Glenachulish Land Management Plan

Glenachulish forest covers 1,121 ha of commercial conifer plantation, native broadleaved woodland and open ground, extending from sea level to an elevation of 1,020 metres. It sits within a National Scenic Area and is highly visible in the landscape, especially from the northern and eastern approaches. The forest is well used for recreation - it is a key access route to nearby Munros and forest roads and tracks are used regularly by walkers, trail and mountain bike riders. 

Much of the forested area is Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) and there are significant areas of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) on higher slopes and along watercourses. Many remnants of flora associated with ASNW remain, for example along watercourses and in boulder fields. Glenachulish is part of Scotland's rainforest network and lies close to existing native woodlands locally.

Key management objectives focus on restoration of native woodland across the whole forest; protection of ASNW remnants and veteran trees; some production of broadleaved timber in non PAWS areas; landscape and visual amenity; access and tree health.

The current commercial conifer crop will gradually be replaced by native broadleaves and Scots pine. The PAWS areas will be restored to native woodland through natural regeneration while elsewhere, some planting of site- appropriate locally native species will enhance the diversity of species.

Successful establishment of young trees will depend on effective reduction of browsing pressure and on control of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) such as Rhododendron, other non-native species. Some Norway spruce will be retained for longer in the north west of the forest, to benefit red squirrels. Where possible, in small areas out with the PAWS/ASNW areas, stands will be managed as productive broadleaves and Scots pine where conditions are suitable.

Restocking proposals will aim to protect steep slopes and conserve soils, while diversifying the species composition and age structure of the forest. The main focus for felling in the first 10 years will be to tackle the steep slopes in the north west of the forest and to maximise the removal of larch through the harvesting programme, in response to the threat of Phytophthora ramorum. See main image for an indicative visualisation of what the tree cover may look like in 2033.

A further priority is to protect veteran native trees and areas of highest ecological value. Where possible, the riparian zones around watercourses will be opened up by careful tree removal ahead of clear felling the conifer stand, where this will not compromise stand stability. This will help protect veteran trees and prevent shock when the adjacent trees are removed, as well as improving light conditions for the ground flora, which includes many ASNW remnants. 

Much of the forest is on extremely steep ground and is highly visible in the landscape, providing a strong contribution to the local landscape character and a backdrop to the more developed coastal margin.

NatureScot has produced a national map-based  Landscape Character Assessment for Scotland (LCT) . LCT descriptions provide a list of key characteristics, and typically include sections on physical, cultural and aesthetic elements of landscape.

The LMP area encompasses two very distinct LCT areas: Lochs With Settled Edges (LCT 234) and Mountain Massif (LCT 233). Glenachulish forest extends from the relatively flat landscape between steep loch sides and open water and the sweeping landscape form of the mountain massif, dominated by the mountain horseshoe of Beinn a’Bheithir (mountain of the thunderbolt) that includes two Munro summits (Sgorr Dhonuil and Sgorr Dhearg).

Dense commercial forest, mixed and broadleaved woodland along sections of the loch edge provide a sense of enclosure, which contrasts with the expansive views across the loch. However, most of the LMP area is characterised as Mountain Massif – grey craggy peaks of vast and imposing scale with concave slopes of steep, smooth rock faces that plummet into glaciated valleys with dense patches of coniferous woodland along the base and sides of glens.

Almost all of the LMP area lies within the Ben Nevis and Glencoe National Scenic Area (NSA). NSAs are defined in legislation as being:

of outstanding scenic value in a national context

They are designated by NatureScot and are protected by national and local planning policy. Click   here   to learn more about NSAs.

The Glen Etive and Glen Fyne Special Protected Area (SPA) covers the open hill ground and extends into the forested zones in places; operations in the upper zones of the forest may impact on priority species on which the designation is based. SPAs are designated to protect rare, threatened or vulnerable bird species in a European context, and are protected by national and local planning policies.

A small non-commercial part of the forest lies within the Kentallen geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the St John’s Church geological SSSI lies adjacent to the forest on the shores of Loch Leven.

The forest lies close to and just South of, the Onich and Ballachulish Woods and Shore SSSI / SAC, which is designated partly for the presence of western acidic oak woodland and upland mixed ash woodland. Carnach SSSI Wood lies to the East of Glenachulish. This is a wet woodland comprising ash-alder and associated species that has developed on basic flushed soils. Both woodlands are important components of Scotland's rainforest.

 SSSI  are designated by NatureScot and identify sites where plants, animals, rocks and rockforms are of particular interest in reflecting natural heritage.

Glenachulish forest contains some valuable Ancient Semi-Natural Origin (ASNO) remnants and extensive areas of Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), much of which has high ecological value due to the presence of ancient woodland remnants that have survived along the frequent burn sides and boulder fields - this is rainforest biodiversity.

Once restored, the forest can make a valuable contribution to the network of Scotland's rainforest remnants in this part of the West coast of Scotland. Red squirrels have been observed at the forest margins. Various priority bird species including Golden eagle and Black grouse are found on the open hill.

Scotland's temperate rainforest, also known as Atlantic woodland or Celtic rainforest, is a unique habitat of ancient and native woodland, open glades, boulders, crags, ravines and river gorges. These areas are rich in lichens, fungi, mosses, liverworts and ferns.

Temperate rainforest can only be found where there is a high level of rainfall, year-round mild temperatures and clean air. This is a rare habitat – these climate conditions cover less than 1% of the planet!

In Europe, temperate rainforest can be found on the Atlantic coastlines of Britain, Ireland, Norway, France and Spain. But the best rainforest habitat in all of Europe is found in Scotland. Where the influence of the Atlantic ocean is strongest, the effect is termed 'hyper-oceanic' - these conditions are found across the central part of NW Scotland, as well as some areas of the Borders, the Lake District, north Wales and SW England. As well as climate, the rainforest also needs very clean air for oceanic bryophytes and lichens to thrive, which is one reason why Scotland still holds onto its rainforest.

In Scotland, only around 30,000 ha of rainforest is left – an area slightly bigger than Edinburgh - these sites have retained their rainforest biodiversity. Scotland’s rainforests face a multitude of threats and are a priority for protection, expansion and management. For more information click  here .

Click on each arrow to reveal the viewpoint image. Double click on each photo to enlarge it.

Viewpoint 1: View of the North - facing slopes from the disused pier at Rubha na h-Oitire.

Viewpoint 2: The NE facing slopes can be seen clearly from the picnic area next to Onich service station. The peaks of the Munros (Sgorr Dhonuill and Sgorr Dhearg) forming the recognisable horseshoe shape of Beinn a' Bheithir loom above the forest and dominate the landscape.

Viewpoints 3 and 4: More intimate views of the lower and mid slopes around the Abhainn Greadhain river, as well as the upper slopes, can be seen from the B863 Kinlochleven road turn-off and from the Ballachulish Bridge.

Viewpoint 5: Lower slopes seen from the A828 close to the Ballachulish Hotel.

Viewpoint 6: From the B863, East of Rubh 'Aird Daraich. Views of the eastern part of the forest including the smaller second glen of the Allt Giubhsachain river draining down from Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Bhan. Significant remnants of ASNW cloak the hillside, with montane scrub reaching high elevations.

Viewpoint 7: From further along the B863 looking towards the north eastern part of the forest.

Access through the forest and to the Munros will be maintained. FLS will work with various user groups including mountain and trail bike representatives to ensure that activities remain compatible with safe forestry operations. A 0.5 MW Hydro scheme on the Abhainn Greadhain is being taken forward by the community. Forestry operations will accommodate and protect the intake and wayleaves for the scheme.

Although the forest road infrastructure is in place, several of the roads require upgrade while some are not suitable for upgrade. Landslips have damaged some sections of road, much of which has been reinstated and extended to provide access for the Hydro Scheme. The upper road will be reinstated to allow access to felling coupes.

Much of the forested area is on steep ground and various areas that remain to be felled will require winch extraction. Some steep working areas lie above the A82 and A828 roads, residential properties, forest roads, public footpaths or the Sustrans cycle route. Further geotechnical surveys will be undertaken before forestry operations commence in these challenging areas.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Restoration of the native woodland and associated habitats will happen over a long period of time, although significant changes will be seen over the next 10 to 20 years. Lower slopes will be colonised by oak and birch, with other species such as aspen, hazel, rowan, holly and bird cherry forming part of the canopy and understorey. Some naturally regenerating ash may also develop in places, if trees prove resistant to Chalara.

Eventually, on upper slopes, commercial conifer stands will be replaced by birch and Scots pine, with rowan, hawthorn and other native species able to tolerate the more exposed conditions. Riparian woodland of alder, willow and downy birch will develop along watercourses. Native trees and shrubs will regenerate onto the open hill, creating a scattered woodland at higher elevations that transitions into open ground, providing ideal habitat for iconic birds of prey such as the Golden eagle as well as ground nesting birds and various mammals.

High numbers of deer (mainly Red with some Roe) in the area are not compatible with successful establishment of young trees. Successful reduction in browsing pressure through deer control and preventing livestock incursion is an essential requirement for the success of our Plan. A new livestock fence will be constructed along the march of Glenachulish forest and the FLS land at adjacent Lagnaha, to prevent livestock movement into the forest. The strategic deer fence that runs from Brecklet to Glen Creran will be maintained and in time. replaced. Deer culling will increase, with the aim of reducing deer density to a maximum 2-3 deer / km2.

Safe harvesting and extraction of timber from the steep and challenging slopes, particularly in the NW section and above the A82 in the NE section, will require extraction by winch, protection of slopes during operations and careful traffic and access management.

Various non-native invasive species have invaded the forest, particularly Rhododendron. This grows rapidly and outcompetes native plants and trees, creating very poor growing conditions for desirable species. Japanese knotweed is growing along the Sustrans track and Pheasant berry (Himalayan honeysuckle) is also present in places. Control of these invaders is essential to allow native woodland to develop.

Natural regeneration of native broadleaves and Scots pine may take longer to establish than planted trees and during the establishment phase, young trees must compete with vegetation growth and seeding in of non-native species. Already, felled coupes are filling up with regeneration from surrounding conifer stands - this regeneration must be controlled if the slower growing natives are to survive the faster growing Sitka spruce and Western hemlock. All non-native conifers, especially the Sitka spruce regeneration that has spread on higher slopes, must be removed eventually during felling activity. A small area of Norway spruce in the NW part of the forest will be retained, to provide continuity of habitat for Red squirrels.

Forestry and Land Scotland is the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing Scotland’s national forests and land. Our mission is to look after Scotland’s forests and land, for the benefit of all, now and for the future.

We manage the national forests and land in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry, conserves and enhances the environment and delivers benefits for people and nature.

All of our land management is carried out to the standards and requirements of the  UK Forestry Standard  – the UK’s reference standard for managing forests sustainably. It is carried out under Land Management Plans (see below) approved by  Scottish Forestry , the Scottish Government’s agency responsible for forestry policy, support and regulations.

In addition, all of our forests are independently certified as being responsibly managed against the  United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Standard  – a standard for sustainability which is endorsed by the  Forest Stewardship Council  (FSC) and the  Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification  (PEFC). This means that all the timber we sell can be badged with these internationally-recognised marks of sustainability.

A wide range of strategies, policies, guidance and decision support systems guide preparation and delivery of Land Management Plans. You can find out more  here .