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The Cruach Benmore Strategic Larch Removal Plan was approved by Scottish Forestry on 28th January 2022 following consultation with a range of stakeholders and will be due for revision in 2027.

The plan area is located on the Cowal Peninsula, and comprises two areas, centred on OS grid reference NS 163839, separated by Strath Eachaig. The largest section lies between Holy Loch and Loch Long; the smaller is to the northwest between Glen Massan and Loch Eck. Most of the area has a south westerly aspect with often steep slopes, with maximum gradients in excess of 40%. There are large areas of open habitat around the summits. Lying within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the communities of Kilmun and Strone are immediate neighbours, and the forest also forms a prominent backdrop to views from Sandbank, Ardnadam, Dunoon, Gourock and Cove.

The woodlands of Cruach Benmore consists mainly of productive conifer species with some elements of broadleaves. The diversity of tree species is enhanced by Kilmun Arboretum and Benmore Botanic Gardens, which host tree collections of national importance. Larch species are found throughout the forest area; these are susceptible to the tree disease, Phytophthora ramorum, and large areas have already, or soon will be felled, due to infection and the serving of Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs). In response to the increasing prevalence of Phytophthora ramorum, Forestry and Land Scotland has created a 5 year strategic plan to pre-emptively remove larch, with the objective of slowing the rate of spread of the disease in the wider environment. This planned approach will allow Forestry and Land Scotland to be open and transparent about the future of the woodlands. As larch disappears from the landscape, alternative conifer and broadleaved species will be chosen to replace these, with reference to those species growing successfully in the Kilmun Arboretum.

Strategic larch plan documents and maps

Plan documentation to be used during consultation can be found at the links below.

Maps

Visualisations

These illustrate felling sequence and future restock/habitats from the key viewpoints shown in Map M01

Get in touch

If you would like further information or have any questions about this or any other land management plan in Central Region please contact:

email: enquiries.central@forestryandland.gov.scot