Monday, 09 October 2023
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is advising people in areas badly affected by the weekend’s heavy rainfall to not risk using forest roads in an effort to bypass flooding. FLS has warned that forest roads are also susceptible to damage from heavy rainfall, flooding and can be blocked by fallen trees where waterlogged soils has given way. Carol McGinnes, FLS Central Region Manager, said; “We...
Friday, 29 September 2023
This article featured in the October edition of the Timber Trades Journal It is now well known that the rate of UK timber imports is not sustainable. In the context of the climate emergency, other countries’ timber needs and the need for increased stocks, the UK should aim towards reducing reliance on others. While this is a challenge, it does represent an opportunity for the UK’...
Friday, 29 September 2023
Forestry and Land Scotland is advising hillwalkers and other visitors that its Glen Lochy Car Park will close for up to 12 weeks from 1st October 2023 to allow improvement works to be carried out. The car park is frequently used by walkers accessing Ben Lui and Beinn a’ Chleibh because its proximity to the hills reduces the walk-in distance. The works – to increase the car ...
Friday, 29 September 2023
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, visited Glen Prosen this week (Thu 28 Sept) to learn first-hand how the site could become an exemplar for integrated land management in Scotland. Acquired by Forestry and Land Scotland in 2022, Glen Prosen will be the focal point of a long-term plan that will include all of FLS’ land holdings in the area (including Gle...
Wednesday, 13 September 2023
A breeding pair of White-tailed Eagles has set up home in a Caithness woodland managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. Thought to be the first successful breeding pair in the area in almost 100 years, the birds were found to be nesting in a stand of Sitka spruce within a windblown area of lodgepole pine that was due to be felled ahead of peatland restoration work. It is thought that t...
Wednesday, 13 September 2023
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has appointed a dive team to carry out a check of the Glencoe Lochan sluice gate ahead of a mandatory ten-year inspection next month. The move comes ahead of an external consultant carrying out the formal inspection - as required under the Reservoirs (Scotland) Act 2011 - and aims to prevent a repeat of the mishap earlier this year, which saw the sluic...
Wednesday, 13 September 2023
Forestry and Land Scotland has started work to extend the car park at Learnie Red Rocks mountain bike trails. The addition of 25 extra spaces will help cater for the growing number of mountain bikers who visit to try out the mix of trails. Learnie offers a range of trails to suit all abilities and skill levels but is especially good for novice and intermediate riders. Carol MacKintosh, FLS’ A...
Tuesday, 12 September 2023
The spectacular recovery of pine martens in Scotland is on the agenda for a gathering of pine marten experts in the Cairngorms. Researchers from around the world will be attending the International Martes Symposium in Aviemore, and visiting local success stories in the Cairngorms. The symposium happens every five years in a different country that is home to martens and their relative...
Monday, 11 September 2023
Volunteers from West Fife Woodlands Group (WFWG) have worked with Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) to build a new footbridge at Muirside Woods, near Saline. The bridge is a vital link to the wider area and offers access to the core path network and the National Cycle Network. Installing a bridge was first suggested about 10 years ago but was not progressed because of fund...
Friday, 08 September 2023
Minister for Energy and the Environment, Gillian Martin, today (Friday 8 Sept) joined foresters past and present to mark the centenary of Glenmore Forest Park being in public ownership. Glenmore was purchased from the Duke of Gordon in 1923, only four years after the establishment of the Forestry Commission. Since its entry into public forestry, Glenmore has experienced a...
Wednesday, 06 September 2023
Forestry and Land Scotland’s (FLS) team in Dumfries and Galloway are inviting local people to come along to a walk-and-talk tour (28th September) of the Torrs Warren woodland that lies close to Dunragit village. The walk is part of the consultation on FLS’ 10 year land management plan for the forest (that also includes the nearby Dunragit and Drochduil woodlands) and aims both to encour...
Wednesday, 06 September 2023
Forestry and Land Scotland staff in the Far North have been working to grow a wide range of wildflowers that should help boost numbers of a rare species of bumblebee and boost the fortunes of other pollinating insects. The wildflowers, being tended by North Region staff in polytunnels in Lairg, will be planted out this autumn by volunteers from the Caithness Environment Volunteer Grou...