In celebrating its official opening on Saturday (May 5), Laide and Aultbea Community Woodland (LACW) has achieved an astounding turnaround in its fortunes.
Ravaged by the storms in 2005, the forest suffered a terrible loss of timber, one of the worst hit of the community woodlands associations in Scotland.
LACW acquired the 87 hectare conifer forest through a community land buy-out in 2003. Over the last four years LACW has been unstinting in its enhancement of the woods, clearing areas of damaged and alien species and replanting with native broadleaf stock.
John Rippon, chairman of LACW, said: "This is an ongoing labour of love in which our community takes great pride. After the storm we felt like walking away, but we succeeded in turning round our disappointment, changing it into fresh impetus to take the project forward'.
HIE Skye and Wester Ross development manager, Lindsay Campbell said: "It is heartening to see the community's hard work come to fruition. The project suffered a major setback in January 2005 when the wood was devastated by gales affecting about one third of the standing timber, but everyone has worked together to achieve their aims.
"The natural and cultural heritage of an area is a vital ingredient of local amenity, quality of life, confidence and sense of place. It is a unique asset which offers good economic opportunities for cultural and environmental tourism."
As the wood has matured, so has its biodiversity. With its typical 'riparian' landscape of two lochans, several deep burns, a cascading waterfall and marshland, the flora and fauna have increased and several protected species have taken up residence.
Mr Rippin continued: "Like a long-lost painting, abandoned for years in the unforgiving environment of a damp basement, the wood is being painstakingly restored. Laide Wood is a place where people can go for the peace and quiet of the countryside, while getting a little closer to nature and enjoying a good healthy walk.
"We have only been able to reach this level of achievement through the backing of the community, but we are also very grateful for the help and advice from the staff at HIE Skye and Wester Ross and the Community Land Unit."
