£6 Million Lottery Grant Backs Restoration of Scotland’s Rare Atlantic Rainforest

Scotland Atlantic rainforest restoration, Digi Mart USA News (Scotland): Almost £6 million has been awarded to a five-year project set up to restore Scotland’s rare rainforest. The award from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will support the creation of three hubs located in Torridon, Morvern and mid-Argyll.

Through the Our Rainforest Futures project, local people will be given training and work opportunities in habitat restoration, deer management and the removal of invasive species. About 75,000 acres (30,351 hectares) of rain-soaked woodlands on the west coast are designated Atlantic rainforest because of their rare oceanic plant life.

The forest is home to hundreds of species, including glow worms, slime moulds and rare lichens. Overgrazing by deer and livestock, invasive plant species and disease are among the threats to the surviving areas of woodland.

The Torridon hub would involve communities in Kinlochewe, Shieldaig, Lochcarron, Applecross and Gairloch. In Morvern, the project would include Lochaline, Strontian and Tobermory on Mull.

The mid-Argyll hub would involve Crinan, Tayvallich, Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig and Tarbert.

Our Rainforest Futures is an Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest project led by the Woodland Trust Scotland. Argyll Countryside Trust, Community Woodlands Association, Plantlife, RSPB Scotland and SRUC are also involved.

Caroline Clark, Scotland director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said Scotland’s rainforest is internationally significant but largely unknown. She said a 2025 survey found fewer than one in three people even know it exists.

“This major investment, using funds raised by National Lottery players, recognises that the future of our rainforest and the future of many west coast communities are closely linked. With the right support, both can thrive.”

Julie Stoneman, Saving Scotland’s Rainforest Programme manager at the charity Plantlife, said the project could create more than 20 jobs and 15 trainee posts.