Glencoe Lochan dam works mean access restrictions for visitors

Monday, 09 September 2019

Forestry and Land Scotland is advising visitors to Glencoe Lochan that some access restriction will soon be in place so that work can be done to repair the dam spillway.

Public access to the wider site will be maintained, with the car park and the Invercoe core path remaining open during the works. A new link path just below the main dam will also serve as a diversion and a new permanent part of the lochan paths.

Civil Engineers will begin work on 15 September to repair the leaky spillway in order to maintain public safety at the site and to nip any potentially more serious problems in the bud.

Andy Hunt, for Forestry and Land Scotland’s West Region team, said;

“This is one of our most frequently visited sites in the region and although the main path over the dam shall be closed for an extended period, there will only be temporary restrictions in effect on other sections.

“As well as the dam work we’ll take the opportunity to carry out other improvement works that we wouldn’t be able to do if the path is open - including further rhododendron removal, some thinning and some wider maintenance.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this might cause but we hope that visitors will appreciate that this disruption is necessary.

“We would strongly advise all visitors to observe and obey all site safety signage while work is going on.”

The works are due to be completed in January 2020 and the site reinstated and ready for full public access by spring 2020.

Notes to editors

  1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) was established as an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government on 1 April 2019, following completion of the devolution of forestry as a result of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018. It replaces Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  2. The purpose of FLS is to manage forests and land owned by Scottish Minsters in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; and delivers benefits for people and nature. FLS may manage other forested and non-forested land by arrangement, as set out in the Act.
  3. The primary focus of FLS, in delivering its purpose, is to support Scottish Ministers in their role as leaders of Sustainable Forest Management and Sustainable Development through their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
  4. www.forestryandland.gov.scot | www.twitter.com/ForestryLS
  5. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 0131 370 5059 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot