Latest COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information
Last updated: 31 March 2020 - 4:23pm
In light of the most recent Government directive in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation, it is more important than ever that we pull together and do our utmost to look after ourselves and our loved ones. As ever the health and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and contractors is our primary concern so we have made necessary decision to close down all our current non-essential operations, except some harvesting sites that provide essential woodfuel and material for other essential products. Details are listed on this page.
Our staff where possible are now working from home, which means regional offices are closed, as are all of our visitor facilities - including toilets, car parks and mountain biking trails.
We know that Government advice is for people to go outside to take physical exercise where it is safe to do so as this is not only good for physical health, but also can boost wellbeing and reduce anxiety too.
However we need to avoid unnecessary travel, so make your walk a local one; do not get into your car to travel to one of the woods we manage. The walking trails within these local forests will remain open but you must exercise alone or with your own household and, if encountering other people, maintain the social distancing rule. Remember our toilets, mountain biking trails, and car parks are closed.
If you do not live close to one of our woodlands there will be other places that you can visit. I encourage you to get outdoors and enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise where safe to do so.
Forestry and Land Scotland will continue to follow all public health advice issued by the Scottish Government and NHS Inform.
Simon Hodgson
Chief Executive, Forestry and Land Scotland
Latest information
- The latest Government advice is here.
- All of our car parks, mountain bike trails, visitor centres, cafés and other visitor facilities - including toilets - are closed until further notice.
- However, our forests remain open to those who can travel to them without a motor vehicle. Go for a walk in your local forests, but maintain social distancing at all times. Getting outdoors will help maintain physical and mental wellbeing.
- Do not travel by motor vehicle to one of our forests, and do not camp overnight at any site that we manage.
- Please be aware that we are currently unable to maintain our standard trail checks and maintenance.
- GoApe treetop adventure sites at Glentress and Aberfoyle, as well as Nevis Range Mountain Experience are closed.
- All shooting, stalking and related activity has been suspended on the national forests and land.
- All mountain bothies on the national forests and land are closed.
- There will be no events and group activities in our forests until the end of June.
- If you have any concerns, we suggest checking the latest advice issued by the Scottish Government and NHS Inform.
- Our Procurement and Estate Development teams have created the following 'frequently asked questions' documents for companies who hold commercial leases or provide goods, services or works to Forestry and Land Scotland:
Procurement, Contracts and Finance FAQs (PDF)
Commercial tenants and agreement holders' FAQs (PDF)
UPDATED: Commercial Timber Customers' FAQs (PDF)
NEW: Scavenging licenses and firewood permits FAQs (PDF)
This page will be updated as the situation develops, so please check back regularly.