Cotoneaster commandos clear invader from Highland Rock

A daring team of abseilers has cleared 60m³ of Cotoneaster shrubs threatening a rare plant on a Highland cliff. Dramatic drone images captured during the work show the men as tiny specks against the rock.

Migdale Rock rises to a height of 120m at Woodland Trust Scotland’s Ledmore and Migdale Woods in Sutherland. A rare and endangered plant called ‘pyramidal bugle’ has thrived on rocky ledges at the site for many years but was in danger of being crowded out by the Cotoneaster.Advance drone reconnaissance was used to direct three abseilers who cut, bagged and removed the problem plants.

Cotoneaster was introduced to the UK in 1879 from Eastern Asia as an ornamental plant and is now a common garden shrub. Its red berries are eaten by birds which disperse the seeds in their droppings. It can be a problem in the wider countryside when the plant takes over valuable habitats.

Woodland Trust Scotland Site Manager Ross Watson said: “At Migdale a population of Cotoneaster became established across parts of the rock and along the base within the woodland which is an ancient pinewood and Site of Special Scientific Interest. We have been working for five years to reduce the quantity reachable without ropes. Now thanks to funding from the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme we have been able to attack it across the rock.

"It was a very tricky job. An astonishing 60m³of Cotoneaster has been removed from the rock, with more to be done along the cliff base. By the end of the job, we could have removed in the order of 200m³."

Ardgay-based contractors Environmental Forestry Services carried out the work with three abseilers working for three weeks.

The abseilers cut and bagged the Cotoneaster which was then removed from the site in skips. The material will be combined with other green waste to be either shredded and treated for compost or incinerated as biomass.

Ross Watson added: "This work will protect the pyramidal bugle on the cliff as well as prevent the Cotoneaster continuing to colonise the ancient pinewood habitat below."

Pyramidal bugle is so named as it produces pyramid-shaped spikes of purple flowers, between 5 and 20cm high.

This project is receiving funding from the Forestry Grant Scheme.

Scotland’s woodlands and forests are a vital national resource and play an important role in tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis in the rural economy and provide opportunities for public enjoyment.

This project is receiving funding from the Forestry Grant Scheme, contributing towards the Scottish Government’s targets and priorities for woodland creation and sustainable forest management.

Ledmore and Migdale on the shore of the Dornoch Firth is the most northerly Woodland Trust site. It was once part of industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie’s estate. Notable for its pinewoods and oakwoods, it has a network of more than 12km of paths and tracks for visitors to explore and enjoy.

For further information please contact George Anderson on 07770 700631.

Notes to editors

For further information please contact Geroge Anderson on 07770 700631.

About the Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.

The Trust has three key aims:

• protect ancient woodland, which is rare, unique and irreplaceable
• restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life
• plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.