Aberdeen’s Tullos Hill Wood commended at Awards

Aberdeen’s Tullos Hill Wood has been highly commended at Scotland’s Finest Wood Awards, which recognises excellent woodland ownership and management.

The trees were planted as part of the Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Woods project, which has seen the planting of some six million trees across the UK, creating hundreds of Jubilee Woods, 60 special Diamonds Woods and 25 Princess Woods.

In Scotland there are 20 Diamond Woods, each over 60 acres in size, of which Tullos Hill Wood in the south of Aberdeen is one.

It was highly commended in the New Native Woods category at Scotland’s Finest Wood Awards.

Councillor Jean Morrison, vice-convener of Aberdeen City Council’s Housing and Environment Committee, said: “The hill itself is one of Aberdeen’s most popular beauty spots so it is vital that we preserve and enhance this area for future generations.

“This ambitious project - part of the council’s award-winning Tree for Every Citizen scheme - has gone a long way to achieving that and it is fantastic to see the hard work of everyone involved is continually being recognised.

“Tullos Hill Wood has been designed so that the sweeping vistas across the city and the sea are preserved. This has not only helped revitalise the landscape of Tullos Hill but also help promote its wildlife and archaeological significance.

“Public access has also been improved so the hill can continue to thrive and be used for a range of activities for people from all walks of life.”

Chartered Forester Chris Piper, who oversaw the planting on behalf of Aberdeen City Council, added: “I am absolutely delighted for Aberdeen City Council and must commend the authority for the vision it has shown on Tullos Hill.

“The judges focussed on the many positive opportunities the project has triggered and I am delighted it has received the recognition it so rightly deserves.”

Peter Wilson, Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards, said: “As ever the judges have been impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of everyone involved in each of the schemes they have visited, and equally with the very impressive, high quality applications.”

Tullos Hill Wood received the Royal seal of approval in March during a Buckingham Palace reception hosted by HRH the Princess Royal. Princess Anne is the patron of the Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Woods project.