A Legacy of Life and Learning

Earthself, in partnership with Talladh-a-Bheithe Estates and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), developed Emiel’s Food Forest on 1.3 hectares of land along the shores of Loch Rannoch in Perthshire. Highland Carbon played a key role by connecting project partners and supporting its early development.

This project honours the legacy of Aemilius Justin Matthias van Well, known as Emiel, who deeply valued sustainability and the natural world. Emiel, passed away in January 2022 at the age of 26 from an aggressive cancer. This food forest now stands as a living tribute to his passions and dedication to the environment.

The food forest demonstrates the important role the forest has as one of Scotland’s first community food forests. By weaving ecological restoration with sustainable food production it will create a thriving ecosystem that fosters biodiversity, strengthens community connections, and inspires a student-led food forest movement across Scotland, helping to create a Nature Positive Scotland.