Forestry on the Black Isle
*August 2024
Allanglach Wood under threat
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BBC Alba 22 August 2024 Some in the area are angry that Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is going to demolish Allanglach Forest. Allanglach Wood is between North Kessoch and Munlochy - right next to Munlochy Animal Aid Centre. FLS announced some time ago that they plan to cut down a large part of the forest - six hectares - later this year. They say that the trees are so old and have grown so high that many of them are in danger of falling if there is a storm. They say that they consulted with the people of the area - including the charity that runs the Animal Aid Center there. But the center says that no one asked for their opinions. They think it would be a shame to demolish the facility - which many in the community use for walking and recreation. The area's member of parliament, Jamie Stone, said that the place is very important in terms of nature - such as the presence of red squirrels and rare species of fungi. He would request a community initiative to buy the place... "I think there is an additional responsibility towards the public to look after this forest," he said. "It is a forest that is very loved by the community. "I hope we can have a positive conversation about this. "I think there are ways to do things that are much better, and that the people of the area would take with them." A spokesperson for Forestry and Land Scotland said that the forest could be sold to the community. But they said that, at this stage, there is no community group that could submit an application.
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2022-23
FLS Land Management Plan revision for the Black Isle
From July 2022 to February 2023 Forestry and Land Scotland is engaged in a revision of its management plan for the forests it owns on the Black Isle. Eelco de Jong, FLS Planning Forester for the Black Isle, writes
We are currently carrying out a Land Management Plan (LMP) revision to help us determine future management proposals for the Black Isle. An LMP details how we intend to manage our land over the coming 10 years and indicates our vision for the next decades and beyond. This revision covers all forest and land managed by Forestry and Land Scotland on the Black Isle, an area of approximately 5,111 hectares.
Through the new plan we intend to address issues around resilience to climate change, tree health and age diversity. We furthermore want to make sure that the forests provide future economic and social benefits to the residents and visitors and that ecological value is retained and enhanced.
A draft plan has been made and the draft maps can be found in the Documents and Maps below. The community was consulted through two separate community consultation events on these draft maps in late November and early December. A final plan is now being created incorporating feedback from the community and other stakeholders. The final plan will likely be submitted in February 2023 after which it will appear on the Scottish Forestry Public Register for several weeks. If you have any questions or comments in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
TBI Convenor Julian Paren has been in touch with Mr de Jong informally in relation to the plan revision, and attended one of the consultation events held last year.
Culbokie Community Trust has announced that Mr de Jong will be the guest speaker at their AGM on 20 March.
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