Torrs Warren Land Management Plan

The 207 hectare land management unit at Torrs Warren is located between Stranraer and Newton Stewart, some 4 km West of Glenluce, in Dumfries and Galloway. It is part of Scotland's national forests and land, owned by Scottish Ministers on behalf of the people of Scotland and managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).

The current land management plan identifies management objectives and sets out our operations over a ten year period. The successful delivery of this plan will contribute to the objectives of FLS's Corporate Plan, as well as the priorities, objectives and vision of Scotland's Forestry Strategy. 

The plan was developed in accordance with the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) and has been approved Scottish Forestry. The UKFS is the benchmark for sustainable forestry practice and the Scottish Government is committed to its use. 

The land management plan and supporting maps are available to download below. 

Long term vision

For the pine plantations of Torrs Warren and Drochduil: to retain plantation for aesthetics and coastal amenity, gradually transitioning over time to a climax vegetation community of semi-natural coastal heath under an open oak and birch woodland. The blocks will continue to offer local community and visitor access through a network of informal paths, forest roads and core footpath.

For Dunragit: gradual conifer removal and conversion to permanent broadleaf woodland, providing a woodland backdrop to the village that also showcases the features of a regionally significant Non-Inventory Designed Landscape.

Management objectives

1. Manage Luce Sands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as per the designated site management plan
2. Manage Round Dounan and Droughdool Mote Scheduled Monuments (SM) as per the regional asset management plan
3. Encourage / continue the phased restoration of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands (ASNW) in the Dunragit block to increase biodiversity and strengthen linkages to external ASNW fragments
4. Retain access and provide a quality experience for communities / visitors by maintaining the existing recreational resource (enhancing where / when resources allow)
5. Manage modest scale sustainable timber production through wider use of a range of silvicultural management

Summary of planned operations

• Felling = 3 ha
• Potential thinning = 177 ha
• Restocking = 42 ha
• Afforestation = 0 ha
• Deforestation = 0 ha
• Forest roads (new) = 0 ha
• Forest quarries (existing) = 0 ha

Designations and significant features

• Loch of Inch and Torrs Warren Special Protection Area (SPA) and Luce Sands SSSI
• Droughdool Mote SM and Round Dounan SM
• Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites
• Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere

• Torrs Warren LMP (PDF)
• Location map (PDF)
• Management map (PDF)
• Thinning map (PDF)
• Future habitats and species map (PDF)