SURF Awards Winner:
Community Led Regeneration

What is the aim of the project?

To increase access to woodland assets, through recreation and environmental education activities.

Where is it taking place?

Within 160 hectares of mixed woodland at the northern end of the Isle of Bute.

What has been achieved?

The Isle of Bute has a thriving local community, but suffers from deprivation with parts of the main town, Rothesay, amongst the most 20% deprived in Scotland.

Despite these challenges, Bute Community Land Company (BCLC) has created greater opportunities for the local economy, recreation and tourism, the environment, and education by delivering numerous improvements, including offering local employment, and volunteering and training opportunities, where people can spend time in the forest and learn new skills.

Bute Community Forest was initially created in 2009 when over 92% of the eligible local population voted for its purchase, and created the largest community buy-out of a woodland asset of its time. BCLC has worked hard over the last 2-3 years to re-engage with the local community and, this year, have delivered 25+ community events attracting 520 island residents and visitors. The aim is to enable every island child aged 3-11 to access the forest for nature and outdoor learning, and this year alone, BCLC have delivered 50 nursery forest school sessions, for 350+ pre-5 child visits.

In addition, BCLC have hosted 34 group meetings in the woodland, supporting specific demographics from within the community and beyond, including facilitating formal Branching Out sessions and informal ‘blether & brew’ sessions; these groups enable people with mental health difficulties to access the woodland and receive the many benefits. The team have also supported refugee communities by hosting ‘get together’ events, with the most recent barbecue attracting 30 people.

Since opening in 2023, Bute Forest’s eco lettings business The Charcoal Huts, an innovative offering to the island, has proved popular, with 60% of weekends booked in the first year, and many people booking in for short stays throughout the week.

Who is running it?

Led by BCLC, the Bute Forest community consists of 300+ existing members, plus the wider local population of the Isle of Bute.

Why did the judging panel like it?

The judging panel were particularly impressed by the engagement of the nursery and primary school children with the community forest and nature. The panel also applauded the drive, enthusiasm and sheer pleasure shown by staff and volunteers when interacting with the groups and visitors through utilising the island’s heritage, history and folklore.

They were also impressed by the group’s ability to generate commercial income through the Charcoal Huts initiative and the very positive response to the crowd funding appeal in raising over £9k locally, as well as having this total matched by other supportive sources.

Overall, the project is clearly demonstrating regeneration by giving new purpose to an otherwise forgotten area of the island, whilst creating new effective partnerships and finding creative ways to interact with their natural environment and manage the community woodland sustainably.