Community tree nursery and orchard now on solid ground

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has sold two small plots of land (near Dervaig) to Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT) so that the Mull Community Native Tree Nursery and Dervaig Community Orchard can move on to the next phase of their development.

The Mull Community Native Tree Nursery and Dervaig Community Orchard group, which MICT represented, will now manage the respective sites.

Initially established under a licence agreement with FLS, the projects have been a great success. However, it was agreed by both parties that the long term future and development of the nursery and the orchard would be best secured if the community owned the land.

Moray Finch, General Manager of MICT said

“The local community has really come together to make the tree nursery and the orchard work. The initial lease agreement got the ball rolling and that support from Forestry and Land Scotland was instrumental to the projects’ success.

“The orchard and the nursery bring together people of all ages – the local school makes good use of the outdoor classroom at the orchard – and both are a real focal point of community activity.  

“Thanks to our purchase of the land from Forestry and Land Scotland, we can now look forward to taking the orchard and the nursery to new heights.”

Envisioned in 2018 and formally established in 2020, the Mull Community Native Tree Nursery (MCNTN) has been working to conserve, restore and re-establish native woodlands, plants and all forms of wildlife for the benefit of the community, the wider public and for the natural environment. 

The enthusiastic volunteers behind the project collect native tree seeds from local provenance sources to grow young trees for planting on the Isle of Mull particularly, as well as other locations. Their dedication and commitment saw the group despatch over 10,000 trees to the nearby Langamull area in 2023.

The Dervaig Community Orchard (2016), followed on from the vision of local resident Kate Pitman to create a beautiful natural area in a small section of Kilmore Forest for all to enjoy. Through the work of volunteers the orchard was created and now contains a diverse range of apples and pears, berries, a willow labyrinth and an outdoor classroom, with the local school having been enthusiastically involved from the beginning.

The orchard hosts several established and well supported community events each year.

Andy Hunt, FLS’ West Region Manager, said;  

“The benefits for the community and the environment from both of these projects were very clear from the outset and we were happy to help both projects get started.

“However, it made a lot of sense to simplify things and give the projects a more solid footing if, rather than working under a licence, the community owned the small area of land that host the orchard and the nursery.

“We wish them every success for the future.”

Notes to Editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
2. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland | twitter.com/ForestryLS
3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot