Row over timing of timber felling in popular Laggan forest
Forestry Land Scotland has delayed controversial felling operations at least briefly in the Laggan area which will block a popular right of way following complaints from community leaders.
Talks are to be held between the landowners and village's community council over the timing of the works in the Blackwood area of Strathmashie Forest which come at a sensitive time of year given the influx of visitors and nesting birds.
It could also potentially hit the availability of bike trails immediately prior to the UCI World Cycling Championships at Fort William which is expected to bring a major cash boost to the region.
Laggan Community Council members were shocked to hear this part of the forest was to see large-scale felling and removal of trees from Monday (May 29) for anything up to two months and intervened.
Chairman Colin Morgan told the Strathy that the community had initially been told the starting date for the works was to be in October, later this year.
He said: "These new dates with just one working day of notice were very, very disappointing and we formally objected in the strongest possible way to FLS.
"The core path being closed is a very popular route, on the East Highland Way and will be very disappointing to the many visitors, walkers, bikers who come to our area at this time.
"The diversion proposed is very strenuous and completely unsuitable for bikes and those of less ability. We are also surprised that this felling is taking place in the middle of nesting season."
Walk Highlands rates the route as 'an excellent circuit' including forestry, native pinewoods and an open hill ridge with superb views, all en-route to the fascinating remains of the protected Pictish fort Dun da-Lamh.
Mr Morgan remarked: "The original consultation was in February and there were two outstanding questions – when would the felling take place and how long would it all take?
"Both questions are very relevant for many local businesses and potential residential inconvenience. The when was only answered on Thursday, but there was still no idea of how long it would all take.
"The timing has the potential to impact the availability of the bike trails immediately prior to the UCI World Cycling Championships at Fort William in early August.
"We expect a lot of visitors to the trails and Laggan area but now, it seems, these trails will be off-limits.
"The walk to Dun da-Lamh is apparently to remain open but the route there is the haul route for timber extraction and so likely to be closed at short notice."
Local Highland councillor Russell Jones said he had been in touch with the forestry authority demanding a meeting to discuss the timing of the operation.
He said "The community have told me that they are not objecting in principle to felling but the timing and the disruption needs to be talked about."
The Laggan Forest Trust, which operates the popular Laggan Wolftrax mountain bike centre at Strathmashie Forest, has also protested over the timing of the works.
Alex MacLeod, FLS north region manager, told the Strathy: “This significant area of felling, which will be carried out by forestry company Tilhill, was in the planning stages pencilled-in to take place in August which would be the earliest that forestry operations could begin had there been a need to avoid disturbing nesting raptors.
“However, the environmental checks carried out showed that there were no raptors present so work could begin at any time after the felling licence from Scottish Forestry was in place.
“The provisional nature of the August date was not clearly explained to the local community so we apologise for any confusion that has arisen.
“The diversions for the core path were agreed with the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s access officer and while not of the same calibre as the core path, represent the only feasible alternative that will continue to allow safe access while the forest operations are underway.
“We anticipate that the diversion will be required for up to six weeks, although if all goes well the core path could be re-opened by the end of June.”
Adam Streeter-Smith, the CNPA's recreation and access manager, said: “We have given advice to FLS about diversions for core paths and other aspects for managing the site for visitors. "We look forward to hearing more about how the project is to be managed.”
It is understood there will be talks now between the FLS and the community representatives over the felling operation before it starts.
Updating the Strathy, Mr Morgan said: "They are talking now of starting this Monday, but the hope is that they will not necessarily need to extract large amounts of felled timber initially but stack it to avoid blocking everyone else's access.
"That's the hope anyway."
