Eigg Island Grows Forest for Island's Future

The community of Eigg, a small island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, has undertaken a significant tree-planting initiative to secure a sustainable source of wood for fuel and to bolster local ecosystems. Over the past five years, residents have planted more than 50,000 trees, nurtured from seeds collected on the island. This effort aims to provide a renewable resource for the island's approximately 80 inhabitants, who rely on independent renewable energy and wood stoves.

The island's tree nursery, managed by Tasha Fyffe, emphasizes the advantage of using homegrown saplings. These trees, including native species like hazel, birch, and oak, are genetically adapted to Eigg's often windy conditions, increasing their survival rates compared to imported saplings. The project has also seen trees exported to nearby islands such as Muck, Canna, and Rum, as well as communities on the west Highland mainland.

Remarkably, this tree-growing project has uncovered a piece of Hebridean history: an old trade route between Eigg and islands like Uist and Barra. Historically, Eigg traded hazelnuts with these western islands in exchange for other goods. The nursery is currently seeking funds through crowdfunding to continue its operations and expand its reach, supporting further tree distribution across the Highlands and Islands.