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Ben Lomond Rangers Help Rewild Rare Mountain Willows
Rangers playing Cupid to save Munro's downy willow trees.
Rangers on Ben Lomond are playing matchmaker in a bid to save a rare population of relict downy willow trees (Salix lapponum) on one of Scotland’s most iconic Munros.
On the mountain’s slopes, a small patch of four female downy willows—believed to be several decades old—is receiving a helping hand through a long-term woodland regeneration project. To support natural reproduction, male plants are being cultivated from cuttings taken from a healthy population on Loch Lomond side.
The cuttings are being nurtured in the Ben Lomond tree nursery, with the aim of producing rooted male saplings that will eventually be planted near the female trees. This pairing will create a viable seed source and help safeguard the future of mountain willow scrub—one of six priority habitats identified in the Trust’s Plan for Nature, which guides conservation efforts across its properties.
Ben Lomond, the most southerly Munro at over 3,000 feet (914 metres), is a popular destination for hillwalkers, offering panoramic views of Loch Lomond from its summit. The Trust cares for the summit and surrounding landscape, which includes woodlands, peatlands, moorlands, and steep crags. Wildlife such as ptarmigan, ravens, skylarks, wheatears, black grouse and pine martens can be spotted across the area, and guided ranger tours offer visitors a deeper connection to the mountain’s natural heritage.
Alasdair Eckersall, Property Manager and Senior Ranger at Ben Lomond, said:
“We are nurturing the cuttings to develop rooted male saplings that will be planted out on Lomond side in the future. We’re grateful to Forestry and Land Scotland for permission to obtain the cuttings. The plants will take time to grow and establish strong root systems before planting—this is a long-term vision, with planting expected in 2028. We hope it will have a lasting impact on the biodiversity of this precious landscape.”
The nursery-grown saplings will help expand the downy willow population and protect the existing female trees from dying out. In addition to this work, the project will support the creation of woodland pasture habitats on the lower slopes of Ben Lomond. Volunteers will construct fenced enclosures to protect young trees from grazing animals, allowing them to thrive.
Over time, these new woodland pastures will soften the landscape, combat habitat loss, and enhance biodiversity—contributing to the Trust’s wider efforts to restore native habitats and support Scotland’s ecological resilience.
Find out more about the Ben Lomond willows and the National Trust for Scotland.
