ORGANISERS of the Scotland's Finest Woods Awards are advising anyone interested in forests and woods in Scotland that limits on attendance don't apply to the 2021 online event.

Normally, the popular awards – which include two prizes for Farm Woodland – are held at the Royal Highland Show and numbers are capped due to space constraints.

However, the online Zoom event on Friday, September 10 (12noon-1pm) has an increased capacity of up to 500.

"We already have a great range of entrants, funders, supporters, judges and trustees signed up for the event," said executive director of Scotland's Finest Woods, Angela Douglas. "But we think some might believe there is a limit on attendance numbers, based on the usual in-person events.

"We want to assure everyone that this is not the case and encourage them to sign up colleagues and anyone interested for what promises to be a great event. As usual, we are turning the spotlight only on the highest quality entries, which truly deserve the accolade of being one of Scotland's finest woods, forests (or related projects) this year."

There has reportedly been fierce competition in many categories, and the addition of the Climate Change Champion Award to mark the COP26 environmental summit coming to Scotland. The two Farm Woodland Awards – one for people under 40, the other an open award – have attracted a strong field.

"We hope to welcome a much bigger cross-section of the forestry community than we normally can do in person as well as all those interested in our wonderful woods at the online awards” said Ms Douglas.

You can sign up to attend the event here: https://starkeventsuk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vuFs08l1R_qzWEGzAA17Aw