The Scottish Tree Hugging Championships will be held again this year on Saturday 20th July 2024 in the woods around Strontian in Sunart, in the Scottish Highlands. The event will be run in association with the World Tree Hugging Championships held annually in the HaliPuu Forest in Levi, Lapland, Finland.

The event will start at 2pm with registration opening at 1:30 pm.

This event is FREE to take part in or to watch.

This year we will again be hosting an Adult Category (over 16 years old) and a Young People's Category for those up to 16 years old.

The Red Pin in the map below shows the location of the parking for the Tree Hugging Championships, which will be held adjacent to the car park. Please note there is a £3 charge for parking in the car park. Can we suggest that you stop for refreshments at The Ariundle Centre on your way to the competition? The nearest postcode is PH36 4JA.

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The Competition Comprises Three Events

Speed Hugging: Most trees hugged in one minute. In a clearly marked area, hugging as many trees as possible in one minute, each hug lasting a minimum of five seconds
Dedication: Most dedicated hug (showing presence, intention, love, respect etc.) of a specific tree of the participant’s choice, lasting a maximum of one minute
Freestyle: Most creative hug. Style open to participant’s own interpretation, one tree only, lasting a maximum of one minute
Competitors take part in all three events and their scores are combined

The Mission Statement of the Event

To raise awareness of nature in the local and global community
To promote understanding about the benefits of trees for health
To increase appreciation of nature, near and far
To host a friendly, shared experience that can bring people together

Competition Judges

The Tree Hugging Championships will be judged by a panel of independent judges who have an interest in trees, the environment and ‘Green Health’.

The judges for the 2024 Scottish Tree Hugging Championships are Cath Wright, Lisa Samson and Ginny Tubbs-Galley.

Cath Wright is a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide based in the Cairngorms - www.highlandquietlife.co.uk.

Lisa Samson is a Countryside Heritage Ranger at Hushwing Ranger Service based in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Ginny Tubbs-Galley is an ‘expert by experience’ when it come to tree hugging! ‘Nuff said!

Weather permitting - this will be the 2024 Tree Hugging Championship Arena ….

Congratulations to last year’s winners, Lucas Villegas, the Young Scottish Tree Hugging Champion and Martina Sanchez Wilson, the Scottish Tree Hugging Champion 2023.

You can watch the highlights of last year’s competition below: