An iconic view of Loch Lomond is set to change dramatically, with trees being felled.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is holding drop-in sessions so people can find out more about plans to harvest 125,000 tonnes of timber from a hillside forest on the east bank of the loch.
Part of the ongoing work in the Ben Lomond Memorial Landscape, the long-term proposals for the site include removal of productive conifer and the retention – and regeneration – of native woodland.
Simon Turner, planning forester for FLS, said: “Set in the heart of the national park, Ptarmigan Forest is part of the iconic view of Loch Lomond and has the West Highland Way running through it.
“However, the trees have reached an age and a size where they are at increased risk of being blown over in high winds.
“The fact that the site has very steep slopes – with some potential landslip areas – and is surrounded by sensitive designated environmental sites, means that a storm event could have severe negative impacts on the environment, on habitats and on accessibility.
“It would also result in an extremely dangerous problem for our harvesting teams, who would have to clear the site.
“A better approach, given the complexity and difficulty of the site, is to fell these trees in a controlled programme. We have developed plans for how we could do this and are now looking to get some feedback on our proposals.”
FLS staff will be on hand to discuss the plan at drop-in events:
- Three Villages Hall, Shore Road, Arrochar, on Friday May 20 (4pm to 7pm)
- Balmaha Visitor Centre on Saturday May 21 (12pm to 4pm).
At the information sessions there will also be visualisations of the forthcoming strategic felling of larch at Cruach Tairbeirt, which is required to help slow the further spread of the tree disease Phytophthora Ramorum across the Cowal area.
For more information contact enquiries.central@forestryandland.gov.scot
The consultation will run until Monday June 13.
Forestry operations are not expected to being until 2024/25.
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