William hails importance of communities on visit to woodland on Mull

The Prince of Wales has spoken about the importance of communities as he joined his wife in an ancient woodland to meet youngsters learning about nature.

The couple celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary on Mull on Tuesday and were congratulated on the milestone as they mingled with families the next day, as three and four-year-olds ran around at their feet.

Kate crouched down to speak to some of the children learning about their environment through simple tasks like gathering flowers and den building, and she later played with the youngsters by the neighbouring River Lussa, as they threw sticks into the clear running water.

“Catherine would have stayed all day and you could see when she got to the water, that was it.”

Grants provided by William’s conservation umbrella group United For Wildlife’s Nature Protectors initiative will fund Ms Dunlop and a colleague’s ranger roles for a year.

Ardura forest is one of Scotland’s most precious habitats which has been central to the way of life for generations of Mull families, and William pointed out the ferns growing on trees in the “temperate rainforest” when he chatted to one couple.