Ideas sought for future of popular forest

A DROP-IN session to discuss the future of Clashindarroch Forest will take place next week.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) staff are hosting the meeting, which takes place on Wednesday, July 31 at Stewarts Hall in Huntly from 1-6pm.

It is being held as part of consultation on a draft land management plan for the Clashindarroch area, which lies to the south west of the town.

As well as including the Clashindaroch Forest, the plan covers Brown hill and the Darroch Wids sites of Coynachie, Merdrum and Black Middens and incorporates the recent acquisitions of Ittingstone, Culdrain and Mains of Lesmore.

Mark Reeve, of the FLS team, said: "The plan will determine how we manage Clashindarroch and surrounding woodlands over the next ten years.

"Knowing how much local people and visitors to the area love these forests, we want to make sure that we take into account as many views as possible before we finalise our plans."

One focus will be the production of a sustainable quality crop of timber but it also addresses other issues, such as managing riparian corridors to improve biodiversity, restoring non-forest habitats, woodland creation and managing existing recreational facilities.

The consultation is open from now until August 16.

Anyone wishing to look over the proposals and comment ahead of the consultation meeting can view the plans online.

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