A NEW 70-acre woodland has been created at a Borders historic site to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen.

As part of The Queen's Green Canopy – a tree planting initiative created to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last year – a woodland has been planted at Traquair.

The Canopy project was due to end last year, however, after Her Majesty's death in September, King Charles III has agreed to allow the scheme to continue until the end of tree-planting season.

Catherine Maxwell Stuart, 21st Lady of Traquair said: “We are delighted to have our new woodland included as a Platinum Wood which we hope will raise awareness of the legacy of tree planting at Traquair in the years to come. It is critical that we continue to plant for the future to safeguard our environment and the long term sustainability of our heritage at Traquair.

“The woodland is being named after my daughter, Isabella, a keen environmentalist and the next generation of those who will be in charge of nurturing and protecting the woodland in the future.”

Woodland Trust Scotland Director Alastair Seaman said: “We are delighted to announce the first Platinum Woods, as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy in Scotland are at Glen Kyllachy on Speyside and at Traquair in the Borders. We would like to hear from other landowners who may wish to take part in this initiative creating a legacy in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth.”

As part of the scheme, the Woodland Trust is also supplying free trees to schools and communities.

Applications for saplings for spring trees close on January 11.

To apply, or see terms and conditions, visit: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees