The Glen Roy Land Management Plan is currently being revised; the new LMP, once finalised and approved, will cover a 10 year period from 2024 to 2034. 

The initial scoping stage analyses the issues and constraints to be considered for its management and proposes objectives and priorities, short and long term, which will inform the preparation of the LMP for the next 10 years. 

Glen Roy forest extends to 1,792 ha and covers open ground and forest, of which 478 ha has tree cover (389 ha under conifers and 89 ha broadleaves). The open ground surrounding the woodland is owned by FLS but is subject to grazing by two crofting associations (Inveroy Crofters’ and Bohuntine Crofters’). The land was purchased in 1959 from two separate owners and the original planting took place between 1964 and 1977; some of the commercial planting is now second rotation. 

The forest is primarily commercial conifers, with some extent of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland (ASNW) and Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) and it lies within the Parallel Roads of Lochaber SSSI. A major amendment was approved in 2021 for the eastern part of the main forest block. 

Approximately 74% of the land holding is open ground and under crofting tenure. Some 21% of the remaining land is forested, dominated by Sitka spruce and Lodgepole pine. There is a relatively small component of broadleaved species, most of which is ASNW or PAWS. 

Commercial conifer production remains the prime objective in this forest but protection of ASNW; restoration of PAWS; establishment of riparian broadleaved woodland; creation of woodland edge habitat; restoration and management of peatland and protection of the designated Parallel Roads features are also key objectives. 

Draft Land Management Plan Objectives 

1. To maintain the productive timber potential of the forest, while improving diversity in species and age structure
2. Protect the existing ASNW and minimise browsing pressure
3. Restore high / medium ecological potential PAWS to native woodland; remove mature non-native conifers from the PAWS along the Roy River, possibly through Fell to Recycle
4. Where feasible, produce productive broadleaves from non-PAWS areas and PAWS of low ecological potential
5. Encourage natural regeneration and successional development of native broadleaves in riparian zones
6. Enhance habitat and landscape quality by diversifying the forest margin through restocking and allowing natural regeneration to develop softer margins
7. Assess peat areas and undertake peatland restoration or development of peat edge broadleaved woodland where appropriate
8. Construct an access road to the coupes in the NW of the forest, creating a road line that minimises gulley crossings and protects landscape and environmental features 

Timeline 

• Mid-August – end September 2023: Public consultation on the LMP Scoping Brief
• 31 August 2023: Drop-in Consultation Event at Roy Bridge Memorial Hall, 3pm to 6pm
• March – April 2024: Public Consultation on the draft LMP
• End April 2024: Submission of final draft LMP to Scottish Forestry for consideration 

Documents and maps

• Glen Roy LMP Scoping Brief
• Map 1 - Location
• Map 2 - Analysis
• Map 3 - Concept