SENIOR Scottish politicians have visited a popular county woodland as they explore how similar areas across the country can be protected.

The Scottish Parliament’s citizen participation and public petitions committee stopped off at Pressmennan Wood, near Stenton, earlier this month.

MSPs Jackson Carlaw, who convenes the committee, David Torrance, Alexander Stewart and Paul Sweeney were joined by officials from the Woodland Trust to find out more about the challenges around protecting Scotland’s woodlands.

Owned by the Woodland Trust, Pressmennan Wood has been continuously wooded since the early 15th century but has seen much human intervention throughout its history.

A large part of the woodland is currently classified as ancient semi-natural woodland, with some large areas of plantations on ancient woodland sites.

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The committee visited the area as part of its consideration of a petition seeking the introduction of legislation to provide Scotland’s woodlands with full legal protection, following concerns that large areas are being lost or damaged each year.

Ahead of the visit, Mr Carlaw said: “Protecting Scotland’s native and ancient woodlands is incredibly important to supporting biodiversity and maintaining our natural environment.

“This petition has helped to shine a light on the challenges we need to address to ensure their long-term future.

“The committee has heard directly from the petitioners and a range of experts who have expressed their concerns over the lack of these woodlands’ protection from inappropriate developments and other threats, which has resulted in large areas of ancient woodland being lost for good over recent years.”