Western Isles Woodlands Strategy

The aim of the Western Isles Woodland Strategy is to encourage the use of trees, shrubs and woodlands to enhance the environment and maximise a range of sustainable benefits to the Western Isles community.

The Western Isles Woodland Strategy (WIWS) was formally launched in January 2004 coinciding with the Deputy Minister for the Environment announcement of a locational forestry premium scheme for the Western Isles.

The locational premium (LP) was a subsidiary grant payable in addition to the standard grants available under the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme (SFGS). LP was only available in areas of Scotland where the Scottish Government considered woodland establishment, regeneration, enhancement or management as a priority.

The LP scheme is no longer available, however this additional assistance resulted in a total of approximately 250 hectares of new woodland planting throughout the islands between 2005 and 2007.