Loch Goil Forest is located around the village of Lochgoilhead in the Cowal Peninsula, within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The total plan area occupies 4119ha of coniferous forest, broadleaved woodland and open hill.

This is a 5-year plan developed to undertake a structured removal of Larch spp. from the Loch Goil plan area to minimise the spread of Phytophthora ramorum. It succeeds the plan approved in 2010. Loch Goil Forest has been severely affected by P.ramorum infection in Larch spp., resulting in numerous Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHN) which has and will necessitate widespread felling. The intention is to create a robust plan to remove Larch spp. from Loch Goil Forest and establish the permission to carry out this work, both in response to SPHNs already served and proactively in the remaining forest. A revised 10 year plan will be produced to succeed this one which will cover the future forest in greater detail.

Location

The plan area is centred around the village of Lochgoilhead at Ordnance Survey grid reference NN 199 016. A location map can be found in the link below.

Timeline

Initial communications around this plan first took place in July 2022, with a public drop-in event held in Lochgoilhead Village Hall highlighting the spread of Phytophthora ramorum and the forest management solutions that would result from this.

We now have draft proposals ready for wider and more detailed consultation with stakeholders. Stakeholders will have 28 days to respond as part of this stage of consultation, between 3 April 2024 and 2 May 2024.

Following this consultation period, a final draft plan will be produced taking into consideration comments and feedback received. This final draft will be submitted to Scottish Forestry for comment, following which it will be placed their Public Register for 28 days for final consultation.

Documents and maps

Draft plan documentation to be used during this consultation period can be found at the links below.

Text

• Full text of the plan

Appendices to the plan

• Appendix II Table of Operations
• Appendix III List of Heritage Features
• Appendix IV Deer Management Plans

Maps

• Map A Analysis of Previous Plan – shows the areas felled during the previous plan period, and illustrates areas of Larch spp. and windblow for context
• Map B Concept, Issues and Opportunities – Briefly outlines the key issues and rationale behind the proposals in this plan
• M01 Location and Viewpoints – shows the plan area in its geographical context, and indicates significant viewpoints as illustrated in the Visualisations
• M02 SPHNs and Larch – Illustrates the location of SPHNs served in the Loch Goil area up to 2023, and shows the distribution of Larch spp. for context
• M03 Current Species – Shows the current species mix in the forest
• M04 Felling and Thinning – Shows the proposed clearfell and thinning coupes for this plan period, as well as those already approved and ongoing
• M05 Future Habitats – Shows the long term change in species composition in the forest after felling an restocking has taken place
• M06 Roads, Access and Haulage – Shows the existing and proposed new forest road network, and the amount of timber haulage associated with each entrance location during this plan period
• M07 Designations – Shows the heritage and conservation designations in the area
• M08 Recreation – Shows the main areas for recreational activities in and around the forest
• M09 Utilities – Shows location of major infrastructure and related features including electricity and drinking water

Visualisations

These illustrate felling sequence and future restocking/habitats from key viewpoints. The locations of viewpoints are indicated in Map M01.

• Ben Donich Summit
• Strath Goil West
• Strath Goil East
• Golf Course
• Car Park

Get in touch

For further information or to submit comments please contact:

Email: enquiries.central@forestryandland.gov.scot

Post: Central Region, Aberfoyle Office, Aberfoyle FK8 3UX.