Meet our team
The Arkaig Community Forest was established, and is still overseen, by a community board of local residents. An additional team of five staff are employed to manage our ongoing projects including the tree nursery and deer larder.
Our staff
Anna Macfie
Tree Nursery Manager
Anna Macfie grew up on Knoydart, and was inspired by the nurseries at Beinn Eighe and Rum NNRs to grow trees for Woodland Grant Schemes. She has planted thousands of native trees, and worked as a field ecologist across the Highlands, from Caithness to Abernethy and Kintyre. She loves working with other people to restore nature, and is a keen propagator of native wildflowers.
Catriona Souter
Community Venison Project Manager
Hailing from Aberdeen Catriona has a rich variety of charity sector experience including fundraising and social media management. A keen paddle boarder, wild swimmer and hiker she loves getting out into the land and sea of the Highlands.
Madeleine Cowley
Volunteer Coordinator
Madeleine loves working outdoors in all seasons to help restore and revitalise Scottish woodlands. She has a diverse range of third sector experience including counter human trafficking, international election observation and a community land buyout in Glasgow.
Bryony Lewis
Tree Nursery Assistant
Originally from the West Midlands Bryony made Lochaber her home in 2023, after spending two wonderful seasons guiding along the Caledonian Canal. She’s a passionate advocate for the environment, with a heart dedicated to inspiring positive ways for people to connect with nature. In the winter of 2024, she started volunteering at the tree nursey alongside her guiding work, diving into the fascinating world of tree cultivation, plant health, propagation and nature restoration. Bryony loves nothing more than exploring the stunning Scottish Highlands and sharing its magical charm with others.
Jared Child
Operations Manager
With a background in operations management, systems processing and outdoor education, Jared will help support the day-to-day operations of ACF and their project development. He is an avid outdoors enthusiast and when not working can be found wandering the woods and hills of the highlands.
Our trustees
Chairperson - Angela Mercer (Interim Chair)
Treasurer - Jon Mercer
Minute Secretary - Sandy Edmond
Gusach - Angela Mercer
Clunes Oakwood - Ali Austin
Clunes Forest School - Davie Austin