Forestry and Land Scotland are beginning the process of renewing their ten year Land Management Plan for Central Mull which comprises 4800 ha of land within four forests - Salen, Crannich, Aintuim and Lettermore. These lie in the centre of the Isle of Mull centred around Loch Frisa. The village of Dervaig lies to the north and Salen to the south of the forested area.

These forests are important not only for producing timber and providing important habitats for a wide variety of flora and fauna, but are also a valuable resource for both locals and visitors to the island. There are popular recreational routes especially within Lettermore block, enjoying the extensive opportunities for wildlife-watching in such a richly diverse area.

The southern area of the plan falls within the Local Authority Landscape area as demonstrated by fantastic views up the Sound of Mull and Loch Frisa.

Objectives

• Develop a strategy for the future management of existing poor quality crops in current rotation and increase rotation length where appropriate.
• Improve the long term sustainability of timber production by exploring opportunities for crops of varying quality into the next rotation; this will work towards future smoothing of the production forecast whilst incorporating the impact of peat restoration work on age restructuring.
• Work towards removing all larch from Mull within the next ten years by managed removal of prioritised larch areas, especially in Crannich, minimising the impact of future Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs) on the sustainable management of the forest.
• Review and improve both the choice of species and their provenance (in conjunction with ground condition suitability) and also diversification of species (within the constraints of high wind hazard classes impacting on the thinning potential of species other than Sitka Spruce/Lodgepole Pine (SS/LP)), to ensure sustainable timber production as the forests move into their next rotation.
• Ensure both forest road network and provision of quarries is suitable for future management via an achievable road programme, especially in Aintuim and Salen.
• Develop a strategy to reduce herbivore impact across the FLS estate.
• Develop large scale Peat Restoration project in Aintuim and enhance Open Habitats, especially in Lettermore & Crannich.
• Develop Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) restoration in Salen and Aintuim blocks, and develop habitat networks via woodland expansion to increase the percentage of broadleaves and subsequent biodiversity (including control of Exotic Invasive species at Salen).
• Management and protection of key species including considerable raptor interests across Mull (“Eagle Island” draws in high tourist numbers), and in addition the archaeological heritage of the area.
• Ensure water quality maintained in River Bellart water catchment (Aintuim).
• Maintain and enhance both views and existing recreation provision for the benefit of locals and increasingly large visitor numbers to Mull; focussed in Lettermore.
• Work with local communities and MICT, especially around Salen, supporting the large-scale tourism now dominating the local economy with subsequent high nature visitor numbers.

Timeline

• Summer 2021: Advertise start of plan renewal
• Autumn 2021: Public consultation planned; if COVID-19 regulations allow this will be face-to-face as opposed to an online Consultation
• 19 November 2021: Drop-in Public Consultation at Tobermory Church Hall, 2pm to 6pm
• Spring 2022: Following-up on stakeholder feedback; developing draft LMP proposals
• Winter 2022: Wider stakeholder consultation on draft LMP; refinement of draft Plan
• Spring 2023: Drawing together final LMP proposals
• Winter 2023/2024: Submission of LMP to Scottish Forestry for consideration

Documents and maps

• Location Map (PDF)
• Context Map 1 (PDF)
• Context Map 2 (PDF)
• Issues Map (PDF)
• Land Management Plan Brief (PDF)
• Consultation Feedback (PDF)

• Central Mull LMP Text
• Central Mull Appendices

• Map 1 - Roads
• Map 4 - Peat Overview
• Map 5 - Management
• Map 6 - Amenity
• Map 7 - Fire Resilience
• Map 8 - Species Map
• Map 9 - Context
• Map 10 - Operational Access
• Map 11 - Establishment
• Map 12 - Priority Habitats
• Map 13 - Formal Recreation
• Map 14 - Heritage Sites
• Map 15 - Water Supplies and Catchments
• Map 16 - Aintuim Visualisations
• Map 16 - Crannich Visualisations
• Map 16 - Lettermore Visualisations
• Map 16 - Salen Visualisations