Forestry and Land Scotland’s team on Arran has teamed up with a local garden centre to make sure that residents can still buy their locally gown Christmas trees.

With FLS’s Brodick office closed and staff still working from home, it looked as though the team wouldn’t be able to invite local residents to come along and buy a Christmas trees this year.

But the Cladach Garden Centre has stepped forward and will be offering members of the public FLS trees as well as bought-in trees.

Andy Walker, for the FLS team on Arran, said;

“For about 30 years now we’ve planted a small number of trees specifically with Christmas in mind.

“It’s not a big thing - just something nice to do for local residents – so it doesn’t take a lot of time or space and we just let the trees get on with it.

“We don’t trim them or shape them as they grow so they look a bit more ‘rugged’ than most Christmas trees but folks don’t seem to mind.

“I think they quite like the fact that they can lop off the odd branch or two to get exactly the sort of shape they want – and they really like that they’re locally grown, and that little bit cheaper, too.

“It’s become a bit of a local tradition over the years so it’s great that we’re able to keep it going this year.”

The trees will be on sale from the end of November. Larger trees are also available for sale to businesses and villages on the island. 

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. forestryandland.gov.scot | twitter.com/ForestryLS

3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 0131 370 5059 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.