Nether Lochaber Land Management Plan
Nether Lochaber Land Management Plan navigation
This land management plan will review and replace the previous Forest Design Plans of Glenrigh and Callart and combine them into a single plan: Nether Lochaber Land Management Plan. This new LMP will cover a total area of 2366 hectares across open ground and forest.
Glenrigh Forest, located above the shores of Loch Linnhe near Corran and stretching across Glen Righ, is predominantly a softwood conifer production forest with some areas of ancient woodland and priority open habitat restoration. Most of the plantable areas have been stocked although there is potential for some woodland creation. Callart Forest, located on the northern shore of Loch Leven with commanding views over the wider Glencoe to Ballachulish area, has been identified as an excellent candidate for ancient woodland restoration. Softwood conifer production is scaling down as the forest moves back to native woodland and productive broadleaves.
Plan objectives
- continue softwood sawlog production and potential for hardwood production
- establish diverse woodland above the A82 and the Corrychurrachan catchment to increase stability of the upper slopes and reduce the risk of flooding and landslips
- prioritise larch removal and windblow clearance over the next 10 years (phases 1 and 2)
- restore and maintain the valuable fen habitat in Glenrigh
- restore high ecological Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) to native woodland
- develop a mixed woodland around the communities of Inchree and Birchbrae to enhance recreation experience
- explore opportunities for woodland creation
- Restore high ecological potential PAWS areas to native woodland
- Transition from non-native conifers to productive broadleaves, especially oak and sycamore, and Scots pine
Have your say
Please see below for the Nether Lochaber LMP scoping brief and related maps which give further background information on the environmental, cultural and social factors that will shape the plan and influence the landscape design.
A public consultation was held at the Nether Lochaber Parish Church on 23 January 2025. FLS will be hosting a second in-person consultation once the draft felling and restocking coupes have been proposed and agreed upon internally. We welcome additional comments outside of these in-person events; please use the email address below to get in touch.
Timeline
- summer 2024: internal scoping
- autumn/winter 2024: site analysis, stakeholder engagement and concept development
- winter/spring/summer 2025: consultation on concept
- winter/spring 2026: finalise plans proposals based on consultation
- spring 2026: submission to Scottish Forestry for approval
- summer 2026: plan formally approved
Get in touch
If you would like further information or have any questions about this plan, please contact: enquiries.west@forestryandland.gov.scot