Meeting of the Parliament 08 November 2016
I am delighted to speak today in support of my colleague Graeme Dey MSP’s motion on the species champion initiative. Furthermore, as a member of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee, I am only too aware of the importance of raising public awareness of Scotland’s threatened wildlife.
I recently met with the Woodland Trust in my constituency. Across Mid Fife and Glenrothes, the trust owns two small sites at Largo and a larger site at Formonthills, just at the back of Glenrothes. In the late 1990s, 80,000 trees were planted at the Formonthills site with the help of the local community. Primary school pupils from across Glenrothes were involved in creating the drawings of wildlife and plants that follow the path way-markers around the site. The trees that were planted are all native species including oak, ash, birch, cherry and the tree for which I am the species champion, the rowan.
The rowan tree has long been a part of Scottish identity. It is a native tree that grows across the country and has a strong cultural association with folklore in Scotland. Historically it was believed that planting a rowan tree at the door of a house would protect those inside while keeping evil spirits at bay. I remember the croft where my granny was brought up in Muir of Ord and the rowan tree that stood at the foot of the path. Indeed, there is a rowan tree planted at the passholders’ entrance to Parliament—a tree that protects all MSPs, regardless of party-political affiliation or even voting intentions when it comes to referenda.
Members might be familiar with one of Scotland’s most famous regimental pieces of music—Lady Nairne’s early 19th-century piece entitled “Rowan Tree”. Presiding Officer, I am sure you will be delighted to hear that I will not be regaling the chamber this evening with a rendition. However, I would like to remind members from across the chamber of the former First Minister’s recording of the song, which can be viewed on YouTube at any time for fellow MSPs’ convenience.
In 2012, the Scottish Government set a target of 10,000 hectares of new tree planting every year until 2022, of which 4,500 hectares was assigned to be native woodlands. That target is yet to be achieved. The rowan is also threatened by overgrazing, so the Government needs to continue to promote sustainable deer management practices.
To conclude, the rowan tree is part of Scotland’s history, and a vital part of this Government’s commitment to tree planting. It brings us luck and it protects us from evil. I am proud to be its species champion.
17:45