Ardgartan land management plan

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The Ardgartan Land Management Plan area was approved by Scottish Forestry on 2 February 2021, following consultation with a range of stakeholders and will be due for revision in 2031.

The plan area lies between Loch Goil and Loch Long, in Argyll, covering 3354ha, almost 60% of which is open hill ground. The remaining 1458ha of woodland are concentrated on the steep, often rocky, slopes which rise from the lochs to the summit of the Brack at 787m. Typically the treeline is between 300m and 350m elevation reaching to 450m in Coilessan Glen. The area is within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and forms part of the impressive backdrop to the entrance to the River Clyde.

Conifers for commercial timber production were first planted in the 1930s and, although a number of species are to be found, Sitka spruce dominates, covering 948ha (64% of the woodland area). Much of the woodland is now in its second rotation but some of the older stands remain, indeed over 80% of the woodland is over 30 years of age. There are also extensive areas of ancient semi-natural woodland and total broadleaved cover (including some non-native species) amounts to 236ha (16% of the woodland area).

Although timber production will remain an objective for the area another key aspiration is to enhance, restore and potentially extend the native woodlands. The latter will have positive impact on both landscape and recreation interest. To that end an amendment was submitted in 2025 to transition the whole of the western side of the peninsula to native, predominantly broadleaved, species. This amendment was consulted on widely and approved later in 2025 and, as such, some of the maps and visuals below have been updated.

Documents and maps

Text

Maps

Visualisations

Get in touch

If you would like further information or have any questions about this plan, please contact:

Email: enquiries.central@forestryandland.gov.scot