Ensuring the future of oaks

FORMER Lothians Green MSP Robin Harper, now on the board of the National Trust for Scotland, was joined by Tam Dalyell as he gifted one of the trust’s most iconic properties with a batch of oak tree seedlings and saplings.

The donation will establish a new plantation at the House of the Binns near Linlithgow, which will act as a lasting memorial to the Trust’s 80th anniversary.

The gift will also ensure the continuation of native species of oak within the ancient landscape.

Mr Harper, who was Scotland’s first ever Green Party MSP, enjoys his hobby of growing trees from seed and offering them up for planting.