Croft Woodlands Project

The Croft Woodlands Project aims to engage crofters and smallholders in the creation and management of woodlands on their holdings, delivering multiple benefits in terms of shelter, agricultural diversification, forest products, landscape and the environment.

Launched in 2015 for an initial phase of five years, the response from crofters was so positive it was rolled on for a further five years. With demand for its services still high, we will continue offering tailored help for crofters to keep building on the project’s achievements.

Initially the partnership included the Scottish Crofting Federation, Woodland Trust Scotland, Scottish Forestry (formerly Forestry Commission Scotland), Coigach & Assynt Living Landscapes, Point and Sandwick Trust and the Woodland Croft Partnership. Since its launch, several other organisations have joined the partnership, including the Shetland Amenity Trust, Orkney Woodlands Project, Communities Housing Trust and the Argyll Small Woodlands Co-op.

This report details the first 10 years of the Croft Woodlands Project, including case studies of individual planting schemes supported.