The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust bought the 3,000 ha island in 1997 with the aim of conserving its exceptional heritage value and promoting sustainable development for the benefit of the island population and the wider public. The Millennium Forest project has helped start the long-term restoration of the important remnants of native woodland on the island which have suffered from sheep grazing and neglect. Areas of hazel and willow have been fenced to encourage expansion by natural regeneration and part of a conifer plantation has been removed to protect a wetland site with the eventual aim of replacing most of the plantation with native woodlands . The management of the existing woods and the development of new woodland areas are designed to enhance the nature conservation, landscape and amenity values. Islanders have done most of the work and the project has included the provision of machinery and tools plus training to equip them for that. A forestry store has also been constructed to house this equipment and provide a base for woodland related work, which will continue well after the end of the Millennium Forest initiative. In the long term it is intended that over 300ha of predominantly native woodland will be established and managed by the local community.

(Click map to enlarge)