Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) will be hosting a drop in event at Callander Youth Project  on Tuesday 4^th April (2.30pm to 7pm) to give local resident an opportunity to find out more about its plans for forests in the Callander area.

The Callander Forest land management plan, which sets out how FLS intends to manage the local forests over the next 10 years, covers Coilhallan, Callander Crags and Milton Forests – that lie within the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park - as well as Torrie, which lies just outside the boundary.

Stephen Murphy, Planning Forester for FLS said

“The plan areas cover a range of forest management and habitat types that also have a varied landscape and social value. Our aims is to balance the requirements of each of these aspects but a key priority is a controlled removal of larch trees from the woodlands, to slow the spread of Phytophthora ramorum, a disease which rapidly kills infected trees.

“This felling work will have a noticeable impact on these woodlands in some places so the drop in event will be your chance to have a look over some maps, find our more from us about what’s planned and to also give us some feedback.

“We know that a lot of local people are interested in these woodlands so we’re looking forward to a good turn out on the day.”

• Callander Crags (152ha) consists of two small blocks, one to the north of Callander and one (Coilhallan) to the south. These woodlands have a high recreational and landscape value and there are extensive areas of plantation on ancient woodland.

• Milton (159ha) sits above Loch Venachar within the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. about half the area is covered by commercial, non-native conifer.

• The larger part of the 469ha Torrie Forest consists of commercial conifer, and presents opportunities for peatland restoration; the remainder consists of grazing land and new woodland consisting of various native and non-native broadleaved species, as well as non-native conifers such as Douglas fir and Norway spruce.

Maps which will be presented at the drop in event can be viewed online for anyone unable to make it the drop in event.

Notes to editors

1. 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.

2. forestryandland.gov.scot | twitter.com/ForestryLS

3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.