We have now submitted our draft proposals for forest and land management for the next ten years to forestry regulator Scottish Forestry for assessment and approval. The documents and maps that comprise this draft Land Management Plan (LMP) are detailed below and are available to view or download from this list.

As part of their approvals process, Scottish Forestry (SF) consider the implications of the draft Plan’s proposals against the UK Forestry Standard as well as placing the draft Plan on their online Public Register for a further 28-day consultation period – when anyone is able to make representation to SF regarding any aspect of the Plan’s objectives or specific actions that they wish to comment upon. SF’s Public Register is here.

The new draft LMP covers our intended management of an area of 9,678 hectares in the vicinity of Fort Augustus, Glenmoriston and on the north-western and western flanks of Loch Ness (see Location Map 1 below) and seeks to address issues around the following:

• management of productive conifer woodland;
• ancient and riparian native woodland restoration;
• wider habitat management;
• conservation of scheduled and designated features in the Plan area;
• consideration of adaptation and the resilience of habitats and species to climate change.

Our goal is to ensure these forests and open ground are managed in as practical and effective a manner as possible for broad social, economic and environmental benefit.

At initial public notification of LMP renewal (see ‘Timeline’ below), a formative Plan Brief document was produced summarising our general ambition - and some of the key issues likely to influence objectives during the Plan revision process. This original Plan Brief document is still available below for initial context.

Whilst the draft Plan’s revision is complete – and its consideration and eventual approval now in the hands of the regulator - FLS would be happy to hear from any interested parties wishing to make comment, or to request clarification, with regard to the draft LMP. Please send any correspondence to us using the contact details at the bottom of this page. 

Timeline

• April 2024: External Scoping – included notification of LMP revision to local and statutory stakeholders, neighbouring estates and community organisations.
• May - June: Follow up on external stakeholder consultation, local neighbour consultation where requested and development of early draft LMP.
• 13 June: Public meeting held in Glenmoriston Millennium Hall to present formative forest plan objectives and to garner further local opinion and feedback.
• 14 November: Finalised draft LMP submitted to Scottish Forestry (SF).
• 18 November: LMP placed on SF’s Public Register (28-day consultation period).
• Mid- December: SF review of public/stakeholder feedback in ongoing consideration of draft LMP.
• End of December 2024: Anticipated approval of draft LMP – dependent upon satisfactory resolution of any identified deficiencies and requested changes by SF.

Documents and maps

• Land Management Plan Revision Brief (April 2024)
• Fort Augustus LMP
• Map 1 - Location and Viewpoints
• Map 2 - Key Issues and Challenges | Map 2 Accessible Text
• Maps 3a and 3b - Analysis and concept | Maps 3a and 3b Accessible Text
• Maps 4a and 4b - Management Proposals including roads and quarries 
• Maps 5a and 5b - Thinning Coupes
• Maps 6a and 6b - Future Habitats - Restocking Proposals
• Maps 7a and 7b - Future Habitats and Species (long term)
• Maps 8a and 8b - Current Woodland Composition
• Maps 9a and 9b – Soils and Peatland
• Maps 10a and 10b - Key Water Features
• Map 11 - Landscape Character and Issues | Map 11 Accessible Text
• Appendices 1 to 3 - Background Info, Consultation Record and EIA Screening
• Appendices 4 to 6 – Tolerance Table Restock Prescriptions Peatland Restoration
• Appendices 7 to 9 – Water and Deer and Feral Wild Pig – Management
• Appendix 10a – Landscape visualisations – Viewpoints 1 to 6
• Appendix 10b – Landscape visualisations – Viewpoints 7 to 12
• Appendix 11 – Key policies and Publications