Local residents asked for their views on Cologin Forest plan
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is inviting anyone living in and around Oban to give their views on a proposed ten-year management plan for Cologin Forest (2 miles south of Oban).
The new plan sets out how FLS intends to manage the woodland maintain timber supplies, diversify tree species to enhance the landscape and to carry out peatland restoration work.
Work has already begun on a new forest road network to provide the access needed for the proposed operations.
The new forest roads will also allow the FLS team to comply with a Statutory Plant Health Notice that requires the felling of all larch affected by tree disease Phytophthora ramorum.
Planning Forester, Roger Wilson, said;
“Developing this new plan is a chance for us to redesign the forest to make it more resilient in years to come.
“There are a lot of issues to think about with the plan. As well as balancing sustainable timber production with improvements to the forest’s visual amenity and the recreational trails, we’re also having to think about how best we can remove the diseased trees in a way that will not impact on the reservoir and local water supplies.
“We are already discussing options with Scottish Water but it is another aspect of the management of this forest that many people will be interested in, so we want as many people as possible to give us feedback on the proposed plan.”
The plans are online and FLS staff will be on hand to discuss the plan at a drop-in event at Kilmore Village Hall on Tuesday 15 February (2 pm to 6 pm).
Anyone looking for more information can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The consultation will run until Thursday 30 June.
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.
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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.