Alan Motion, a Chartered Forester and Arboriculturist, has been leading some amazing walks around Dunkeld and Birnam for the Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA). These sessions, part of their continuing professional development (CPD), dive into the history of Scotland’s forests, exploring the highs and lows, from destruction and recovery to rewilding efforts.

Since October 2023, Alan’s hosted six of these walks, with 97 guides joining in. Along the way, he’s shared fascinating tales about Scotland’s native and introduced trees, legendary plant hunters, and the environmental movements shaping the landscape today. The guides walked away with loads of great info to enhance their tours, giving visitors a richer understanding of Scotland’s forestry heritage.

On top of that, Alan’s events also encouraged participants to support Tree Aid—a charity tackling poverty and climate issues in Africa’s drylands. The STGA guides stepped up and raised an impressive £986 for Tree Aid, showing their dedication to both local and global environmental causes.