Gala Lane Land Management Plan

The Gala Lane land management unit comprises of 3,671 hectares located to the south of Loch Doon SSSI, approximately seven km due west of Carsphairn in Southern Scotland. It is part of Scotland's national forests and land, owned by Scottish Ministers on behalf of the people of Scotland and managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). 

The current land management plan identifies management objectives and sets out our operations over a ten year period. The successful delivery of this plan will contribute to the objectives of FLS's Corporate Plan, as well as the priorities, objectives and vision of Scotland's Forestry Strategy. 

The plan was developed in accordance with the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) and has been approved by Scottish Forestry. The UKFS is the benchmark for sustainable forestry practice and the Scottish Government is committed to its use. 

The land management plan and supporting maps are available to download below. 

Long term vision

Gala Lane will continue to provide sustainable timber volumes and, over time, the woodland's age structure and species composition will become more diverse, consequently increasing the woodland's resilience to the effects of climate change. Phased woodland restructuring contributes to water quality improvement in catchments draining to Loch Doon, while both wooded and open habitats continue to provide for nationally important animal species. The surrounding open hill landscape, encompassing the Merrick Kells, is maintained. 

Management objectives

• Sustainable timber production
• Improve general woodland resilience by enhancing species richness and structural diversity
• Manage the Merrick Kells SSSI / SAC as per the designated site management plan

Summary of planned operations

• Felling = 333 ha
• Potential thinning = 771 ha
• Restocking = 245 ha
• Afforestation = 0 ha
• Deforestation = 0 ha
• Forest roads (new) = 2,100 m
• Forest quarries (existing) = 0.5 ha

Designations and significant features

• Designated sites: Merrick Kells Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
• Other: Galloway and South Ayrshire Biosphere and acid sensitive catchments

Gala Lane Land Management Plan (PDF)

• Map 1: Location 
• Map 2: Current tree species
• Map 3: Concept
• Map 4: Management
• Map 5: Thinning
• Map 6: Future habitats and species
• Map 7: Timber haulage
• Map 8: Soils
• Map 9: Historic environment