Scotland's rare rainforest is set to benefit from a £10 million investment from the Scottish Government.

The funding will be used to restore 1,200 hectares of degraded rainforest habitat, including the regeneration of ancient Caledonian pine forests and the removal of invasive species like rhododendron.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon visited Sallochy Forest to highlight the importance of the restoration work.


The investment is part of the Scottish Government's commitment to protect and enhance Scotland's unique natural heritage.

Ms Gougeon said:  "Scotland is home to its own temperate rainforest boasting a variety of rare species and habitats.  We are already delivering work to protect and expand this precious environment and this additional funding of £5 million will help us to go further faster.

"Protecting our rainforests is essential to tackling our biodiversity crisis but is also an important step in helping Scotland on its journey to net zero by 2045.

"Rainforest restoration needs to be done at a landscape scale, in partnership with organisations, landowners and land managers, and this funding will help to develop and deliver a range of collaborative projects."