Argyll project volunteers collect native tree seeds to support rainforest restoration

29 October 2026

Images: The Argyll project volunteers from SSEN Transmission, Siemens Energy and BAM during their day at Glen Shira helping the Argyll Countryside Trust 

Volunteers from SSEN Transmission, Siemens Energy and BAM have joined forces to support the restoration of local woodland in Argyll.

The volunteering day brought together colleagues and partners working on SSEN Transmission’s Creag Dhubh to Dalmally overhead line project and An Suidhe and Crarae substations.

The group spent a day at Glen Shira helping the Argyll Countryside Trust collect native tree seeds for use in future rainforest restoration projects across Argyll and Bute, home to part of Scotland’s rainforest, a rare and internationally important habitat of native woodland, mosses, liverworts, lichens and ferns.

The volunteers collected around 2kg each of hazelnuts and hawthorn berries from native trees in Glen Shira, with the potential to produce around 700 hazel trees and 1,000 hawthorn trees.

Image: The team at work collecting seeds to help with woodland restoration

The Argyll Countryside Trust collects seeds from local trees across Argyll and Bute to help ensure future planting stock is suited to local conditions, while maintaining the diversity of native tree populations.

Hazel is particularly important to Scotland’s rainforest, supporting a rich diversity of wildlife, including rare lichens, bryophytes and fungi.

The activity forms part of SSEN Transmission’s wider commitment to supporting the communities and environments where they work, giving colleagues the opportunity to contribute to local projects while learning new skills and strengthening relationships with community organisations.

Amanda McClintock, Community Liaison Manager at SSEN Transmission, said:

“It was great to spend the day with colleagues and partners supporting work that will have a lasting positive impact on the local environment.

“We learned a lot about Scotland’s rainforest and the important work being carried out by the Argyll Countryside Trust. Knowing that the seeds we collected could ultimately help produce hundreds of native trees made the day particularly rewarding.

“We’d like to thank the Trust for sharing its knowledge and expertise, and Siemens Energy for organising such a worthwhile volunteering opportunity.”

Heather Morrison, Rainforest Volunteer Development Co-ordinator with the Argyll Countryside Trust, said: 

“Days like this show just how much can be achieved when people come together to look after nature. The support of local businesses like SSEN Transmission adds valuable capacity to our rainforest regeneration work.

“Connecting people to the unique natural environment of Argyll is a big part of our work- and we hope that everyone who came along left with not only a better understanding of Scotland's rainforest,  but also the impact that can be made on these employer-supported volunteering days."