Scottish Tree Hugging
Championships
Saturday 29th July 2023
The Scottish Tree Hugging Championships were held again this year on Saturday 29th July 2023 in the woods around Lochan na Dunaich near Salen, next to ‘The Salen Wood School’.
This event was run in association with the World Tree Hugging Championships held annually in the HaliPuu Forest in Levi, Lapland, Finland.
This year we hosted an Adult Category (over 16 years old) and a Young People's Category for those up to 16 years old and had 18 competitors register to take part. We were impressed with the thought and enthusiasm that the participants put into the competition. As one spectator said “It’s been great, you almost forget how silly it is”.
Congratulations to Lucas Villegas, the Young Scottish Tree Hugging Champion 2023 and Martina Sanchez Wilson, the Scottish Tree Hugging Champion 2023.
You can watch the highlights below:
The Competition Comprised 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 took part in all three events and their scores were 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’.
Ailsa Villegas
Senior Development Officer, Green Health, NHS Highland
Alasdair Firth
Last Year’s Tree Hugging Champion (and works for the Woodland Trust)
Jo MacLean
Forester and Wild Bathing Leader
