Forestry and Land Scotland are beginning the process of renewing their ten-year Land Management Plan (LMP) to determine future management proposals for the South Knapdale LMP, which comprises 4235ha of land within three forest blocks – Coulaghailtro, Torinturk and Meall Mhor.

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.  

The South Knapdale area of Argyll is located north of the Kintyre peninsula and south of the Crinan Canal. The area of the LMP extends no further than the shores of West Loch Tarbert at its lower extent and Artilligan Cottage at its upper extent. The B8024 envelops the LMP area, linking it to Tarbert and the A83.

Commercial conifer production remains the prime objective in these forests whilst exploring opportunities to restructure both productive conifer species and age plus protection of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland (ASNW); restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodlands Sites (PAWS) of high and medium ecological potential; establishment and strengthening of riparian broadleaved woodland; restoration of Atlantic rainforest areas; creation of woodland edge habitat; and restoration of peatland are also key objectives.

Drop-in consultation event

• Tuesday 3 December 2024, 3pm-7.30pm, Tarbert Village Hall, Campbeltown Road, Tarbert

Objectives

1. Rationalise and identify core areas of good quality timber with existing access. Ensure replanting to maximise diversity of species during restock.
2. Restructure coupes to consider appropriate scale of the land, landform and efficiency of site operations.
3. Sustainable road construction: Construct and upgrade roads only where necessary for the purpose of this plan period.
4. Review, protect and restore high and medium ecological potential Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWs) through removal of invasive species, halo thinning, deer management and establish native broadleaf trees to aid temperate rainforest habitat restoration.
5. Riparian and Priority Open Habitat: Remove invasive non-native species and manage deer numbers to enable natural regeneration and natural successional development of native broad leaf species to occur along riparian habitats. Natural regen and over grazing to be managed to maintain priority open habitat.
6. Ensure the buffer around Scheduled Monuments (SMs) and other sites of local heritage interests are managed.
7. Identify water sources and catchments, protect during harvesting and restock with appropriate plant species and carefully consider coupe design.
8. Maximise opportunities to integrate FLS forest blocks with adjacent landscape to enable and promote habitat connectivity e.g consider forest edge design, riparian corridors and temperate rainforest habitat. Where appropriate consider working in Partnership with landowners and the wider community.
9. Where appropriate restructure and consolidate forests in the vicinity of utilities to minimise disruption to forest operations and access.
10. Review the age structure of the forest in exposed areas and consider felling coupe design and subsequent restock design and species mix.

Timeline

• Spring/summer 2024: initial surveys
• Autumn 2024: scoping
• Winter 2024: initial community consultation on the scoping brief
• Winter 2024: additional surveys
• Winter 2025: design proposals
• Winter/Spring 2025: preparation of draft LMP and further community and statutory consultation on the draft LMP
• Spring/Summer 2025: submission of final draft LMP to Scottish Forestry for consideration

Documents and maps

• South Knapdale LMP brief
• South Knapdale LMP location map
• Coulaghailtro issues and objectives map | Coulaghailtro issues and objectives map - accessible text
• Torinturk issues and objectives map | Torinturk issues and objectives map - accessible text
• Meall Mhor issues and objectives map | Meall Mhor issues and objectives map - accessible text