Clatteringshaws Long Term Plan

The Clatteringshaws land management unit comprises of 4,908 hectares located directly adjacent to the Queensway between New Galloway and Newton Stewart

Afforested from the 1970s, it has had constant restructuring taking place through felling and replanting operations since. The forest surrounds the Clatteringshaws Loch and is encapsulated by the Glenkens hill range. It is part of the national forests and lands owned by Scottish Ministers on behalf of the people of Scotland and is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland.

We are currently revising the Long Term Plan (LTP) for this area. It is an opportunity for us to review the unit’s management objectives and set out our operations for the next ten years.

This page will be regularly updated with information, documents and maps as the plan takes shape.

Renaming Land Management Plans as Long Term Plans

Land Management Plans are in the process of becoming known as Long Term Plans, a change needed as a result of changes taking place in legislation.

The Land Reform Act introduces an alternative use for the term Land Management Plan which relates specifically to the forthcoming obligations set out under this banner. These terms are used interchangeably on our website, but both currently reference our plans developed in line with the UK Forestry Standard.

Location

Plan objectives

Sitka spruce will remain the primary productive species within the forest block, however stand design and restock plans have been restructured to have more diverse age and species across the block, while remaining deliverable, so that timber production remains sustainable now and into the future.

Clatteringshaws is currently 75% Sitka spruce. To bring it into the requirements of the UKFS, and to better support the forests environmental and sustainable timber production objectives, this percentage will be brought down to 65%. Alternative species will be a range of mixed broadleaves, Scots pine, Douglas fir, Norway spruce and Western red cedar. Many of these will be planted in mixtures to give them the best change at survival and to encourage productivity.

Clatteringshaws has approximately 102 ha of peatland that has been identified for restoration and 160 ha surrounding it that has been identified for peatland restoration.

In these areas, conifers will be removed and they will be left as either open space bog, or converted to broadleaf peatland edge woodland.

Clatteringshaws has a large network of watercourses. To support riparian habitats and associated riparian species, we will be increasing low density broadleaf networks across the forest in line with Forestry and Land Scotland policy. These networks provide cover and dappled shade, help keep the watercourses cool and allow animals to move more freely along the water network.

Have your say

It is important that we understand why this area is important to others. Consultation with stakeholders (including the local community) is a requirement of the land management planning process but it is also a valuable opportunity for us to engage with the public, talk about our work, and discover what is important to you.

We are currently inviting comments and feedback on our draft plans. Please contact us with your thoughts using the details at the bottom of this page.

Consultation open between:

21 August and 27 September 2026

Timeline

Early spring 2026: initial scoping
Late spring 2026: site analysis, stakeholder engagement and concept development
Summer 2026: consultation on concept
Early autumn 2026: finalise plan proposals based on consultation
Late autumn/early winter 2026: submission to Scottish Forestry for approval
March 2027: plan formally approved

Documents and maps

Maps

Get in touch

If you would like further information or have any questions about this plan, please contact: enquiries.south@forestryandland.gov.scot

Clatteringshaws Long Term Plan