Members of the public are invited to comment on a draft land management plan that Forestry and Land Scotland has prepared for the Clashindarroch area, south west of Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

As well as including the Clashindarroch Forest, the plan covers Brown hill and the Darroch Wids sites of Coynachie, Merdrum and Black Middens and incorporates the recent acquisitions of Ittingstone, Culdrain and Mains of Lesmore.

Mark Reeve, for the Forestry and Land Scotland team that looks after the Clashindarroch Forest, said;

“The main purpose of the plan is to set out how we manage Clashindarroch and surrounding woodlands over the next ten years.

“One focus will be the production of a sustainable quality crop of timber but the plan also concerns itself with managing riparian corridors to improve biodiversity, restoring non-forest habitats, woodland creation and how we manage existing recreational facilities.

“We know how much local people and visitors to the area love these forests so we want to make sure that we take into account as many views as possible before we finalise our plans.”

The consultation is open from now until Fri 16^th August and a public consultation drop-in session will be held in the Stewarts Hall, Huntly on 31^st July (1pm until 6.30pm).

Anyone wishing to look over the proposals and comment ahead of the consultation meeting can view the plans online.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.