'Magnificent' Scottish oak that 'time forgot' is named UK Tree of the Year

The "impressive specimen," which is hidden away in a Skita spruce plantation at Achnacarry, supports an island of native ecosystems, including rare lichens such as the black-eyed Susan.

The tree has a girth of around 8m and is thought to be over 400 years old, but wasn't known to modern tree experts until the Skipinnish ceilidh band played for a gathering of the Native Woodland Discussion Group at Fort William.

Scottish tree that 'time forgot' named UK Tree of the Year for 2024

The Skipinnish Oak is thought to be around 400 years old (Image: Woodland Trust) George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland described the oak as "the tree that time forgot but the piper remembered".

Andrew Stevenson from the Skipinnish band added that he was "delighted" that it had won the Tree of the Year award and that it has held a "special place" in his heart since his father described it to him as a young boy.

The Skipinnish Oak narrowly secured the title with 21% of the online votes cast (Image: Woodland Trust)

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The group, which is set to play at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow next year, will now compose a new song in honour of the oak tree.

Dr Kate Lewthwaite from the Woodland Trust said the tree is a "magnificent example of natural heritage" and that this recognition "shines a light on the incredible biodiversity that our trees support."

The Skipinnish Oak took 21% of the votes in an online poll. The runners-up were the Darwin Oak in Shrewsbury, which secured a close second place with 20% of the votes, and the 1000-year-old Bowthorpe Oak in Lincolnshire came in third, with 14%.