A RURAL Angus effort to create a lasting and living commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar continued at the weekend.

Naiad Wood on the Kinpurnie Estate near Newtyle is to become one of 33 community woodlands across the UK planted to mark the historic battle.

There are strong ties with areas chosen.

Last week, 200 primary school children started the planting on the land near Lundie, joining landowner Sir James Cayzer, whose family founded the Clan Line Shipping Company.

Sir James’ uncle, Earl Jellicoe, was also Admiral of the Fleet and the naval connections were a talking point amongst community members who turned out to play their part in the creation of the Naiad wood.

It is named after one of the vessels with service at Trafalgar and beyond, outlasted as a survivor of the conflict only by HMS Victory.

Among those participating on Saturday were Heather Penny, her brother Fraser and his family.

The Penny family donated £250 to the project to establish a stand of trees as a living memorial to their parents.

Miss Penny’s father was born in a farm cottage next to the site of the wood.

“Our aim is to highlight the important role timber played in British naval history,” said Woodland Trust Scotland development manager Andrew Fairbairn.

“Scotland’s trees are as important now as they were 200 years ago and we can all do our bit to protect them, and plant new ones.”

There are to be five other Trafalgar Woods in Scotland—Dundee’s Admiral Duncan, Defence at Tomintoul, Defiance at Dumfries, Auchterarder’s Pickle and Swiftsure at Perth.

The project is part of the Trees for All campaign, the largest children’s tree- planting initiative Scotland has ever seen.