Broadford Community Woodland

Outdoor amenity and catalyst for community projects

Unlocking benefits for all through community land ownership.

Broadford Community Woodland is a 31.4 hectare site comprising plantation forestry and mixed open ground habitats. It is owned by BSCC on behalf of the local community. We have ambitious plans to regenerate the woodland to create an accessible, nature-friendly space that will be a focus for well-being and learning for generations to come.

The wood was acquired in two stages. In 2011 we purchased the original 23-hectare Broadford Community Woodland site from the Forestry Commission (now Forestry and Land Scotland). Some of the site comprised cleared areas of former forestry. This is where we created our Growers Hub community allotments, Outdoor Learning space and community campsite, and built the Rathad na Cloinne woodland path. The remaining 19 hectares comprises forestry plantation, open areas and regenerated mixed woodland.

In 2026 we purchased from HIE an additional 12.4 hectares, formerly known as Broadford North Wood. The purchase was supported by the Scottish Land Fund and HIE and followed an extensive feasibility study.

Following consultation, we prepared a Management Plan for the expanded Community Woodland. Our plans include developing volunteering opportunities, planting mixed native woodlands (in part using trees grown in our Community Tree Nursery), creating a network of paths, and developing small-scale woodland enterprises.

The first stage of the woodland regeneration process will be to harvest the mature plantation forest in the former Broadford North Wood. This will enable us to replant with native species following the required fallow period. In parallel, we are working with volunteers to remove non-native species from the original Community Woodland site, including self-seeded Sitka, and create informal paths to improve access. We are also trialling deer protection methods that can be scaled up in the future. This work has been funded by HIEF and the Nature Restoration Fund.

Acquiring the original Community Woodland site in 2011 was the result of a huge community effort. The acquisition gave us the opportunity to realise many of the community’s ideas that had been held back through lack of land. Negotiations began in 2001 under the auspices of the Broadford Environmental Group, which later developed into BSCC. The process eventually took 10 years. During this time we undertook extensive consultation with local residents, who expressed overwhelming support for the land acquisition. Suggestions for use of the land included:

Woodland regeneration and removal of invasive and non-native vegetation to create native, mixed woodland
Network of paths, nature trails and mountain bike tracks
Community-run campsite
A picnic area and recreational space
Events space
Community allotments and orchard

It is very satisfying to report that many of these ideas have not only been realised but are thriving, and that we are now moving forward on the woodland regeneration and nature restoration ambitions.