12 November 2013
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Niel Gow's oak to be entered into European Tree of the Year contest
An ancient oak tree in Perthshire which inspired the work of Scottish composer Niel Gow is to be entered into the European Tree of the Year contest. ...
An ancient oak tree in Perthshire which inspired the work of Scottish composer Niel Gow is to be entered into the European Tree of the Year contest.
The annual contest aims to find 'Europe's best loved tree' which has a story that can 'bring a community together'. This will be the first time that a tree from Scotland has been entered. Niel Gow's Oak stands on the banks of the Tay outside Dunkeld, on Forestry Commission Scotland-owned land. Musician Niel Gow lived in Inver for msot of his life and according to legend, some of his best-loved tunes, including 'Farewell to Whisky' and 'Niel Gow's Lament to his Second Wife' were written in the shadow of the Oak.
A bench has been installed in the shadow of the tree inscribed with a lyric from Michael Marra’s song ‘Niel Gow’s Apprentice’, which pays tribute to the large legacy that Gow left to Scottish music.
Our best-loved trees
Rory Syme from the Woodland Trust Scotland said: 'Niel Gow’s Oak is a perfect example of a tree that has great story to tell and a real connection with people. It’s fantastic to be able to sit under the oak and experience the same sights and sounds that inspired such beautiful music.
'The tunes that were written under the tree have been exported all over the world and we're sure that the folk music community will get behind the entry in a big way.
'By celebrating Scotland’s best loved trees and the links they have with local people and history we can help to ensure their protection.
Members of the public can vote for their favourite tree at the European Tree of the Year website during February 2014.
Niel Gow's Oak has been entered into the contest by the Woodland Trust Scotland ahead of a public competition to find Scotland's best loved tree in 2014. The charity is launching a search for the nation’s next entry in March. Scotland’s Tree of the Year will be open to any individual tree that has a great story to tell.
For more on the work of the Woodland Trust Scotland, visit the website.
Keep up to date with the latest history news, discoveries and research in every issue of History Scotland and Scottish Memories magazines, available in print and digital versions.
The annual contest aims to find 'Europe's best loved tree' which has a story that can 'bring a community together'. This will be the first time that a tree from Scotland has been entered. Niel Gow's Oak stands on the banks of the Tay outside Dunkeld, on Forestry Commission Scotland-owned land. Musician Niel Gow lived in Inver for msot of his life and according to legend, some of his best-loved tunes, including 'Farewell to Whisky' and 'Niel Gow's Lament to his Second Wife' were written in the shadow of the Oak.
A bench has been installed in the shadow of the tree inscribed with a lyric from Michael Marra’s song ‘Niel Gow’s Apprentice’, which pays tribute to the large legacy that Gow left to Scottish music.
Our best-loved trees
Rory Syme from the Woodland Trust Scotland said: 'Niel Gow’s Oak is a perfect example of a tree that has great story to tell and a real connection with people. It’s fantastic to be able to sit under the oak and experience the same sights and sounds that inspired such beautiful music.
'The tunes that were written under the tree have been exported all over the world and we're sure that the folk music community will get behind the entry in a big way.
'By celebrating Scotland’s best loved trees and the links they have with local people and history we can help to ensure their protection.
Members of the public can vote for their favourite tree at the European Tree of the Year website during February 2014.
Niel Gow's Oak has been entered into the contest by the Woodland Trust Scotland ahead of a public competition to find Scotland's best loved tree in 2014. The charity is launching a search for the nation’s next entry in March. Scotland’s Tree of the Year will be open to any individual tree that has a great story to tell.
For more on the work of the Woodland Trust Scotland, visit the website.
Keep up to date with the latest history news, discoveries and research in every issue of History Scotland and Scottish Memories magazines, available in print and digital versions.
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