Loch Ness Afforestation

Located in the Scottish Highlands, the project is approximately 40 minutes from Inverness, uphill from a major Loch and near Loch Mhor. It`s adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is a coastal forest by the Loch`s edge. The project offers 19,500 tCO2e of offsetting.

The woodland project consists of 100,000 trees, including the Caledonian Scots pine, sessile oak, hazel, downy birch, rowan, eared willow, and quaking aspen.

Historically, the Highlands lost their population of quaking aspen, while this tree remains present in the Rocky Mountains of North America. These trees, notable for their golden leaves in the autumn, typically grow in damp areas like riverbanks.

The project`s estate is mountainous and is surrounded by other mountainous properties. It is home to wildlife such as red grouse, black grouse, red deer, roe deer, and sika deer.

The broader landscape also supports species like Capercailies, Scottish wildcats, red squirrels, pine martens, golden plovers, dunlins, golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, ospreys, ptarmigan, otters, and water voles.

Project Overview:

• Location: Loch Ness Forest, Inverness, Scotland (40 minutes SW of town, south side of Loch Ness)
• Offsetting Capacity: 20,092 TCO2e (Currently available: 19,500 tCO2e)
• Size & Composition: Mixed native planting over 92 hectares, totalling 100,000 trees.
• Historical Significance: The estate, surrounded by multiple large estates, is situated where the Caledonian Forest once thrived. It`s located on uplands near a montane loch.
• Sustainable Development Goals:
  • Climate Action
  • Life on Land
  • Life Below Water
  • Partnerships for the Goals
• Offsetting Framework: Recognized by the Woodland Carbon Code.
• Project Timeline:
  • Work commenced in spring of 2022.
• Offset Standards Status: Awaiting Issuance; transitioning to Woodland Carbon Units.