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Public urged to play their part in reducing incidences of wildfire

Friday, 09 June 2023

Forestry and Land Scotland has joined with SFRS in urging anyone who is planning to visit the countryside to help save lives by exercising extreme caution. The call comes as fire crews, foresters and a host of land management partners tackle wildfires across Scotland that are placing people at significant risk, either those at the scenes of fires or members of the public who rely on a swift respo...

Ryvoan Pass recovery from deer damage

Friday, 09 June 2023

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has recreated a 1984 photo of the Ryvoan Pass overlooking the Green Lochan to document the impact of deer management over the past 30 years.  The 1984 image was taken by George Dey, a forester who donated his collection of photos to the University of Aberdeen.  The caption on the photo states: “Lovely high view of the Green Loch at Glenmore Forest. ...

Glentress Masterplan trails off limits until September

Thursday, 08 June 2023

Mountain bikers hoping for a sneak preview of the new Glentress Masterplan trails that are facilitating the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championship event in Aug, are to be disappointed after the hot, dry weather – and safety concerns - has resulted in the UCI team asking that the trails remain closed prior to the event. The call comes after trail-builders, On Track, advised Forestry and Land Scotla...

Forestry and Land Scotland begins to prepare for Dunardry felling

Thursday, 08 June 2023

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is starting preliminary preparations for a major felling operation at Dunardry Hill, Knapdale. Although harvesting is not due to begin on the 40ha site until late summer 2023, the fact that it is a National Scenic Area, is well used by local residents and is located immediately next to the road to Crinan and the Crinan Canal, means that the team has a unique set o...

Views sought on ten-year plan for Goatfell woodland

Wednesday, 07 June 2023

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is inviting people living in and around Brodick to give their views on a how Merkland Forest is to be managed over the next ten years. Merkland Forest (681ha), on the southern and eastern slopes of Goatfell, is a productive conifer forest that provides a backdrop to Brodick on the isle of Arran and is a major landscape feature in the view from the ferry on arrival...

Lochan drained by faulty sluice gate

Tuesday, 06 June 2023

Forestry and Land Scotland has reassured members of the public that the Glen Coe Lochan is refilling following a sluice gate block, last week. Concerns were raised when visitors to the lochan were distressed to see that the water had drained away leaving a muddy hollow. The incident occurred during a routine check of the mechanism controlling the sluice gate on the dam at the lochan. The check i...

Forest visitors urged to follow safety signage

Monday, 05 June 2023

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is urging members of the public to adhere to warning and safety signage to avoid putting themselves in danger from being crushed by trees, machinery or being ‘shot’ by broken chain links from chainsaws or harvesters.  The call comes as the organisation records significant increase in reports from worried staff and contractors regarding incursions onto liv...

The unsung heroes of Scotland’s forests: tree stumps, creepy crawlies and more

Sunday, 04 June 2023

Scotland’s forests are home to some of our most beloved species: red squirrels, Scot’s pine, capercaillies and pine martens. These iconic creatures often take the spotlight when the subjects of biodiversity and conservation are discussed. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), which manages 640,000 hectares of Scotland’s forests, is calling for more attention and praise for the unsung heroes of...

FLS ranger assaulted over fire warning

Friday, 02 June 2023

Forestry and Land Scotland is calling for more to be done to highlight the responsibilities that go with  access rights after a ranger was assaulted for asking that a campfire be extinguished. The incident happened in Tentsmuir forest, which was affected last week (Thursday 25 May) by a wildfire - started by a campfire – that required SFRS crews from three areas to attend. Helicopter assis...

If you build ponds, they will come: Forestry and Land Scotland’s bid to boost dragonfly numbers

Thursday, 01 June 2023

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is teaming up with the British Dragonfly Society to help protect and boost the population of some of the rarest dragonflies in the British Isles. Over 50 FLS sites are home to some of Britain’s rarest dragonflies. The new conservation partnership will focus on improving dragonfly habitat as a whole, but with a particular focus on six endangered or vulnerable sp...

A83 drone seeding underway

Wednesday, 31 May 2023

An estimated 20 million birch seeds have been scattered on the hillside above the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful thanks to Forestry and Land Scotland’s use of drone technology. The drone seeding is the latest phase in efforts by Forestry and Land Scotland, working with Transport Scotland, to reduce the likelihood of landslips on the notorious stretch of road. The technique – new to FLS - is ...

Cannich fire prompts demand for extreme caution

Tuesday, 30 May 2023

Forestry and Land Scotland is calling for visitors to exercise extreme caution as it works with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and neighbouring land owners to tackle a large wildfire near Cannich. The exact cause of the fire, which started on Tuesday of last week, is not yet known but has been associated with wild camping. SFRS appliances have been in attendance regularly over the p...