Last week’s NWDG excursion to Sutherland provided a great insight into many aspects of native woodland, including management, ecology and history, all inter-connected of course. Visits included Alladale and Amat Estates, amongst the most northerly native pine sites in Scotland, WTS Ledmore & Migdale woods looking at issues around creating new coppice, Strath Carnaig’s beautiful alders and wood pastures, and aspen sites along the River Shin. Evening events at the excellent Invershin Hotel included a talk on the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland by FCS, our AGM and a great ceilidh with the Blackrock Ceilidh Band. The NWDG excursion is as much about people as about woodlands, it is a very welcoming group with a ‘broad kirk’ of interests, professional and individual. Next year our excursion will visit Galloway, with its wealth of native and historic woodlands. Details of how to join NWDG at www.nwdg.org.uk