A Lochaber-based project that has been restoring local oak forests to their former glory has won international honours.

The Sunart Oakwoods Initiative in Ardnamurchan and Morvern has won a 2005 Eurosite Award for demonstrating best practice in nature conservation management.

The Sunart Oakwoods Initiative (SOI) was first established in 1996 to restore and expand the native woodlands of the Sunart area of Ardnamurchan and Morvern to recreate an extensive native forest. The work has included the removal of non-native conifer trees that were planted among the Atlantic oakwoods - Scotland's own rainforests - in the post-war drive to re-establish a national timber reserve. Rhododendrun removal and control of grazing was also carried out. The initiative has involved national forests managed by Forestry Commission Scotland, as well as privately owned woods. It has combined nature conservation with economic and amenity benefits to the local community, and has reaffirmed the cultural links with the natural environment.

The Sunart initiative received the award for its outstanding contribution to the positive management of Natura 2000, the network of nature conservation sites across the European Union.

Welcoming the award, Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development, Rhona Brankin, said:

"Sunart is a very special place in international terms and is widely recognised as one of the best examples of woodland habitat in the UK. "The award recognises the considerable efforts of Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and a great many other people who have worked together over a number of years.