A new woodland is to be established in the Pentland Hills, south of Edinburgh, to honour Scotland’s First World War soldiers.
Over the next four years of the Centenary period, more than 50,000 trees, including oak, birch and rowan, will be planted on land which has been used for army training for the last century.
Most of the trees will be planted in autumn 2014 and spring 2015, with children and members of the public being offered the opportunity to get involved with the planting.
Carol Evans, Director of The Woodland Trust Scotland said:
“The area has been used by the military for more than 100 years, but it is also freely open to the public to explore and enjoy. That makes it a perfect place to create Scotland’s Centenary Wood. It will be a really special place to visit at any time of year but especially in autumn when people are thinking about remembrance”.
She also appealed for £500,000 towards the cost of the project, which will eventually serve as “a beautiful place for people from all over Scotland to come and remember the heroes [of the First World War]”.
The Woodland Trust is working in partnership with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
Lieutenant Colonel Peter Hollins said that the woodland will also act as an area for troops to train:
“We’re proud to be hosting Scotland’s First World War Centenary Wood on our estate. It provides a fitting memorial to the sacrifices of the past, whilst creating new woodland to help soldiers train more effectively in the future”.
Source: UK Government press release
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News