Forestry and Land Scotland welcomes visitors back to Glenmore Forest Park
As visitors begin to make a welcome return to Glenmore to enjoy the area and contribute to local businesses recovery, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is advising members of the public that whilst most of Glenmore Forest Park will be fully open, some FLS-managed areas of forest will continue to be out of bounds for some time.
Although the area has reopened (7 August), there continue to be public safety risks, from remaining hotspots and from potentially hazardous trees and unstable ground.
The Allt Ban and Allt Mor car parks, and the Ryvoan Trail (including access to An Lochan Uaine / the Green Lochan) and the Lodge Trail, will remain shut for the foreseeable future until FLS has been able to properly assess damage and carry out remediation work to make the area safe for access.
Paul Hibberd, FLS’ Regional Visitor Services Manager for the area, said;
“Thanks to the phenomenal effort from everyone involved, Glenmore is beginning to re-open and there will be many places – and local businesses - that visitors will be able to access.
“However, members of the public should be very aware that the fire itself may not be fully out for some time. We still have a lot of work to do to make our forest safe for visitors, including chainsaw work on trees.
“We will also be using heavy machinery along the emergency firebreaks that we constructed to help stop the fire line’s progress. This work includes felling dangerous trees and repairing the tracks.
“Visitors should take heed of all signage and stay out of restricted areas.”
Given the urgent circumstances and need for immediate action, those trees were not felled with the planned care, due attention and diligence that is FLS’ usual practice.
Consequently, there might well be unstable trees, along with potentially hazardous fire-damaged trees, owing to ground made unstable by the fire, or by water bombing. Water bombing might also have broken some tree limbs, which will also need to be assessed and made safe as required.
Mr Hibberd, added;
“We have placed warning signage at the main access points to our forest and we have prepared a map which shows the area that is closed for access.
“For your own safety and for the safety of FLS staff and remaining emergency services workers, please do not go into this area or fly drones into this area.”
Although some areas will remain closed for some time, Loch Morlich, Lochside, and the Loch Morlich beach, Hayfield and Sugarbowl car parks will be open. Many local businesses are also now open again but we would encourage visitors to the area to check ahead of travelling.
The beach trail, Loch Morlich trail and Pine Knoll trail will be open, as well as the beach toilets.
Access to the summit of Meall a’ Bhuachaille will be possible from Glenmore Visitor Centre (return the same way). Hill access will also be possible via the Sugarbowl car park and the Chalamain Gap.
Notes to editors
- Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
- Media enquiries to media@forestryandland.gov.scot