Tuesday, March 19, 2024
1Harry Potter Star Endorses Glasgow Woodland

Harry Potter Star Endorses Glasgow Woodland

By Oliver Farrimond

HARRY Potter star Robbie Coltrane is throwing his weight behind the creation of a wildlife sanctuary on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Coltrane, who plays shaggy Hagrid in the boy wizard films, has offered his financial support to The Woodland Trust, who are planning to raise £1.5 million for the 600-acre site at Lang Craigs, near Dunbarton.

It is hoped that the woodland’s 200,000 trees will become a home for kestrels, otters, squirrels, sparrowhawks, woodpeckers, owls and a rare species of butterfly.

Coltrane joins a host of celebrity names including broadcasters Kirsty Young and Carol Smillie.

A spokeswoman for The Woodland Trust said: “We are really pleased the Robbie Coltrane has agreed to endorse our campaign.

“Years of neglect have degraded the natural environment at Land Craigs, but the site offers a fantastic opportunity for the creation of native woodland and an accessible green space.

“We see it becoming an intrinsic part of the community with great potential for family days out, rambling, picnics, quiet contemplation and as a place of learning.

“We hope it will become a thriving home to some of Scotland’s best-loved wildlife.”

Changing Rooms star Carol Smillie said that she hoped that the area would attract young people as well as wildlife.

She said: “I spent my idyllic childhood in woodland and yet, sadly, nowadays kids seem more interested in technology.

“It we all get behind this plan, generations to come will have it to enjoy.”

The Woodland Trust currently owns more than 80 woods over 80,000 acres in Scotland, and launched the project to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Scottish arm.

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