Scotland Mountains: Trees Found Growing At Record Altitudes

Trees have been found growing at record-breaking heights in Scotland’s mountains, according to new research by the University of Stirling.

The highest was a rowan 1,150m (3,773ft) near the top of Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan, a Munro in West Affric.

On Braeriach, Britain’s third highest mountain, a sitka spruce was found at 1,125m (3,691ft).

The trees could be a sign of how hilltop woodlands lost over thousands of years might be restored.

In total, the research documented 11 new altitudinal records for tree species in Britain. The research has been published in the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland’s British and Irish Botany journal.