Author: Christine Davis | Marketing Manager, Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum of the Isles
Introduction to Armadale Castle’s New Initiative
We are very proud of our trees at Armadale Castle, the spiritual home of Clan Donald on the Isle of Skye. Some of them have been here for generations and date from Lord Macdonald’s landscaping of the grounds in the 19th century. Others have a more recent history, nurtured by the charitable trust that has cared for these lands over the past 50 years. And now we are set to embark upon a new chapter, fitting for the 21st century, as we launch an exciting new initiative that will help save some of the world’s most endangered species while also establishing Armadale’s next generation of trees. We very much hope that members of Clan Donald USA will get involved. Over the next three years, our Estate and Gardens team will be planting 140 new conifers in our gardens. The trees comprise a variety of species, many of them under threat of extinction in the wild.
Partnership with the International Conifer Conservation Programme
The initiative is a collaboration with the prestigious International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP), which is based at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). Armadale has just become an official ICCP Satellite Garden, part of a network of ‘safe sites’ where vulnerable tree species are able to flourish. Together these sites form a living collection which contributes to the ICCP’s vital research about endangered species, and can potentially be used for conifer restoration programmes. This is imperative work, as conifers are of major importance worldwide and over 34% of all conifer species are threatened.
Recent Developments and Public Engagement
At the end of last year, we collected the young trees from the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, where they are grown from seeds collected in the wild under strictly controlled licence arrangements. They are now in the care of our Estate and Gardens team who will look after them until they are ready for planting. Three have already gone in the ground, and more are set to be planted this spring. Others will be grown in our nursery for future planting. It’s been great to see all the interest the project has generated so far, with coverage in our local newspapers, TV, and radio. And we’re also looking forward to launching learning activities, community volunteering, and events programme later this year as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Supporting the Conservation Programme
Prior to becoming a Satellite Garden, we were delighted to host a visit from the RBGE’s conifer expert Martin Gardner MBE, who is Coordinator of the International Conifer Conservation Programme and former Chair of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Conifer Specialist Group. Martin was able to assess our suitability and identify the range of material our gardens could support. Following the visit, Martin invited us to select from an extensive list of potential trees. Many of the plants originate from material collected in Chile, but there are also specimens from countries as far afield as China, Japan, Argentina, Morocco, and Croatia.
Community Involvement and Legacy
Andrew Peters, our Gardens Consultant, has been a driving force behind the project. “At a time when the world’s biodiversity faces unprecedented threats,” Andrew says, “we believe it is more important than ever to protect forests and threatened species. So we’re honoured to be part of a programme that enables us to build on our important existing collection while creating a lasting legacy for future generations.” The project is at the centre of the future vision for Armadale. Andrew adds: “The new partnership is a major step on the way to us achieving our long term aim of creating an internationally recognized arboretum and woodland garden at Armadale, with conservation at its core.”
Get Involved: Adopt a Tree
As many readers will be aware, Armadale Castle is the former home of the Macdonald clan chiefs on Skye. Today the Armadale estate is owned and managed by the Clan Donald Lands Trust, a charity founded in the 1970s to save these historic lands and conserve and promote Clan culture and history for its global diaspora. So we’re offering the opportunity not just to donate to the programme – which of course is welcome – but also to ‘adopt’ one of these very special trees. Whether you’re looking for a sustainable gift for someone special or an unusual way to commemorate a significant date, it’s a great way to show your support. Each adopted tree will have a dedication label and you’ll also receive a unique certificate with photographs of your tree and the species details. All monies raised will directly support tree planting and care. We do hope we will be able to welcome you to Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum in the not too distant future. Meanwhile to find out more about all that is happening at Armadale Castle, Gardens and Museum of the Isles visit our website at https://www.armadalecastle.com. To learn more about tree adoption visit the Clan Donald Foundation website at https://www.clandonaldfoundation.org/project.php.
