Blairadam Forest land management plan

To meet the UK Forestry Standard, this plan sets out proposals to be undertaken by Forestry and Land Scotland in Blairadam forest. The forest is shown on Map 1 and covers 1335.25 hectares. It is managed to deliver a broad range of public benefits but key objectives are listed below:

• Provide a sustainable supply of conifer and broadleaved timber products. 
• Maintain recreational assets and community engagement. 
• Diversify tree species and forest structure to increase forest resilience.   
• Restore priority open peat habitats.
• Gradually move to lower impact forest management systems in visitor zones, recognising the value of these areas for local communities and tourism. 
• Protect & enhance heritage assets, focusing on the designed landscapes linked to Blairadam Estate.
• Protect and enhance wildlife and hydrological assets. 
• Manage and mitigate impacts of tree pests and diseases (e.g. Phytophthora ramorum in larch). 
• Work in partnership to create woodland on vacant and derelict land. 

Timeline of this plan’s production

• April 2021: Internal scoping meeting to identify key considerations for next plan.
• January 2022 - July 2023: Baseline desk and field surveys, site meetings and drafting of plan.
• August 2023: Face-to-face community drop-in sessions.
• September 2023 - January 2024: Draft plan placed on FLS consultation webpage, assessment by internal teams, revisions and further consultation with stakeholders.
• January 2024: Final draft submitted to Forestry Regulator (Scottish Forestry). As part of the approval process, the plan was placed on Scottish Forestry’s public register for 28 days.
• November 2024: Plan approved

1. Summary of Proposals (PDF)
2. Main document (PDF)
3. Map 1 - Forest location and context (PDF)
4. Map 6 - Woodland management in visitor zones (PDF)
5. Map 9 - Future concept design (PDF)
6. Map 10a - Management coupes (PDF)
7. Map 10b - Ten year felling & thinning coupes (PDF)
8. Maps 11a & 11b - Future species & habitats and 10 year proposals (PDF)
9.  Map 13 – Operational access & timber haulage (PDF)
10. Map 14 – Woodland creation (PDF)
11. Map annotations text (PDF)

Note: To see the Appendices and additional supporting maps referenced in the Main Document please contact Central Region using the e-mail address below.