Glencoe Land Management Plan

Glencoe woodland is located on the lower slopes of the Pap of Glencoe (Map 1 - Location). Located on a promontory which extends into Loch Leven, it is highly visible from the A82 when heading east along the Loch, and forms a landmark feature at the western end of Glencoe. 

The forest plan area is nearly 140 hectares, and extends over land ranging from 10 to 240m above sea level. It forms a backdrop and an easily accessible recreational resource for the village of Glencoe. A car park is provided along with several waymarked trails and informal access routes, and an all ability trail around the Glencoe Lochan, which includes access to fishing platforms; the Lochan is stocked with brown trout.

The woodland is a ‘Jewel in the Crown’ for Forestry and Land Scotland and is thought to attract around 20 000 visitors per year. A Right of Way skirts the western edge of the forest and the Glencoe Orbital footpath runs along the southern edge from Glencoe village.

The forest lies within the Ben Nevis and Glencoe National Scenic Area. 

Lord Strathcona acquired this estate in the late 1890s. He built Glencoe House and began to restore the woodland, which was originally part of the grounds. He also built the Glencoe Lochan and its three dams, reputedly in an attempt to replicate a Canadian landscape to make his wife feel at home.

The larger, main dam is inspected annually with two minor ones above. Glencoe House subsequently became Glencoe Hospital, but is now back in private hands. The Forestry Commission acquired the estate in 1950 and continued planting until 1966. Harvesting of first rotation crops began in the 1990s.

• continue to provide a positive and welcoming visitor experience
• identify areas to focus controlling invasive species and avoiding their expansion
• maintain policy woodland areas
• restore and link PAWS areas
• continue improvements to landscaping along upper margin as restocking of felled areas proceeds
• identify suitable species for restocking productive timber areas remaining in north

• Autumn 2025: surveys and internal scoping meetings
• Winter 2025: initial public consultation
• Spring 2026: development of management proposals
• Autumn 2026: consultation on management proposals
• Winter 2026: submission of proposals to Scottish Forestry

Drop-in consultation event

Tuesday 27 January 2026, 2pm - 630pm, Glencoe Village Hall

• Glencoe LMP Plan Brief
• Map 1 - Location 
• Map 2 - Context
• Map 3 - Issues map