Loch Eck land management plan

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The Loch Eck Land Management Plan area was approved by Scottish Forestry on 27th July 2020, following consultation with a range of stakeholders and will be due for revision in 2030.

The plan area lies between Dunoon to the south and Strachur to the north and covers an area of 1912ha along both shores of the loch. The LMP area is located within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the extensive mixed woodlands set in a rugged landscape have high a visual impact. The A815 trunk road runs down the eastern shore of the loch offering fine views of the steep slopes of the western side. Loch Eck itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the area is part of the Argyll red squirrel stronghold and has significant amounts of ancient semi natural woodland.

Conservation and enhancement of the natural environment are key elements of the Loch Eck plan. Timber production will also remain important and the plan presents details of felling and restocking in the first 10 years of plan approval.

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Land Management Plan update 2024

Since 2020, a large number of Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs) have been issued by Scottish Forestry (SF) within Loch Eck due to the disease Phytophthora ramorum. The spread of the disease has prompted a large number of amendments to the approved felling coupes in the area in order to fell larch and attempt to stop the disease spreading. However, the rapid spread has increased the number of SPHNs in the forest block where the majority of the larch is now infected.
As a consequence, a block amendment has been submitted to Scottish Forestry to gain approval for felling all the larch and associated species within the 5 years of the existing plan period with several key benefits:
  • it will allow FLS to plan felling operations in advance of SPHNs being issued and expedite the delivery of SPHN felling
  • it allows the removal of larch across the entire forest to be planned in a holistic manner
  • it will help reduce the administrative burden on FLS and SF of submitting and approving multiple amendments for different SPHNs issued over the block
  • it increases the transparency of FLS plans and operations compared to submitting multiple smaller amendments, which would not necessarily be placed on the Scottish Forestry Public Register
The amendment proposes new or reshaped felling coupes where the Larch species are present, and other coupes where larch species were absent have been delayed t to ensure that the felling remains sustainable. This felling work has been ongoing since start of the disease and will continue to ensure above objectives. The restock would mainly remain as proposed on current approved LMP.
A copy of to the amended felling phases can be found below. A map of the extend of the SPHNs is also available below.
Please note that the coupes marked in red (phase1) and orange (phase 2) are the proposed coupes to be felled within the 5 remaining years period of the Land Management Plan.  

Get in touch

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

Email: enquiries.central@forestryandland.gov.scot