Deas) of Scotland.  

Now hundreds of trees have been planted in the area surrounding 'The Survivor' rowan tree thanks to the work of the Border's Forest Trust and Carrifran Wildwood project.  Borders Forest Trust was established in 1996 with the aim to help restore native woodland to Southern Scotland. Borders Forest Trust completed the purchase of the Carrifran Wildwood in January 2000 and has planted 600,000 trees there since then. Gradually, the landscape is returning to how it would have looked 6,000 years ago.

In 2009, Borders Forest Trust also bought 1,580 acres of farmland in Dumfries and Galloway, which includes the Devil’s Beef Tub and adjoining hills. In 2013, it took over 5,400 acres of Talla and Gameshope estate. The Trust intends to gradually and sympathetically work to restore this important site by encouraging the return of habitats that have been lost over many hundreds of years. 

More information on Borders Forest Trust and its work to restore native woodland to Southern Scotland can be found on the Borders Trust website. Further information on Carrifran Wildwood can be seen on their website.

Image above: The Survivor lone rowan tree courtesy of  the Borders Trust.