Safety reminder as essential timber supplies released

As the national effort to tackled the Coronavirus continues and local people visit local forests on foot, by bike or by wheelchair to take their daily exercise, Forestry and Land Scotland’s (FLS) is reminding the public that forest safety signs must still be obeyed.

The warning comes as the FLS team working Beinn Ghuilean forest (near Campbeltown) continue with their effort to contribute 700 tonnes of already felled timber to support the coronavirus effort.

FLS’ Communities and Visitor Services manager, Jo Maclean, said:

“Despite COVID-19 putting paid to our normal way of working, forestry still has a lot of work to do to support the frontline health teams.

“The timber that we have sitting on site will be turned in to biomass fuel that is used in many hospitals and care homes as a primary source of heating.

“It’s vital that we get this in to the system as soon as possible and to do this, we need to upgrade the forest road to deal with the timber lorries that will take it to the processors.

“There will be a lot of heavy machinery on site helping us with this essential work so we would urge members of the public to please heed all safety signage and to continue to keep well away from work zones at all times."

Felling work has not been completed on the site but has been postponed until later in the year when the current Coronavirus restrictions are lifted. 

FLS has previously advised that local forests are still open for visits from anyone who can reach them on foot, by bike or by wheelchair but that the public must maintain social distancing at all times.

Felling at Beinn Ghuilean started in January in order to tackle larch trees which have been infected by Phytophthora Ramorum. 

The diseased trees and those in the surrounding area are being felled to help slow down the spread of the disease. Access restrictions are in place from the Tomaig Road/Narrowfield entrance and as well as other locations near the work machinery.

There will be no through route and/or access along this route for the duration of operations.

Notes to editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland manages forests and land owned by Scottish Minsters 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 | www.twitter.com/ForestryLS
3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 0131 370 5059 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot