In the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, fundraisers have been set up for Eas Mor Forest in Kildonan, and another by the National Trust for Scotland for support at their properties, including Brodick Castle. Please see the links below if you are able to help. Featured image shows the library at Eas Mor waterfall, which was narrowly missed by a tree. All photo credits John Crawford/Eas Mor Ecology.
Eas Mor Forest Appeal
An appeal was set up by Professor John Crawford to support the work needed to clear the fallen trees and paths at Eas Mor forest, and to regenerate the area. This has been very successful, with many people donating money and time. On February 15th John wrote:
This fundraiser has exceeded its original target 4 times over. As a result, we have managed to clear almost all of the paths, and most of the fences have been fixed. This is waaaaay ahead of what we thought was possible.
Can we raise the final amount needed to finish the job? We are just over £300 shy of the final £5k goal for this fundraiser. Please share with anyone you think might be able to contribute, and let’s get this over the line.
No donation is too small. Thanks again for supporting the forest and its inhabitants. https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-eas-mor-forest
Background to Eas Mor Ecology:
For the past 21 years, the Eas Mor Ecology Charity has looked after a small glen on Arran that runs from the seashore to the “Big Waterfall,” or Eas Mor in the Gaelic language, Arran’s highest. The remnant rainforest and unique geology and biodiversity of the glen have been made accessible to the public by creating an extensive network of paths and bridges. The iconic log cabin library above the falls provides a quiet space to listen to the forest and read. Its walls and ceiling record decades of visitors’ stories and children’s drawings. Eas Mor has always been free to access and enjoy.
Unfortunately, in the early hours of January 24, 2025, hurricane-force winds from Storm Éowyn devastated the forest of Eas Mor. We estimate more than 25% of the trees have fallen. While the path to the library has been cleared and the library has been spared (it’s made of wood and magic), much of the fencing is broken and parts of the path destroyed. The lower forest paths are inaccessible, and one of the bridges has collapsed under a large fallen tree. The storm has compounded the damage caused by the current tree disease epidemic, which is ravaging forests across the UK.
Please donate what you can to help restore access to this unique place and regenerate the forest for future generations to enjoy. All the funds will be used to purchase materials to repair paths and fences and buy locally sourced, disease-resistant native tree saplings for replanting. We aim to restore access to as much of the forest as possible by the summertime.
Some images of the storm damage:
The National Trust for Scotland has also launched a Storm Appeal.
Storm Éowyn has caused devastating destruction across Scotland and at dozens of special places which our charity cares for.
We are still assessing the full extent of the impact, but we know it is severe – it will take time to recover, at a significant cost.
We have lost many trees: at first count we know we’ve lost around 250 across Culzean Country Park and over 60 at Threave Garden. At places such as Hill of Tarvit, Castle Fraser, Brodick Castle, Greenbank Garden and Holmwood, much-loved trees have been lost or damaged within the gardens.
Whilst the grounds of Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park NTS have now reopened following days of clearing up the fallen trees and branches by the gardens and ranger teams, some of our trails sadly remain closed due to storm damage. It will require a lot of resource to complete the clear-up, and to replace the trees and infrastructure that we have lost.
Please consider donating to the National Trust for Scotland‘s Storm Appeal to help with this work: https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/storm-appeal-launched.