Strategic Plan

Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District Strategic Plan 2009-2013

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Contents

Introduction ...... 3 About Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District...... 6

Section one: strategic context...... 13 Context...... 14 Strategic priorities for Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District...... 16 Forest policy context...... 18

Section two: how Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District contributes to the delivery of the scottish forestry strategy...... 19 Key theme one: climate change...... 21 Key theme two: timber...... 25 Key theme three: business development...... 30 Key theme four: community development...... 35 Key theme five: access and health...... 41 Key theme six: environmental quality...... 45 Key theme seven: biodiversity...... 49

Section three: delivery and monitoring...... 57

Appendices:...... 60 Appendix one: supporting maps...... 61 Appendix two: evaluation of achievements (1999-2006) under previous strategic plan.....67 Appendix three: glossary for forest policy context diagram...... 90 Appendix four: local thematic plans, management plans and guidance notes...... 92 Appendix five: portfolio analysis scoring on the national forest estate...... 93

Using the document This document is principally intended to be read as an online publication and there are several hyperlinks linking readers to the Forestry Commission Scotland website for relevant publications. Please use the Microsoft Word ‘edit: find’ facility to search for specific words.

2 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Strategic plan 2009-2013 - Introduction

Introduction

We are continuing to protect, manage and expand Scotland’s forest and woodland, which helps in the fight against climate change

3 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction

Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District

Introduction The Scottish Forestry Strategy was launched in October 2006 as the Scottish Government’s framework for taking forestry forward through the first half of this century and beyond. This strategic plan defines how Forestry Commission Scotland, through its operating arm, Forest Enterprise Scotland, will implement the Scottish Forestry Strategy on that part of the national forest estate in Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District. This is a five-year plan starting in 2009 and finishing in 2013.

This strategic plan will also provide direction This plan has been amended to reflect the for implementing a repositioning policy that feedback from a formal consultation process will ensure that the nature and distribution of during 2008. The summarised consultation the national forest estate better reflects its role responses and the Forest Enterprise Scotland and purpose. response are both available on the Forestry Commission Scotland website.

4 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction

The strategic plan is divided into three sections:

Section one: strategic context Section three: delivery and monitoring This section explains how this strategic plan This section gives an overview of how Inverness, relates to other Forestry Commission Scotland Ross & Skye Forest District will effectively and policies and strategies, taking a lead from the efficiently deliver the strategic plan. It includes Scottish Forestry Strategy and guiding district plans sections on: and activities. • the operating principles that underpin all Forest Enterprise Scotland policies, Section two: how Inverness, Ross & Skye operations and activities Forest District contributes to delivery of • delivery mechanisms, including the Scottish Forestry Strategy repositioning the national forest estate This section describes the context and specific • the monitoring and implementation process actions that will be undertaken on the national forest estate in the district under each of the seven themes of the Scottish Forestry Strategy: Impact on environment and equality The results of environment and equality and • climate change diversity impact assessments of the strategic • business development plan are available on the Forestry Commission • timber Scotland website. • community development • access and health Review • environmental quality A review will take place towards the end of the period of delivery of the plan. If significant changes • biodiversity are made to the Scottish Forestry Strategy we will, if necessary, prepare a new strategic plan. The baseline figures detailed in the monitoring section of this strategic plan will be updated and reported on annually.

5 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction

About Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District

The district is situated in the Highland Council area Natural environment in the North of Scotland. It extends north from Strathmashie in the heart of the central Highlands Climate to the Isle of Skye off the west coast. It incorporates over 100 different woodlands, which with the There is major variation especially east to west, management of open land and water amounts to with western areas characterised by wet cool a total area of around 82,117 hectares. One main winters with few severe frost episodes, and wet feature of the district is the large variation between warm summers. The Black Isle and the woodlands east and west, with examples of: to the east of the district have a much lower rainfall, but average temperatures are similar. • all the main types of site conditions Strathspey can fall in between as the influence (climate, soil, etc.) of the Cairngorm massif means that summer • all the major forest types and forest temperatures can be the highest in Scotland, management issues but winters are cold. Forests in the west have a comparatively warm and humid climate with • the full range of ways in which people use forests higher rainfall.

A feature across the whole district is the relatively high proportion of native woodland and ancient woodland sites. Much of the district carries conservation designations, such as special area of conservation (SAC), and some areas, such as the national nature reserves in Glen Affric, Glenmore and Invereshie & Inshriach, have multiple designations. The east of the district has a good transport infrastructure, with most of the forests lying within the economic haul distance of the existing timber markets, easing crop management decisions. The city of Inverness is also the main population centre in the area. The resident population in the west is relatively low, but tourist numbers can be high. Loch Ness, Skye and Cairngorms National Park are among the most iconic and popular tourist destinations in Scotland, outside of Edinburgh.

6 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction

About Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District

Water Geology and landform The Spey, Ness, Beauly, Nairn and Moriston The most prominent geological feature is the catchments dominate the mainland (see Appendix Great Glen fault that runs diagonally across the one) - the Ness system has the greatest volume district from south-west to north-east. Landforms of freshwater in Britain. The rivers in Skye and encompass nearly all the types present in Scotland, Lochalsh tend to be smaller, but are locally from rolling mixed lowland farmland in the east to significant. Many of the rivers and lochs are the west coast fjord-like setting. important for conservation in their own right, The district has some of the finest examples of including several special areas of conservation noteworthy geological features in Scotland. The and one special protection area. Special features entire region is very heavily influenced geologically include the good populations of salmonids and by the effects of glaciations. The district can be split the relatively undisturbed riverside habitats and into the following main types and locations: aquatic species of national significance, such as rare dragonflies, lamprey and otter. Water features are • Lewisian gneiss in the east of the also important to the economy for hydro-electric Lochalsh peninsula and north through generation, tourism and fisheries. For example, the head of Loch Carron the Beauly, Ness and Spey systems are three of • Torridian sandstone in the west of Scotland’s leading salmon rivers. Flooding can be a the Lochalsh peninsula and in the local issue, e.g. the Enrick around Drumnadrochit, Kishorn area, up to Loch Maree and around the Feshie/Spey confluence in Badenoch. Water supplies are also important • Igneous rocks (granites, gabbro in this district, with many rural properties and basalt lavas) on Skye drawing domestic water supplies from forested • Moine schists comprise most of the rest catchments and with some reservoirs occurring of the district to the east, but granite in forested catchments, e.g. Loch Achnahinnich. dominates the Cairngorm massif

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About Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District

Soils Biodiversity The district contains all the major Scottish soil The diverse environment gives rise to high types, many derived from glacial till. The relatively biodiversity, with a number of national nature high proportion of peaty and gleyed soils present reserves, sites of special scientific interest and special in the west of the district means that in these areas of conservation with management plans for areas we have a smaller selection of potentially habitats, species and local biodiversity. Conservation suitable tree species compared to the more freely management often involves partnership working drained soils in the east. On lower ground, soils with other agencies and owners. Key habitats can be very fertile and productive. Soil types vary include the Caledonian Pinewoods and the Atlantic in complex patterns even in individual forests. Oakwoods, which provide a home for some of This cannot be mapped at a strategic scale. Scotland’s most characteristic and protected species such as capercaillie, pine marten, red squirrel and wild cat. The district also supports a wide Landscape range of species for which diverse and specific consideration is required e.g. raptors, wood ants The landscape is of very high appeal for both local and the Lapland marsh orchid. The district also people and visitors including the Black Cuillins, contains over 12,500ha of plantation on ancient the Great Glen fault, and the Cairngorm Mountain woodland sites in various stages of restoration. range. In places forests are key components of some of these cherished landscapes, in others plantations require redesign to integrate with Cultural environment the surrounding land. While the landscape is very varied, it is generally characterised by glens, hills and coastal features. This is even Historical context true around the most urban area in the district, Social factors that have shaped the area are typical Inverness. Nevertheless the west-to-east variation for much of the Scotland. Deforestation by people is quite striking, going from the west coast and began as long ago as 6,000 years with only about 5% islands, through the central glen systems such tree cover left by 1500 AD. Expansion of plantation as Affric to the wide Strathspey, dominated forests began in the 18th and 19th centuries and by the backdrop of the Cairngorms. The main forest area increased rapidly in the 20th century, landscape designations are national scenic area: due to planting by the Forestry Commission from which cover Kintail, Affric, Slattadale, the Cuillin 1919 and in recent decades by private forest Hills, and Cairngorms, the last which is also an owners. There is now a mixed rural land-use of integral part of the Cairngorms National Park. farmland, forest, moorland and mountain which There are also several areas of great landscape underpins the economy, as well as giving the value and several important designed landscapes, area its landscape appeal. The Gaelic language e.g. Raasay, Plock of Kyle and Loch Meikle. remains important in the district, particularly in the west, and we will implement Forestry Commission Scotland’s new Gaelic language plan. 8 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction

About Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District

Heritage These are designated by Forestry Commission Heritage interest in the area encompasses historic Scotland as woodlands in and around towns, but settlements, past land use and the trees and given the rate of urban expansion, designation of woodlands themselves (e.g. coppiced oak on Skye). such woods need regular re-appraisal. There are examples of designed landscapes on Social deprivation is not a major issue in the old estates purchased by Forestry Commission district, but there are local pockets of concern, e.g. Scotland, e.g. on the Isle of Raasay. There are in parts of Inverness. several scheduled and very many unscheduled In the more remote northern and western ancient monuments, as well as ancient woodlands Highland areas the number and size of settlements and ancient, legendary, historic or remarkable is decreasing. Away from the more urban areas trees. The remarkable trees include some of the the dominant land uses around district land are tallest trees in Britain in the Douglas fir stands in upland grazing, sporting estates and forestry. Many Reelig Glen and Plodda, near Tomich. We have of our marches are with neighbouring estates such been promoting knowledge of woodland heritage as Coulin, Balmacara, Cannich, Dundreggan and through events and information, e.g. Highland Inverinate which, with Scottish Woodlands and Archaeology Festival. Tilhill Forestry, manage most neighbouring forested land. There are also a considerable number of Demographics smaller-scale farming and residential neighbours. Scottish Hydro Electric owns a number of hydro The Highlands as a whole has a very low density schemes in the district. with a population of 210,000 spread over an area the size of Wales or Belgium. Inverness and the surrounding area is developing rapidly, with many Economy new houses recently built and further expansion planned between Inverness and Nairn. This economic growth is impacting on the forest district Employment in a wide variety of ways: Timber production generates a significant number • development pressure on existing woodlands of jobs across the region, particularly in rural areas. This includes jobs in the forest, such as planting • pressure for additional recreational facilities and felling, through timber haulage to processing • additional traffic with impacts on timber haulage destinations, such as sawmills and pulp mills. The • a shortage of affordable housing forests also provide a large resource for informal recreation and organised events. The increasing Some of the woodlands we manage are close to trend for nature-based tourism will be well suited settlements and provide facilities for the to the district. local population.

9 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction

About Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District

Tourism The district is a major provider of recreation These visitors use the wide range of facilities opportunities in North Scotland and the use provided by Forestry Commission Scotland, e.g. of the national forest estate for recreation has forest walks, car-parks, cycle routes, picnic areas, mirrored the expansion in leisure time. Glenmore mountain-bike centres etc. Forest Park, created in 1948, now welcomes The forests provide a significant resource for some 250,000 visitors a year and makes a major recreational tourism, such as mountain biking and contribution to the tourism industry. Recently, the orienteering. Organised events also help bring profile of this area has increased again with the people to the area (e.g. Snowman Rally, Scottish designation of Cairngorms as a national park. The Six Day Trials) or encourage local people to get Great Glen (Loch Ness) and the Isle of Skye are also outdoors (e.g. mountain biking, Affric two of Scotland’s most popular tourist destinations. walking festival). The area provides for two distinct groups of These visits generate expenditure and help sustain visitors: day visits by the local resident population local jobs, directly (e.g. Cougie pony trekking) or and visits by tourist staying overnight in the area. indirectly (shops, accommodation providers). The The 2006 All Forests Survey indicates that public district recreation team has grown significantly in use of the district is in the order of one million the last ten years to manage these visits, to provide visits a year, with around half of these being made guided events and to assist in rural education. by local residents.

10 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction

About Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District

Renewable energy Forest resource The national forest estate in the district remains well placed to make a significant contribution to Extent and distribution the Scottish Executive’s renewable energy targets. Currently there are proposals for operational wind- Public and private forest in the district covers farms and appropriate scale hydro schemes. As around 150,000 ha. This represents 14.5% of the the district contains a large number of designated land area (excluding the Western Isles), compared sites this limits the opportunity for large-scale with 17% for Scotland as a whole. windfarms. However, smaller scale windfarm We manage 82,100 ha, with almost 50,000 ha of projects (particularly those with opportunities for forest concentrated mainly in Strathspey, the Great local community investment) and hydro schemes Glen and the adjoining glens, and in Lochalsh. A do have some potential and further opportunities relatively large proportion is non-forest land (39% for these in the district will be explored. - 32,500 ha), much of which is important open- The woodfuel market is still small-scale, but likely ground habitat, often above the natural tree-line. to grow and we will help facilitate market growth The average forest plan area is 1,750 ha, reflecting and emerging woodfuel enterprises. We will a predominance of larger forests in the Highlands. make any surplus production from our existing Some 38% of the forest area is in public ownership forestry operations available to woodfuel markets, and the remaining 62% is privately owned, similar and we will actively seek to identify a woodfuel to the national average (see Appendix one for resource from low quality and windthrown crops. location of forests). We will also continue to grow our local firewood sales, both direct to customers and through local firewood businesses. Diversification of income is vital to protect programme development in other activities. We will identify and test opportunities, and engage with stakeholders to make sure that proposals are well thought through and that long-term relationships are not damaged.

11 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction

About Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District

Types of forest and tree species Types of forest and tree species (complete) Most of the forest (about 88%) is plantation, with Some 977 ha (2% of the forest area) is currently only 12% semi-natural woodland. Large areas of managed as a natural reserve and 8,676 ha (10.5%) this plantation (about 12,500 ha) are situated on is managed under low impact silvicultural systems. ancient woodland sites.

Many are under restoration to native woodlands Productive forestry age through selective clearfelling or naturalisation The oldest woodlands in the district are almost processes for pinewood areas. 250 years old and around 3% of the total forest The most widespread species is Scots pine, area is over 100 years old. These areas are largely covering just over 33% of the forest area. Sitka remnants of ancient semi-natural woods, including spruce is the second most widespread, at 26% of significant areas of native pinewoods in Strathspey the forest area. Growth rates across the district are and Glen Affric. The establishment of the forests average for these species. began in earnest during the 1930s, with major The native woodland resource is dominated by expansion in the years after the Second World War Caledonian pinewood, upland birch woods and when around 48% of the forest was planted. oak-wood. Oak, sycamore and ash woodlands have Timber production in the district is forecast to be the best potential for hardwood production, but fairly steady over the next decade, with potential their timber production capacity is largely limited increase being off-set by wind-blow. Wind-blow by their small extent, poor access and a lack of is an ongoing issue as forests are restructured: a past management. major storm in January 2005 impacted significantly on production levels in the following years.

12 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Strategic plan 2009-2013 - Section one

Section one: strategic context

Scottish forestry is helping to make a sustainable contribution to Scotland’s economy. Over 40,000 jobs are supported by the forestry sector in Scotland and the industry generates around £760 million each year.

13 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section one

Section one: strategic context

Context

The context in which this plan will be delivered has been set by the success in delivering the previous strategic plans that covered the former Fort Augustus and Inverness forest districts over the past seven years. Those plans, published in 2001, included a wide range of local targets set against the national priorities identified in the previous version of the Scottish Forestry Strategy (published in 2000). These are summarised in Appendix two.

Progress has been made against those plans across • recreation provision has been consolidated and the new district: improved, with many existing facilities upgraded, e.g. Farigaig and Glenmore, or new ones created, • we remain committed to working with others and e.g. mountain biking facilities at Balnain, Laggan our partnership has brought considerable success and Learnie. and external support most notably with several EU Life projects, including flood risk assessment and • major progress has been made to promote outdoor amelioration in Glen Urquhart, restoration of the recreation and green tourism through multi- Caledonian forest in Glen Affric, wet wood projects partnership projects and events, and a number of at Monadh Mor and Inshriach, and enhancing community-led partnerships have developed this conditions for capercaillie. Scottish Forest Alliance aim further, e.g. South Loch Ness Access Group, native woodland restoration projects also provided Skye & Lochalsh Mountain Bike Group, Aviemore & benefits on Skye and at Glenmore. Cairngorms Destination Management Ltd. We have increased our contribution to the local tourism • community engagement is now very much an economy through involvement with major projects integral part of our work, from consultation over such as the Great Glen Way and by working with a forest plan to the partnership with the Fearnaig partner organisation staff to organise a regular Community Trust that has allowed the local programme of events throughout the year. community at South Strome to become actively engaged in managing their local forest. We have • our forests have been accredited as meeting facilitated a number of other active community UK Woodland Assurance Scheme standards of groups at differing levels of involvement and a sustainable forest management following rigorous number of partnership communities where a external audit of the former Fort Augustus (2007) special relationship has developed, e.g. at Laggan, and Inverness (2005) districts. Kirkhill and Bunchrew, the Glen Urquhart Land Use Partnership, and the Strathglass Marketing Group.

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Section one: strategic context

• all of the district’s forests are covered by a long- • the proportion of the district actively managed term forest plans. Work flowing from these plans as continuous cover forestry (where the next is now creating landscape improvements and generation of trees regenerates under the canopy enhancements to nature conservation and heritage of existing trees) has increased to around 10.5% sites. Forest plans have also underpinned planned of the total forest area and is set to expand harvesting of the timber resource and the proposals further during the life of this plan. Local skill and for re-planting. knowledge in this type of management is growing. • increasing use of long-term contracts has helped • the national forest estate in the district remains bring security to contractors and timber customers well placed to make a significant contribution to over what has been the most difficult period for the the Scottish Executive’s renewable energy targets. timber market in the history of Scottish forestry. Currently there are proposals for operational windfarms and for two small to medium-scale • niche markets have been developed, e.g. Douglas hydro schemes. fir going to Jones, and there was an increase in the customer base and partnerships. There were • good work as been carried out on a range of developments in shipping transport (61,000 unscheduled monuments, with many sites being tonnes), e.g. Gordon’s shipping contracts, and surveyed by local heritage groups and local rail transport experiments. An increased export archaeologists. Hosting the annual Highland market, e.g. UPM-Kymmene pulp exports, Archaeology Festival has increased local expertise, reduced road transport. More recently, these knowledge and involvement throughout the have been somewhat curtailed due to the poor district. Progress with this aim has increased the economic climate. liaison and partnership working with Highland Council and Historic Scotland. • silvicultural thinning is again being carried out in the parts of the district west of the Great Glen after • we have been involved in providing land for a break during the 1980s and 1990s. The current affordable housing at a number of sites, including age class structure and risk of wind-blow has Kincraig, Glenmore, Balmacara, Ratagan and limited the availability of suitable stands. Jenkins Park (by Fort Augustus). • we have continued to build on the native woodland Much remains to be done and new challenges arise restoration work started in the 1990s and to date, out of the revised Scottish Forestry Strategy and the nearly 50% of our plantations on ancient woodland demands of our stakeholders. The proposals for sites are now on the path to recovery. responding to these and building on the successful implementation of the previous strategic plan are detailed in Section two.

15 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section one

Strategic priorities for Inverness, Ross & Skye District

District vision District priorities Managing forests and woodlands that stretch from The main priority is to practice sustainable forest the Cuillins of Skye to the Cairngorms National management, which is one of the fundamental Park and watch over the waters of Loch Ness brings operating principles outlined in the Forest challenges – and opportunities. Enterprise Scotland national strategic plan. This is based on implementation of a range of important We want our trees to enhance these iconic standards and best practice national guidelines, landscapes while producing opportunities for rural such as Forestry Commission Scotland forest and development and providing for many recreational water guidelines and legislation such as the Health pursuits. We want our communities to participate and Safety Act. Our performance is externally actively in their management. audited against the Forest Stewardship We care for and regenerate much of the ancient Council-approved UK Woodland Caledonian pine forest that shelters and feeds a Assurance Scheme standards. range of similarly iconic species from osprey to Our Forest Stewardship Council certification capercaillie, red squirrel to crossbill, wood provides third party confirmation that Forestry ant to juniper. Commission Scotland forests are well-managed. And towering above our activities are some of the We are firmly committed to retaining the high tallest trees in Scotland in an area where growing standards required by the UK Woodland Assurance high quality timber is part of the cultural and Scheme. This requires us to deliver a baseline economic heritage. of good practice in all our work. However, local circumstances and opportunities mean that there are a number of areas where we can also make a significant contribution to the national delivery against the Scottish Forestry Strategy:

Safeguarding national forestry treasures We will manage key sites in the Cairngorms National Park, the Great Glen, the Isle of Skye, Glen Affric and around the city of Inverness.

16 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section one

Strategic priorities for Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District

Delivering forestry for people and rural Using acquisition/ disposal, partnerships and development benefits where people live other arrangements to generate greater scale and work and pace of change We will work with partners to create and facilitate We will continue our involvement in existing quality recreation provision, with a focus on community projects and respond to providing opportunities for nature-based tourism developing demands. and the environment, and also woods in and around communities. Sustaining sufficient regional presence to exercise policy development, exemplar and Managing landscape scale core areas for leadership roles threatened species and habitats We will delivery quality timber production, We will focus in particular on continued particularly for niche and specialist markets. management of native woodlands including Significant pockets of exceptional timber in the important native pinewood areas and continued district, e.g. the Douglas fir at Port Clair, are a restoration of plantations on ancient limited resource that must be managed on a woodland sites. sustainable basis. The district contains a large and diverse range Retaining sufficient timber production potential of forests and communities, with a wide range to facilitate market stability and development of management options. We will deliver an appropriate balance of economic, environmental We will underpin the development of the large and and social outputs from each forest through small scale timber processing industry through the active stakeholder engagement in long-term marketing of timber at both the large and small forest planning. We will utilise these long-term scale in the Moray Firth marketing region. forest plans and management approach to provide exemplars of multi-benefit forestry and demonstrate how sustainable forest management is delivered on the ground.

17 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section one

Forest policy context

The national strategic plan describes the strategic and operational context; monitoring framework and implementation proposals that guide the district plan. The components of the delivery of the district strategic plan are indicated in the forest policy context diagram below. A glossary describing elements of the forest policy context diagram is contained in Appendix three.

Scottish Forestry Strategy UK Forestry Standard 2006 – 2015

Forest Enterprise Scotland POLICIES Forestry Commission framework document guidelines and policies 2008 – 2013

Strategic plan for the UK Woodland national forest estate Assurance Standard 2009 - 2013

Inverness., Ross & Skye Indicative forestry strategies Forest District Strategic Plan Forestry frameworks Regional 2009 – 2013 Forestry Forum

Forest plans Thematic plans 10 year plans in e.g. biodiversity, thinning 20 – 30 year frameworks Review

Work plans Monitoring Site specific plans for projects planned up to 2 years in advance of implementation Work programme

PLANNING Business plan Action Rolling 3 year plan

18 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Strategic plan 2009-2013 - Section two

Section two: how Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District contributes to the delivery of the Scottish Forestry Strategy

Scotland’s forests and woodlands are helping support many rural communities and businesses.

19 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Section two: how Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District contributes to the delivery of the Scottish Forestry Strategy

Context The issues identified below are arranged under the seven key themes of the Scottish Forestry Strategy, with analysis and evaluation of their local context. The strategy identifies three outcomes, 12 headline objectives and 69 detailed objectives. Only the most relevant objective and main local issues are included to reflect the strategic nature of this plan.

In identifying issues, we seek to identify key things the international trade in timber as a limiting we can influence. This requires an analysis of our factor because this may not be immediately operating environment, with consideration of obvious. In contrast, we do not mention the details problems and limiting factors. If it is appropriate, of silvicultural improvement when identifying this analysis will sometimes be summarised in the thinning as an issue as we feel these will be plan. For example, in considering our operating assumed intuitively e.g. thinning improves crops. environment for timber, we include mention of

20 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Key theme one: climate change

Climate change is both an opportunity and a threat to forestry. It is a primary consideration for sustainable forest management and the wood-using sectors, and a cross-cutting issue with links to all other key themes.

Renewable energy The district is well placed to contribute towards While the new Balcas facility is now up and running, meeting existing and future renewable energy the development of other, appropriately scaled, targets primarily due to the prevailing windy and wet wood-fuel markets in the district is still seen as climate, and a productive forest environment. We important, both in terms of the production of are currently involved with a number of renewable renewable energy and in the associated reduction in energy schemes, including wind, hydro and the timber transport requirement. We will continue biomass. We will continue to make sites available for to support the developing wood fuel market, renewable energy projects and work positively with particularly in the west. developers, but in view of the number of designated sites in the district these may be limited.

21 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Key theme one: climate change

Adapting to climate change Flood and catchment management Climate change is a complex issue and although The district manages a key site at the confluence recent guidance suggests that there may be limited of the rivers Spey and Feshie, where careful impact on our forests with regard to species choice management will be required to assist with flood of our principal productive species, there may be and catchment management. implications for provenance selection and the prevention of pests and diseases. There may also be some changes in the behaviour of certain key Flood and catchment management (complete) species, e.g. bird nesting activity may start earlier Forestry is increasingly seen as part of the solution in the year, which can have implications for our to improved catchment management and flood management activities. There may also be threats to prevention. We have developed collaborative specific habitats, such as the Caledonian pine forests partnerships within an EU Life project (SAFER) at in Glen Affric and the Cairngorm high level habitats. Glen Urquhart working on flood prevention and For the native woodlands, expanding and enhancing water catchment management. Climate change forest habitat networks will be important in creating may increase the incidence of flooding and may more robust and responsive ecosystems. Associated, require revision of our planning and management. important open ground habitats should be considered in the wider habitat mosaic. Carbon sequestration Changes in climate may lead to an increase in flooding events - riparian woodland enhancement The district has the opportunity to contribute in and expansion could play a role in improving this area through our extensive and increasing sustainable flood and catchment management. use of adopting low impact silvicultural systems On fragile sites we may need to respond to any (continuous cover forestry), a lower input increase in the impacts of operations as a result approach, utilising natural regeneration and of climate change e.g. machinery utilisation. The encouraging longer rotations. increased windiness, along with waterlogged sites, There is also potential for acquiring land is already increasing high wind damage (particularly for planting new productive woodlands for in the west), and forest design, species choice and carbon sequestration, but also meeting other silviculture will need to be carefully considered for environmental and social objectives at the the succeeding rotations. same time. Low impact silvicultural systems (continuous cover) is believed to be a good way of guarding against the effects of increasing storminess of the climate. In certain locations in the district, we will encourage opportunities to allow forests to migrate up the hill in response to climate change.

22 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Key theme one: climate change

Key Theme: climate change

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Renewable energy

Realise the potential for wind energy projects on the national forest estate, sifting out those IRS that would have adverse impacts on designated areas, and with due regard to community, 1.01 landscape, planning and other environmental concerns.

Encourage the development of appropriately scaled hydro schemes. The latter have been IRS identified by a survey of the western half of the District and the best will be taken forward for 1.02 development over the coming years, subject to the appropriate public planning process.

IRS The woodfuel market is still small-scale, but likely to grow and we will help facilitate market 1.03 growth and emerging woodfuel entrepreneurs.

IRS We will actively seek to identify a woodfuel resource from low quality and windthrown crops. 1.04

Adapting to climate change

Species choice: We will adopt a precautionary principle on maintaining and enhancing IRS diversity of tree species and forest structure when long-term forest plans are prepared. Larch 1.05 and Douglas fir will continue to be grown for future niche markets, and the broadleaved component of the district will be further enhanced.

IRS Sustainable management: We will progress the practices identified in the evolving business 1.06 sustainability initiative in all buildings, operations and travel.

Wind damage: Restructuring even aged forests to create a more balanced and diverse age IRS class structure will reduce the impact of catastrophic wind damage. We will seek to increase in 1.07 the use of continuous cover systems with a view to improving crop stability.

Plant health: We will continue to monitor for known damaging agents, such as red-band IRS needle blight, and be vigilant in looking out for new pests, taking expert advice promptly 1.08 where necessary.

23 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Key theme one: climate change

Key Theme: climate change

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Flood and catchment management

A flood management plan for confluence of the River Feshie and River Spey to deliver the IRS hydrological and conservation objectives of this area will be delivered in conjunction with 1.09 neighbouring land-owners.

IRS The District will work with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in relation to any 1.10 other sites where flooding problems are identified.

IRS We will also pursue opportunities for new woodland in the floodplains to help mitigate 1.11 flooding risk and contribute to habitat network development.

Carbon sequestration

IRS New woodland: New acquisitions will be actively sought in the lowland parts of the District 1.12 on better quality soils.

24 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Key theme two: timber

An informed, vibrant and competitive wood processing sector in Scotland is vital to maximise market opportunities for the growing volume of timber reaching maturity. It is vital that growers produce predictable quantities and qualities of timber that meet market needs to sustain continued investment in efficient processing capacity and to realise the carbon benefits from greater use of timber in construction.

Timber supply Currently 10.5% of the productive area in the The district contains many steep areas that are district is managed under continuous cover technically difficult to harvest. Forest Enterprise systems. Increasing use of continuous cover Scotland has carried out a study across Scotland and natural reserve designations through to investigate the extent of these areas and the forest plan revisions has had an impact on the main issues that will need to be addressed. This distribution of yield, but no significant impact strategic approach is aimed at finding technical on log supply. This is currently under review as solutions to operating in these areas (both to new survey information becomes available. release timber volume and to prevent site damage), and to co-ordinate resource deployment. Our current production forecasting methods can reasonably accurately predict timber yields from the traditional clearfell / restock system, but they are less reliable for thinning and areas managed under continuous cover, particularly where natural regeneration or continuous cover forest management is to be utilised.

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Key theme two: timber

Timber quality Timber transport Only a proportion of the existing forests in the The road-based transport chains are particularly district are on sites that can produce really inefficient in the western part of the district. high quality timber and the range of species We need to support the supply chain to ensure and options for management reduce from the a market for our timber and we are active in best quality ground to the poorest ground. seeking alternatives to road transport from the west, including rail, sea and canal based The sheltered eastern parts of the district initiatives. We are also active in seeking local have traditionally produced the best quality markets for timber in the west, to reduce road timber, but if we are to maintain or improve miles, including woodfuel initiatives. We will current timber quality, appropriate species continue to work with local partners on timber choice, provenance and spacing will be vital transport to reduce timber-road miles and for areas being conventionally re-stocked. seeks to ensure that it practices sustainable In continuous cover areas, appropriate densities management across a wide range of activities. of natural regeneration will also be critical. Partnership working within the Highland Timber High quality deer management is required to Transport Group, and improving working ensure future timber quality. Thinning regimes relations with the Highland Council Tec Services, across the district are currently under review to has ensured that some good solutions have maximise all thinning opportunities and make arisen for haulage of timber in recent years. sure that thinning ‘windows’ are not missed. There will be scope in the future for co- operative working with neighbours to identify innovative solutions which can further reduce potential impact of haulage. We will aim to sell as much of our produce as near to source as possible, and we will continue work with local partners to develop opportunities for sea and canal timber transport.

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Key theme two: timber

Hardwood timber Timber in construction There are currently over 4,400 ha of broadleaves in We continue to be involved in several high profile the district. Management of these areas has to-date building projects involving the use of timber in largely focused on restoring (through removal of exotic construction, including local affordable housing tree and shrub species) and expansion (largely through projects and Forestry Commission Scotland natural regeneration). Where a decision is taken to fell building projects, e.g. the new district offices at some of these, we will take the opportunity to make Smithon. We have been able to work with housing them available to the hardwood sector. We remain associations, architects and local communities to committed to this course of action, but there are also help promote high standards of sustainability, but opportunities for our hardwood stands to produce there remains more that can be done to maximise utilisable timber through proper management. the use of timber in local construction projects. In designated native oak woodland for example, thinning is likely to be required. While quantities produced may be small in terms of the district’s total production, values can often be relatively high. Currently, the market for hardwood timber in the Highlands is not well developed or organised. Proper management of these woodlands will depend on developing suitable local markets. Broadleaved woodland accounts for a relatively small proportion of our woodland area and an expansion in the area of hardwoods would be beneficial. Opportunities for increasing the proportion of broadleaves will be considered during species choice in forest plan preparation and some sites will be developed for timber production rather than habitat creation.

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Key theme two: timber

Key Theme: Timber

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Timber supply

We will regularly publish a forecast of timber production (felling and thinning) and IRS match those predictions (currently at 235,000 cubic metres per annum) in subsequent 2.01 marketing plans.

We will work co-operatively with other parts of the supply chain to achieve market placement IRS for our products and seek to maintain margins for everyone in the chain. We will continue 2.02 with processes such as long-term contracts and competent contractor status to provide security while regularly testing the market rate through open tenders.

Timber quality

Distribution of species and selection of correct origins will follow sound silvicultural practice IRS to provide a quality growing stock to take advantage of our favourable climatic conditions. 2.03 They will be established at the correct densities as per national guidance.

IRS High quality deer management will be implemented to ensure that effects on tree survival 2.04 and quality are within acceptable levels.

IRS Maintain and seek opportunities to increase current target thinning volume of 35,000 cubic 2.05 metres per annum.

Timber transport

We will continue to work with customers and the Timber Transport Forum to further reduce IRS the cost and environmental impacts of timber transport. We will adhere to the Highland 2.06 Council agreed route maps for timber transport.

IRS We will investigate sea and canal timber transport opportunities. 2.07

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Key theme two: timber

Key Theme: Timber

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Hardwood timber

We will increase the proportion of native broadleaf woodland in the district (from 8.8% of IRS woodland area to 20% by 2050) by identifying opportunities at time of re-stocking or in 2.08 acquisitions.

We will investigate the potential to produce timber as a product in existing broadleaved woodlands and in new broadleaved areas brought about through the restoration of IRS plantations on ancient woodland sites. We will continue to explore new habitat networks and 2.09 species diversification, e.g. aspen is a possibility in Strathspey.

Timber in construction

We will continue to seek out opportunities to demonstrate the use of timber in construction, IRS and work positively with developers and sawmillers to promote the use of the district’s 2.10 timber in local construction projects. The new district office will be used as an exemplar of a sustainable timber building.

IRS We will create an inventory of stands in the district that are capable of providing high quality 2.11 specialist timber products.

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Key theme three: business development

Forestry can bring much needed economic activity and employment to fragile and remote rural areas through traditional activities such as timber production and forest management, and diversified income sources from provision of forest goods and other services. However, this is reliant on the availability of a properly skilled and motivated workforce. We also recognise that we are part of a wider network supporting rural business development. Synergy with other economic development agencies will deliver best value for the local forest industry. The existing links with these organisations need to be strengthened and maintained.

Skills There is a continuing need to develop staff and We will seek opportunities to involve the local contractors to sustain current programmes, meet volunteer and unemployed sectors further in a bid to new challenges and improve performance. promote the forest environment as an opportunity We maintain strong links to local schools and for training and gaining new skills. have an annual programme of work opportunity experience for secondary pupils. We will seek to continue to offer opportunities for Modern Apprenticeships and will work closely with Inverness College to provide access to forests for learning.

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Key theme three: business development

Tourism Income diversification The revenue generated from tourism is a mainstay Efficient land management means that we aim of the local economy and the principle industry in to meet our management objectives for the best much of the district. Landscape and opportunities possible value for money, while maximising our for outdoor recreation are among the main selling income-generating potential. We provide many points, and the district’s forests provide a significant business opportunities and make sure that there contribution to that draw. Walking continues to be is a fair and open process for developing these the main activity of many forest visitors, but other opportunities. activities are growing in popularity, particularly We will continue to work positively with potential mountain biking and horse-riding. Overseas investors to maximise the economic potential tourists especially seem to be more attuned to eco- (non-timber sources of income) of the national tourism or nature-based tourism. We believe that forest estate. the district’s natural assets, such as Kinloch Hills on Skye, and the Glenmore and Glen Affric national We have ongoing commitments to raising the profile nature reserves will attract increasing numbers of of the contribution of forestry, promoting local people looking for wildlife and nature experiences. co-operation, and promoting woodlands as the location for various enterprises. The challenges will be to maintain and improve the quality of recreation facilities, improve the We are involved with a diverse range of local bodies, customer care provided by Forestry Commission including community groups, tourist groups, the Scotland and work constructively with tourism Glen Urquhart Land Use Partnership, the Great Glen partners to maximise the benefits. Way Initiative, Ness Fisheries Board, the Cairngorm, Rothiemurchus and Glenmore Group and others. Currently proposals for developing the potential of Glen Brittle on Skye are being formulated and We need to continue to diversify its income base. A we are working with Destination Loch Ness with number of existing examples, i.e. radio masts, mining; a view to improving facilities around the loch. can provide up to 10% of the district’s income. These are important alternative sources of income to timber and help offset investments in recreation and conservation when timber prices are low. We will discuss all potential sale candidates with local community councils and regional forestry forums to make sure that woodlands are sold through a fair and open consultation process. We will use portfolio analysis to explain the reasons for selecting woodlands offered for sale. All selected woodlands will be offered for sale through the National Forest Land Scheme, before being put on the open market.

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Key theme three: business development

Contribution to rural development We do not provide direct financial support to rural Farmers and estate owners seeking to diversify, businesses, but we endeavour to consider and communities seeking to develop woodland-based provide opportunities that will assist businesses and craft and tourism initiatives, and town- and village- the local economy (support for local businesses), and dwellers looking to enhance the setting of their we work with the local enterprise companies to do so settlements and opportunities for outdoor recreation where appropriate. nearby can all benefit.” The national forest estate in the district has potential Some local businesses already derive direct or to add value to and provide opportunities for indirect benefits from recreational forest visitors. private business ventures, where these are consistent There are some very successful existing examples with our own objectives. We can provide business in the tourism sector, e.g. Cairngorm Reindeer opportunities but, where there is potential for Company, Loch Morlich Watersports, BaseCamp competition, we have to ensure that there is a mountain bikes and many other tourism operators transparent process for developing derive benefits from visitors recreating in the forests. these opportunities. There is potential for further development in this area, particularly in relation to equestrian use, cycle Highland Council’s recently published forest and hire and Forest Holidays. woodland strategy has helped to raise the profile of the contribution of forestry to sustainable There is also a number of smaller (often local) timber development. It notes that: “ ... it is not just crofting customers who provide niche market opportunities, communities which stand to gain from expansion and such as hardwood for construction or larch for boat restructuring of the forest and woodland resource. building, firewood merchants and permissions for collecting firewood.

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Key theme three: business development

Key Theme: Business development

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Skills

IRS Promote continuous improvements to the safety culture in the sector, by exhibiting best 3.01 practice on the national forest estate.

IRS Prepare a workforce plan to identify skill shortages and training needs so staff skills match 3.02 developing policies and demands.

IRS Contribute to the work of the Forest Education Initiative in supporting forestry skills 3.03 development and careers guidance in schools.

IRS Opportunities to continue and extend the Modern Apprenticeship will be exploited . 3.04

Tourism

Tourism is a very important business and, together with other local partners (e.g. Aviemore & IRS Cairngorms Destination Management), we will develop a quality of experience that exceeds 3.05 the expectation of the visitor, including under-represented groups, and encourages growth in tourism revenues.

IRS Ongoing attempts will be made to secure resources to upgrade and enhance facilities in the 3.06 district, including those for disabled and under-represented visitors.

IRS Eco-tourism: we will make available opportunities to independent operators to provide 3.07 these services.

IRS Continue to consider the landscape value of woodlands to tourism during revision of 3.08 forest plans.

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Key theme three: business development

Key Theme: Business development

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Income diversification

Non-timber sources of income: diversification of income is vital to protect programme IRS development in other activities and opportunities will be identified and tested. This will be 3.09 accompanied by engagement with stakeholders to ensure that proposals are well thought through and that long-term relationships are not damaged.

During the period of this plan, forests with low scores from the portfolio analysis will continue IRS to be considered for sale to realise money for recycling to other key work areas, including land 3.10 acquisition for new woodland.

Contribution to rural development

We will be open to, and encourage, new business ideas that match our wider social and IRS environmental standards to derive benefits from rural development. We will become less risk 3.11 averse while still retaining robust procedures to protect the public interest.

We have an ongoing commitment to raising the profile of the contribution of forestry for IRS promoting local co-operation, and for promoting woodlands as the location for various 3.12 enterprises. We will continue our involvement with a diverse range of local bodies, including community groups, tourist groups, etc.

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Key theme four: community development

Community forestry in Scotland is a diverse and dynamic sector supported by the great changes in Scottish forestry since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament. Forestry is devolved, and land reform has introduced a stronger connection between the land and the people of Scotland. As part of our work, we will continue to strengthen that connection.

Woods in and around towns The district, apart from Inverness itself, is largely rural, with most people not living far from woodland. However those woodlands and their facilities may not be readily accessible to all the population. We must continue to seek to acquire land in locations that will serve a larger number of people.

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Key theme four: community development

Community engagement Communities are all different and their needs In addition to geographic communities, there vary enormously. Communities across the district are communities of interest e.g. mountain bikers, have a general interest in their local forests and who may operate over a range of forests and it is some communities have become very active in important that their views are also accommodated. management issues. Our role in these partnerships We work closely with Trees for Life, an interest group varies between community groups, and the concerned with native woodland restoration of partnerships can build and deliver additional benefits the central part of the district, including the use of for which funding is currently limited. volunteers for tree planting and other operations. Many communities simply desire to be kept informed Our role in these partnerships appears to be and appreciate an opportunity for consultation on delivering the long-term base for the community forest plans, and to have an opportunity to influence and interest groups to build from and deliver all the long-term management decisions. Others, e.g. additional benefits that we are not always resourced the Fearnaig Forest Trust, prefer working together to do. with the district with a management agreement/ We are aware that beyond the community bodies our concordat, while they build capacity and investigate woodland and our staff should be serving the needs options. Some communities, e.g. the Laggan Forest of all the sectors of that community. We will always Trust, then feel the confidence to seek to own some ensure that we bear those needs in mind when of their local woodland. designing forests, and delivering facilities and events.

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Key theme four: community development

Community ownership Learning There have been a number of enquiries since the We work very closely with the education sector in advent of the National Forest Land Scheme, and the area. Due to resource limitations, our role has several communities are at various stages in the mainly focused on facilitating use of the forest rather process. Demonstrating support and competence, than always directly leading groups. Increasing efforts and producing a business plan, can be a daunting have been made to engage with the schools, colleges task for a community. Even then there can be and teachers, which has resulted in developing difficulties finding appropriate funding, e.g. the work on the Rural Skills programme, fostering a woodland scheme at Broadford on Skye is currently Forest School, the establishment of several after being re-submitted as the original funding failed. school clubs and working with the Forest Education Initiative cluster. There are successes, such as Laggan, where the Forest Trust purchased three parcels of land. Also, predating We will continue to actively support providing work the current scheme, the community purchase and experience opportunities for secondary school subsequent management of Abriachan is seen as an pupils. There is also significant tertiary education example of what communities can achieve. input at Glenmore Forest Park in the Cairngorm National Park. Land for affordable housing has been a more successful aspect of the National Forest Land Scheme and we have provided a number of sites, e.g. at Fort Augustus, Ratagan, Glenmore and Kincraig. We embrace any enquiry from the community on the sale of land.

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Key theme four: community development

Partnerships Islands Partnerships are important, enabling a coherent The district has land and forest on both Skye and approach to meeting mutual aims with neighbours Raasay. We will take into account local and regional and other stakeholders. Important partnerships have plans, and will contribute by incorporating them in a developed over time e.g. the Glen Urquhart Land Use Forestry Commission Scotland-wide island Partnership and the Scottish Forest Alliance projects planning exercise. on Skye and at Glenmore, and we will continue to actively maintain these and develop others where appropriate. We are open to working with Languages new partners. The Gaelic language is an important component of the cultural identity of the Highlands and is in use by a small but important proportion of the population. Many place names in the district have Gaelic origins, which have been used in local publications, interpretation boards and signs. We will be active in implementing Forestry Commission Scotland´s Gaelic language plan.

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Key theme four: community development

Key Theme: community development

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Woodlands in and around towns

IRS We will try and acquire land closer to expanding urban areas, particularly Inverness, to bring 4.01 forests closer to people and improve access opportunities for those communities.

Community engagement

We will continue to work with and encourage communities to become more involved IRS in the management of, and outputs from, their local forest and to deliver on the existing 4.02 Partnerships within the district.

We will continue to engage with communities of interest such as mountain bike clubs, IRS equestrian organisations, and bodies such as Tree for Life and Highland Disabled Ramblers, 4.03 and to seek out new relevant bodies.

IRS We will actively seek to investigate the needs of all elements of communities and other 4.04 stakeholders, and seek to service those needs to the best of our ability and resources.

Community ownership

Community approaches for sites for facilities or for purchase of land will be positively IRS received. Applications that fit the criteria published in the National Forest Land Scheme will 4.05 be processed as quickly as possible.

We will respond positively to requests from registered social landlords to try to find sites IRS suitable for affordable housing that do not impact significantly on the other objectives of 4.06 management of the forest.

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Key theme four: community development

Key Theme: community development

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Learning

We will target our existing resource at primary schools and helping to develop the vocational IRS sector in secondary schools. Efforts will be made to further develop the Forest School 4.07 programme in the district.

We will continue to provide opportunities for tertiary education, particularly at Glenmore IRS Forest Park and for the Scottish School of Forestry to use woodlands for training, 4.08 to visit Forest Commission Scotland operations and to learn from district staff.

Partnerships

IRS We will continue to contribute to a range of current partnerships, and will actively consider 4.09 new proposals where appropriate.

Islands

IRS We will contribute to local government initiatives in the islands, and contribute to the 4.10 current formulation on a Forestry Commission Scotland island strategy.

Languages

IRS We will seek to promote the Gaelic cultural identity of the Highlands where appropriate, in 4.11 accordance with the Forestry Commission Scotland Gaelic language plan.

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Key theme five: access and health

Scotland has one of the greatest health challenges of the developed nations of Europe. A major part in addressing this will be to increase people’s physical activity levels. Woodlands and forests can make a positive contribution to people’s health and wellbeing and offer access opportunities for the communities that live by, travel through and visit them. They are a place for all types of recreation activity catering for the novice to the international competition.

Recreation The district provides a wide range of opportunities Mountain-biking has grown rapidly in the Highlands for specialist activities e.g. orienteering and paintball and has provided an excellent opportunity for (which is run through permissions). Many forests engagement with the “teen culture” and to provide have recreation facilities (car parks, way-marked expansion of active exercise to improve health. walks, way-marked cycle routes, picnic areas etc), This rapid growth has provided a number of key and interpretation is provided at a number of sites challenges including the appearance of unregulated, through a range of media. We run a full events and in some places unsafe, guerrilla-build programme with the intention of appealing to a wide facilities; the demand for facilities in areas of high range of interests and ages, including the performing environmental value; and the range of needs of this arts. There is also a high level of informal use of the niche market and competing demands for resources. forest. The quality of our recreation provision must In areas where recreation usage is the highest continue to improve. priority, we will adapt forest operations to manage impacts on the visual amenity, particularly the ‘internal view’. We also need to balance public access with potential impact on natural and cultural heritage such as disturbance to priority species.

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Key theme five: access and health

Making access easier Health The distribution of the forests that we manage in The district’s forests are enjoyed by a variety of user the district reflects the geography, terrain and land- groups. Our mountain bike initiatives, at Balnain, use, and past policies. Most forests are not in easy Laggan and Learnie, for example, have helped walking distance from main towns. Public transport encourage local young people to stay active. The links are adequate in some locations, but many mainstay of our provision, i.e. walking, is enjoyed of the forests are normally accessed by car. More by a very wide ability and age group. could be done to encourage access to forests. Our recreational facilities provide well-managed The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides for opportunities for people to enjoy exercise and free and open responsible access to land. Forestry learning, but the forests are far from many urban Commission Scotland fully supports and promotes communities or from areas of the greatest social the Code. deprivation where health tends to be poorer. We Maintaining or improving the quality of access engage with the local public health network and facilities will be an important objective, along health service providers in the Inverness area (e.g. with appropriate customer care to make sure that Step it up Highland) in promoting healthy living all visitors are welcomed and benefit from their through organised events. visits to the national forest estate. In addition to the promoted routes there are many other paths and tracks which now form part of the core path network. Not all of the visitor facilities are suitable for disabled access. We have been working with Highland Disabled Ramblers to remove some of the obvious barriers to disabled access, e.g. poorly designed gates and bridges, and we will continue a programme of improvement at key sites.

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Key theme five: access and health

Key Theme: access and health

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Recreation

Further investment will be sought to maintain and enhance the quality of current facilities IRS (further detail will be included in the district recreation plan), including disabled access. 5.01 Design and translation of leaflets, documents and signs will be proportional to local needs and planned through consultation with local community representatives.

We will develop interpretive strategies (initially for Glenmore Forest Park, Laggan, Glen IRS Affric and Kinloch Hills) that will be used to drive forward a coherent and stimulating 5.02 interpretative experience.

We will work with the mountain-biking community to make sure that a range of facilities IRS is available that meet appropriate safety and environmental standards. Unauthorised 5.03 construction will be actively managed.

Making access easier

IRS We will work with the access authorities in the management of core path networks that add 5.03 value to the local access infrastructure.

We will foster continued interaction with the disabled community to identify and IRS remove barriers to access, using the Countryside For All Good Practice Guide 5.04 and addressing the Disability Discrimination Act in a prioritised approach.

IRS We will promote public transport connections to forests and liaise with businesses that 5.05 provide for younger tourists and those of a different race, such as Rabbie’s Trailblazers.

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Key theme five: access and health

Key Theme: access and health

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Health

IRS Links will be maintained with health service providers in the Inverness area (Step it up 5.07 Highland) to help develop further use of the forests.

We will improve communication of healthy activities, through improved and targeted IRS communication, marketing and interpretation, with a special emphasis on those who 5.08 currently do not make use of the forests.

IRS We will provide a programme of ranger-led ‘activity’ events to encourage families to 5.09 use the forests.

IRS We will encourage more volunteering activity in our woodlands, and will respond positively 5.10 if approached, in keeping with agency policy.

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Key theme six: environmental quality

Good environmental quality is essential for Scotland’s economy, public health and biodiversity. The national forest estate should be an exemplar in conserving environmental quality (including landscape and the historic environment) – it is fundamental to sustainable forest management, to an ecosystem approach and to the delivery of ecosystem services.

Soil, water and air quality Water quality is of prime importance to the Many of the forest soils are vulnerable to district’s people, industry and ecology, notably erosion, compaction or loss of nutrients, but soil the catchments of the Upper Beauly, River quality will not be compromised if consistently Moriston and River Spey special areas of good operational practice is applied. conservation. Significant areas in the south and While good practice will generally protect soils west of the District are designated special areas on flatter to moderate terrain, the district does of conservation for a number of aquatic species. face challenges in operating in steep terrain. The marine environment adjoining the district The inherent technical difficulties, plus extreme must also be protected. There are currently weather events together with low economic proposals for marine national parks in the feasibility mean that work is required in this area to west of the district, which may have a future find sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions. European Union designation for dolphins. The Moray Firth in the east is already designated as a special area of conservation for dolphins.

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Key theme six: environmental quality

Landscape Cultural heritage Around 10% of the district is in the Cairngorms There is a rich heritage of archaeological features, National Park and Forestry Commission Scotland including chambered cairns, hill forts and brochs. will contribute to the park aims. Other forests are Surprisingly there are only 19 scheduled ancient in national scenic areas, including Glen Affric and monuments, but more are proposed, e.g. sections parts of Skye, and areas of great landscape value. of General Wade’s road. Management plans agreed with Historic Scotland are in place for In most cases, forests are a key component of all scheduled ancient monuments and will be these areas and help create the sense of place. maintained. Further opportunities for public and In many cases, the forests make a very positive schools involvement in our cultural heritage will be contribution to the quality of the landscape. We explored. Interpretation and access improvements must make sure that our actions maintain or are a key feature of the Kinloch Hills Project on enhance these features and the wider landscape in Skye, which includes a number of key cultural sites. general. In these areas, where possible, the focus will be on lower impact silvicultural systems. The number of archaeological surveys completed in partnership with local community bodies New recreation initiatives are bringing people is continually increasing, and there is a need into new areas, requiring re-evaluation of forest to make sure that we continue to pursue a design through smaller-scale restructuring and robust system for identifying, recording, and increased species diversification. An extension protecting sites through improved site planning, to the Speyside Way is an example of where forest design and operational processes. we are working collaboratively with others on the development (see access in theme Many large tracts of forest that go to make up five). Scottish Natural Heritage landscape the district’s rich heritage are owned and actively character assessments provide further guidance managed by Forestry Commission Scotland for incorporation into forest plans. including: Glen Affric, and Port Clair, the first plantings by the Forestry Commission. The district also has several key sites that hosted Canadian lumberjacks during the First World War and again during the Second World War. This is leading to a growing awareness of the cultural value of forestry. We must continue to protect and enhance the cultural value of these and other features for future generations.

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Key theme six: environmental quality

Key Theme: environmental quality

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Soil, water and air quality

IRS We will adhere to water guidelines. Improvements will continue to be made to reduce risks 6.01 of sedimentation or acidification.

IRS We will continue our close liaison with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency 6.02 and Scottish Natural Heritage on the delivery of the EU water framework directive.

IRS We will improve site planning and consultation with key stakeholders and will provide better 6.03 information on site and downstream issues for inclusion in the planning of operations.

IRS We will progressively introduce the lengthened fallow periods between felling and replanting 6.04 to reduce the need of insecticides to protect young trees.

Landscape

We will continue to include landscape as a major consideration in long-term forest planning IRS and gradually resolve issues. We will pursue additional resources where site or access 6.05 conditions demand high-cost solutions.

IRS Currently, 10.5% of the district is committed to low impact silvicultural systems. 6.06 This will be increased where crops, sites and circumstances permit.

We will keep a watching brief on the current proposals under consideration IRS for the designation of marine national parks in this area (the proposals include 6.07 sizeable sections of adjacent shore and even whole peninsulas).

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Key theme six: environmental quality

Key Theme: environmental quality

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Cultural heritage

We will continue to work with local archaeologists and Historic Scotland to protect the IRS ancient monuments in our care and to make sure that cultural heritage issues are adequately 6.08 addressed in any proposed developments.

IRS We will support partnerships to promote the cultural value of our built and living heritage, 6.09 and will continue to contribute to the Highland Archaeological Festival.

IRS We will work with the resources and sites available to us to deliver the aims of the 6.10 Cairngorms National Park Plan.

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Key theme seven: biodiversity

A key issue is the prioritisation of resources across the large number of species found in the district or that the national forest estate could impact on. For many species, including many of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and Scottish priority species, building resilient habitat networks and tailoring general woodland management prescriptions will take account of their particular needs. For those species not covered by this, priority will be given to woodland-related species. These species depend strongly on woodland or woodland edge habitats, have a high proportion of their range in Scotland and require specific woodland management measures to be applied on a significant scale. Priority will also be given to notified species features on designated sites where site management can impact on condition, and where the management of the national forest estate can impact on adjacent designated sites with notified species.

Species and habitats We will make sure that we meet the legal A number of priority species (as identified in requirements for protected species under the national species action plans) in the district Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act, Wildlife require protection and enhancement of the & Countryside Act, Habitats Directive and conditions they require, and this is considered as the various conservation regulations. We will part of the forest planning process. These include address the conservation of most wildlife species, red squirrel, capercaillie, black grouse, pearl- including many of the UK and Scottish priority bordered fritillary, juniper, Scottish wood ant species, through general forest management and twinflower. Balancing the competing needs and habitat management prescriptions. of habitat restoration with those of individual species can provide local issues for resolution.

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Key theme seven: biodiversity

Species and habitats (continued) The high proportion of Scots pine and extensive The district has a high proportion of native use of thinning and continuous cover mean woodland and also a further almost 12,500 that the Forestry Commission Scotland ha of forest classified as plantation on ancient holdings such as Glen Affric and Glenmore are woodland sites. The restoration, enhancement particularly well-suited to the requirements of and further expansion of native woodland, and species included in species action plans, such associated open habitats will continue to be a as capercaillie, black grouse, juniper and red high priority. We are fully committed to restoring squirrel. Management to benefit these species will all plantations on ancient woodland sites, unless become increasingly important in the district. there are significant and compelling reasons not to, e.g. retaining Norway spruce for red squirrels. Invasive species are recognised as a national threat to natural habitats. The size of this issue in This district also contains a relatively high this district is currently under review, although proportion of open habitats (39%). We will identify there are already small control programmes and protect priority open habitats, and valuable for Rhododendron and Japanese knotweed. open habitat networks, with a view to creating the optimum forest and open habitat mosaics.

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Key theme seven: biodiversity

Landscapes and ecosystems We have recently completed a joint project A number of opportunities exist to enhance and with Forest Research with the aim of bringing expand the ranges of priority species through the its biological and environment evaluation tools increased use and promotion of large-scale habitat for landscape ecology into practical use to aid networks in the wider landscape, particularly where the complex scenario and ecosystem modelling the existing network of forests is well established. necessary for developing these plans. The tools Habitat networks are thought to be vital to the are being used during the ongoing review survival of species that will need to migrate to of the Upper Beauly forest design plan. survive the potential impact of climate change. We recognise the importance of edge zones Work has been carried out to determine the - transitional/shrubby/edge ecotones and the potential for forest habitat networks across the value of managing these as an important part district, e.g. Badenoch & Strathspey and Glen Affric, of the diversity of habitats of forest networks. which will influence long-term forest planning Deer management is a high priority in the decisions. Management of habitat networks will district. The red deer populations range across incorporate the district’s ongoing restoration of the wider landscape and we are taking part plantations on ancient woodland sites. Part of in seven deer management groups seeking this process will be to increase diversity of forest to gain a compromise between different habitat, while protecting/restoring important landowner objectives. Our principal aim is open habitat, such as bogs. We will be actively to manage a healthy population of deer at a working with neighbouring landowners and level that is compatible with their environment Highlands & Islands Conservancy staff. and our various management objectives.

51 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Key theme seven: biodiversity

Designated sites The district manages a wide range of designated Most of these are classed as ‘favourable’ or sites, including 13 special areas of conservation ‘unfavourable - recovering’. We also manage and six special protection areas that are of small proportions of large sites that are classed as international importance. ‘unfavourable - no change/declining’. Achieving favourable conservation status of woodland and Each of our designated sites in the district has a associated open habitat in the district through management plan agreed with Scottish Natural appropriate management of all designated areas is a Heritage that is revised every five years. Our high priority. management of these sites will be strictly in accordance with these agreed plans.

52 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Key theme seven: biodiversity

Increasing awareness and Geodiversity improving knowledge The national forest estate has a significant role Our local forests contain a wealth of biodiversity in conserving Scotland’s geodiversity, which interest, much of which can prove inaccessible to includes the variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, the general population through lack of awareness. landforms, sediments and soils, together with All efforts should be made to increase the the natural processes which form or alter them. awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the We have some designated sites of special rich biodiversity of the forests in the district. The scientific interest (e.g. Littlemill, Ard Hill) and Visitor Centre at Glenmore Forest Park receives over some other sites which may be suitable for listing 100,000 visitors each year, and has provided the under the Geological Conservation Review. district with a site for detailed interpretation of native woodland and other species and habitat projects. Interpretation is an important management tool, which will be further developed in the district. A major aim of our management of the Glen Affric national nature reserve is to help people to explore, understand and contribute to the enhancement of the local environment. Biodiversity is generally well-recorded in the district to make sure that it receives appropriate protection and consideration. But there are many areas where there are gaps in our knowledge and experience. For example, the Native Woodland Survey once completed will provide an up to date summary of woodland features and their success, which will assist us greatly in our management. We need to co-ordinate and organise monitoring efforts, to make best use of resources and to make sure that the information is readily accessible and utilised. The use of thinning and continuous cover systems as tools to optimise biodiversity gains is in its infancy in the state sector, but the district is well placed to work with Forest Research and other bodies to increase our understanding in this area.

53 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Key theme seven: biodiversity

Key Theme: biodiversity

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Species and habitats

IRS The future forest structure in key zones will be designed to protect and 7.01 enhance the prospects for the species action plan priority species.

IRS Operational practices will be modified to make sure that all protected species 7.02 are recognised during the planning process and disturbance minimised.

There remain over 5,800 ha of plantations on ancient woodland sites where restoration IRS has not started. We will survey all planted ancient woodland sites through the Native 7.03 Woodland Survey of Scotland and use this data to prioritise restoration work.

IRS We will use the NWSS information to prioritise other work to improve 7.04 and expand the important native woodland in the district.

IRS We will gradually carry out a survey of all habitats in the district 7.05 to influence the future development of forest plans.

IRS We will continue the ongoing small programme of rhododendron removal through 7.06 partnership working at key sites such as Slattadale and Achnashellach.

54 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Key theme seven: biodiversity

Key Theme: community development

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Landscapes and ecosystems

We will collaborate with neighbouring landowners, colleagues in IRS Highlands & Islands Conservancy and Scottish Natural Heritage to 7.07 create functioning landscape-scale habitat networks.

We will take ongoing advice from Forest Research on how to implement the IRS practical use of decision-support tools to enhance forest habitat networks 7.08 (e.g. during the ongoing review of the Upper Beauly forest plan).

We will engage neighbours in collaborative deer management through forest planning IRS and other processes to secure effective woodland re-establishment and biodiversity 7.09 objectives. We district will contribute to the work of seven deer management groups.

Designated sites

IRS We will make sure that 95% of features will be in “favourable” or “unfavourable recovering” 7.10 condition classes by 2010, utilising management plans agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage.

IRS We will continue to take account of neighbouring designated sites in forest plans and 7.11 operational plans with the aim of protecting and, where appropriate, enhancing their status.

In some locations with an unfavourable-declining status, e.g. Upper Beauly, IRS where we only manage a proportion of the site, we will co-operate with 7.12 Scottish Natural Heritage to identify ways of improving overall status.

55 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Section two

Key theme seven: biodiversity

Key Theme: community development

Key issue What Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District will do

Increasing awareness and improving knowledge

We will make efforts to increase the awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the rich biodiversity of the forests in the district. We will utilise the IRS visitor centre at Glenmore Forest Park and the implementation of three 7.13 new interpretation plans; for the national nature reserves at Glen Affric and Glenmore and for the native woodland project at Kinloch Hills on Skye.

Geodiversity

IRS We will identify important geodiversity sites on the national forest estate 7.14 and maintain and enhance them through the forest plan process.

56 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Strategic plan 2009-2013 - Section three

Section three: delivery and monitoring

Climate change is the biggest threat facing the planet and Scottish forestry is playing its part in helping tackle climate change. Trees have a significant role in reducing the affects of climate change as they naturally lock up carbon.

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Section three: delivery and monitoring

Context Implementation will be based on the creation of a rolling three-year business plan identifying available resources to deliver work programmes identified in forest plans, other local plans and emergent issues. Detailed work plans are prepared for all significant elements of the programme. In sensitive sites, this often requires further consultation with relevant stakeholders. These are normally prepared 18-24 months before actual work commences. Work is delivered in accordance with a series of guidance notes listed in Appendix four, and all delivery adheres to the operating principles detailed in the strategic plan for the national forest estate.

Following approval of the business plan, the • national policies e.g. UK Forestry Standard, work programmes and allocated resources are Forestry Commission People Strategy confirmed with the local staff who then organise • memoranda and instructions e.g. the work and monitor delivery against agreed monitoring of stocking densities according timescales, costs and quality standards. to Operational Guidance Booklet 4 Monitoring forms an integral part of sustainable forest management and is regarded as an essential tool for improving practice. It is in-built into almost every aspect of management from financial to operational, to environmental, to health and safety, to recreational, to landscape, through:

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Section three: delivery and monitoring

Types of monitoring carried out in the Informal monitoring is concerned primarily with district - formal and informal. the day-to-day management of the district work Formal monitoring is concerned with programme, and is carried out primarily in-house. areas where we have legal, moral or policy Informal monitoring include activities such as: obligations to fulfil and often also audited • contract progress by external parties. Important areas covered under this heading include: • site visits • personal budget monitoring • monitoring of overall standards (e.g. compliance with forest plans, UK • work programme monitoring Woodland Assurance Standard, etc.) • time management • conservation monitoring The results from these have a variety of uses, • archaeological monitoring both long and short-term and are a useful tool in improving our management skills. • health and safety monitoring They: • business plan monitoring • are analysed and the recommendations We also have to monitor against the indicators are fed back, where appropriate, identified in the Forest Enterprise Scotland strategic into our planning process plan for the national forest estate. These will then • help to influence future management of the be amalgamated across all ten forest districts forests, as well as aiding development of the to determine collective progress in delivering future work programme and budget planning against the Scottish Forestry Strategy. These results • can also help shape new local policies, will be published annually at national level. as well as improving existing ones

The repositioning of the national forest estate will continue, with woods of greatest public benefit retained as part of the estate. Information about the repositioning policy is contained in the strategic plan for the national forest estate. Details of the scoring for woods in the district are contained in Appendix five.

59 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Strategic plan 2009-2013 - Appendices

Appendices

The use of wood as a fuel will help reduce harmful greenhouse emissions and we are working hard to promote wood fuel developments.

60 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Appendix one: supporting maps

61 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Appendix one: supporting maps

62 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Appendix one: supporting maps

63 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Appendix one: supporting maps

64 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Appendix one: supporting maps

65 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Appendix one: supporting maps

66 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Appendices

Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Fort Augustus Forest District

The assessments for the two previous Forest Districts, Fort Augustus and Inverness, have been kept separate tables. Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 1: To maximise the value of the wood resource

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Produce an updated Yes Produced annually, indicating a Yes periodic forecast of timber rising production albeit younger production. crops in the west of the District. Annual harvesting Yes Achieved in all years, but <1 % Yes programme to be within increase in 2005-2006 as a result +/-5% of production of District- wide windblow. forecast/sales plan forecast. Customer and market Yes Achieved in period and income Yes requirements will be co- exceeded in each year. Niche ordinated. markets developed, e.g. DF (Jones) and increased customer base/partnerships, e.g. Gordon's shipping and UPM pulp exports. More effective timber Yes Developments of shipping Yes transport. transport (61,000t), rail transport experiments and increased export market have reduced road transport. The District has also been an integral part of the Strategic Timber Transport Group.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Fort Augustus Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 2: To create a diverse forest resource for the future

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Ensure every forest is part Partial Currently at 94% - full 100% Yes of an approved forest plan compliance will be achieved at by 2007. March 2007. Deliver target dates for Partial Largely being achieved where Yes clearfelling identified in economic felling and practical forest plans to realise harvesting considerations allow proposed improvements (Forests at Glenshiel, South to age class diversity. Strome, Achnashellach, Glen Brittle, and North Strome are the exception). Shipping transport has enabled some uneconomic and difficult sites to be worked since 2000, e.g. Ardintoul, Totaig, and Brochel. A number of ‘fell to recycle’ sites have also been worked to achieve this aim. Ensure quality timber Partial Target stocking density achieved Yes crops are created for the with the exception of a number future by achieving target of sites where stock ingress re-stocking densities (Broadford), rabbits (Glen Brittle), (OGB4) at planting by late frost (Douglas fir, Great Glen) planting suitable species and weevil (Achnashellach) have and provenances, and reduced target stocking density protecting them from figures. An increase in back- damage by mammals, end planting since 2004, cash insects and fungi. injection towards fence removal/ maintenance, and larger planting stock have been initiated to alleviate these problems.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Fort Augustus Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 2: To create a diverse forest resource for the future

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Develop rationale and Partial Thinning plan produced, but Yes planning processes for implementation has been difficult identifying thinning in areas of winch work, difficult programme. access, small tree size and mixed species, e.g. West Coast forests, Great Glen, Moriston, Guisachan and Inchnacardoch. Extensive windblow has had substantial effect on thinning programmes in the last year. Thinnable sites have been identified for second rotation crops and areas.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Fort Augustus Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 3: To make a positive contribution to the environment

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Update action plans for Yes All plans renewed to agreed Yes SACs, SSSIs, NNR and timescales with SNH and other UKBAP and LHAP in stakeholders. Progress made in collaboration with SNH clearing conifers from Coille Mhor, and other stakeholder Kinloch, and Ness woods SAC colleagues. areas. Restore ancient woodland Partial Excellent progress being made Yes sites. on a wide range of sites including Ardintoul, Brochel and Balmacara. Considerable work has been carried out throughout the District on the restoration of PAWS sites with over 3,500ha restored in the Strategic Plan period. Develop and implement Partial The District has developed Yes collaborative partnerships collaborative partnerships with to enhance the value of a wide range of environmental the forest estate. bodies and European funding agencies, e.g. Scottish Forest Alliance at Kinloch Hills (carbon sequestration and native woodland development), SAFER at Glen Urquhart (flood prevention and water catchment management), MFST at Glen Affric and Achnashellach (native woodland, and a number of strategic deer management plans.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Fort Augustus Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 3: To make a positive contribution to the environment

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Improve forest landscape, Partial Work has progressed throughout Yes particularly in NSAs and the District, but notably at NNRs. Glenshiel and Loch Duich where extensive restructuring has taken place including increased species diversity, open space, access and native woodland restoration. Prepare action plans for Yes All plans renewed to agreed Yes SAMs in collaboration timescales with HS. Most on a with Historic Scoland care and maintenance basis, colleagues. with particular work carried out at Raasay Iron Ore mines, although recent windblow in the vicinity has increased the need for future work. Two further sites are proposed for scheduling at Dun Dheardil and Inverfarigaig Military bridge in South Loch Ness as a result of ongoing liaison with HS. Work on designed landscapes has also been carried out at InverArish (Raasay).

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Fort Augustus Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 3: To make a positive contribution to the environment Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Identify and protect Partial Good work carried out on a range Yes unscheduled monuments of unscheduled monuments, and historically important with many sites being surveyed trees (individuals or by local heritage groups and groups) on the national local archaeologists. Additionally, forest estate. hosting Highland Archaeology weeks have increased local expertise, knowledge and involvement throughout the District. Progress with this aim has increased the liaison and partnership working with Highland Council and HS. Protect marine SAC areas Partial Work has developed around Yes and promote regeneration the marine SAC in the District of native aquatic species. where reductions in siltation and sedimentation, and nutrient effects have protected shellfish areas and native aquatic species at Loch na Beiste, Loch Carron, Loch Alsh and Loch Long. Increase the area Partial Increased the area committed Yes committed to continuous to continuous cover from cover forestry and under 8% to just over 19%. improve management Recent windblow has affected techniques. approximately 4% of core alternatives to clearfell (ATC) areas.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Fort Augustus Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 4: To create opportunities for more people to enjoy trees, woods and forests

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Promote outdoor Partial Major progress made through Yes recreation and green multi-partnership projects and tourism. events, e.g. Great Glen Way Initiative, Loch Ness Partnership, and Aig an Oir. A number of community-led partnerships have developed this aim further, e.g. South Loch Ness Access Group, Skye & Lochalsh Mountain Bike Group, Strathglass Marketing Group. Initial scoping developments regarding the Great Glen Forest Park signal further opportunities for the District. Provide information about Yes Joint ‘What’s On’ events calendar Yes major events and forest produced in collaboration with operations. Lochaber FD, Highland Council Great Glen Way. Events and forest operations are highlighted and promoted to a local and wide audience through a combination of press releases, leaflets and local signage, and country shows (Balmacara).

73 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Appendices

Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Fort Augustus Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 4: To create opportunities for more people to enjoy trees, woods and forests

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Provide interpretation on Yes Funding has been secured for Yes significant natural and Strome Forest in partnership with cultural history at popular local tourism initiative, as well sites. as local interpretation through the concordat with Fernaig Community Trust. Additional work is ongoing in upgrading the old Farigaig centre to accommodate ranger facilities, and local red squirrel and heritage groups. Provide new and Partial Development of recreational Yes upgraded recreational facilities in and around the Great facilities in response to Glen Forest Park (Farigaig), NNR, demand. Great Glen Way Initiative and Great Glen mountain biking trails (Balnain and Glen Urquhart), as well further development of the Kylerhea Otterhide and long- distance footpaths at Kinloch Hills. Upgrades to current sites under the Highland Access Project have been completed (Broadford, Enrick, and Raasay).

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 4: To create opportunities for more people to enjoy trees, woods and forests

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Meet requests for Yes Recreation rangers in the District Yes educational visits. have developed close links with primary and secondary school inside and outside the area, with links to curriculum. Close links have also been developed with local secondary schools in developing Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) vocational skill courses. An increase in work experience placements, including adult ‘return to work’ schemes’, have further enhanced the District as a centre of educational learning.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Fort Augustus Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 5: To help communities benefit from woods and forests

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Respond to increasing Yes The District has facilitated a number Yes public interest in our of active community groups at activities. differing levels of involvement, including National Forest Land Scheme requests (e.g. Sleat, Fernaig, Broadford, Kirkton), groups with official concordat/management agreements (e.g. Strathglass, Fernaig, Balmacara, Craigmonie), and a number of partnership communities where a special relationship has developed (e.g. GULP, Strathglass Marketing Group, Kyleakin). Promote opportunities for Partial The District has had considerable Yes other activities on forest involvement in providing land. affordable housing at a number of sites, including Shenval, Balmacara, Ratagan and Jenkins Park (Incnacardoch). A myriad of other events has allowed people to enjoy their forests and benefit the local economy, e.g. husky dog racing, Glen Affric Duathlon and 3G mountain biking events, Maggie's Charity walks, Scottish Six Day Motocross, Snowman Rally and Drumbuie Challenge.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Fort Augustus Forest District Maintain an efficient and effective organisation

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Manage impact (positive Yes Currently being achieved Yes and negative) of through a recognised meeting organisational change. strategy to manage knowledge, communication and morale, and involving core HR systems such as forward job plans, training plans and performance management systems. Ensure that delivery Yes Continual improvement to Yes complies with standards relevant local processes and identified in UKWAS to performance in areas identified maintain certification for national corrective actions. of sustainable forest District externally audited by management. UKWAS surveillance in 2003, with generally positive feedback from the auditors. Monitoring programme Partial Site condition monitoring is being Yes will be fully identified, led by SNH as part of the overall prioritised, resourced and monitoring programme. The carried out on time. programme has been identified, but we have yet to develop a comprehensive database for resuming monitoring projects.

77 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Appendices

Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 1: To maximise the value of the wood resource

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Produce an updated Yes Produced annually. Yes periodic forecast of timber production (inferred) Annual harvesting Yes Disrupted in 2005 by catastrophic Yes programme to be within windlow +/-5% of Production Forecast/Sales Plan forecast (inferred) Aim to meet customer Yes Disrupted in 2005 by catastrophic Yes requirements in terms of windlow timing of sales and the quality of the product produced. (inferred)

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 2: To create a diverse forest resource for the future

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? FE is committed to Partial Ongoing at this stage. FDP Yes. Change achieving 100% FDP coverage was 78% by area in 2000, wording to; ‘ensure coverage with approved and is 84% by area in March 2006. every forest has an FDP’s by 2010. approved Forest Plan by 07/08’. Deliver target dates for Partial Virtually all clearfelled coupes Yes clearfelling identified in were completed within Forest Plans to realise prescribed timescales. The proposed improvements programme was disrupted to age class diversity in 2005 due to windblow (inferred) Develop rationale and Yes Thinning plan has been produced Yes planning processes for identifying thinning programme (inferred) A review of non-native Yes A new FDP was completed during No. A specific target conifers in the Black 2003 taking into account this now subsumed Isle Main Block will be review requirement. within the FDP. undertaken. A re-distribution of Partial Via FDP process. Yes planned open space is required to ensure that its impact is more sensibly directed to meet management, conservation and landscape needs

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 2: To create a diverse forest resource for the future

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? For all areas where FDP’s Partial Via FDP process. No exist, but management prescriptions are incomplete or unclear, all broadleaved areas will be retrospectively reassessed and objectives with a vision statement will be drafted, and agreed with the FC by 31 December 2000. A systematic survey Partial Via FDP process. No of all FDP broadleaf areas, both naturally regenerated and planted, will be undertaken with a view to ensuring that all currently planted and naturally regenerated areas as indicated within the FDP’s are retrospectively assessed by 31 December 2001.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 2: To create a diverse forest resource for the future

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Sites for the development Yes Via FDP process. Individual Yes. To cover sites, of Alternatives to conversion plans have been which may not be Clearfelling have been and produced within ?? ha/woodlands. picked up at micro will be selected during the Scope remains limited within site level in FDP’s, preparation of FDP’s. Sites Inverness FD. where most ATC will be selected where areas are indicated. they have soils, crops and access which means that ATC has a reasonable prospect of success. Inshriach may be Yes Inshriach is now such a site and No developed as part of a this is recorded in the FDP. national series of test sites for ATC’s. Brief management plans Partial Yes will be developed for each of the (Inverness FD) ATC areas Genetically improved Yes Genetically improved No. This is a policy planting stock for material requested annually decision, and relies sitka spruce and scots as a matter of course. on PSSB available pine should be used supply. whenever available The use of scots pine Yes Via FDP process. Yes should be concentrated on ironpans and podsols, although in areas of CFR it will be appropriate to also develop scots pine on other site types 81 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Appendices

Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 3: To make a positive contribution to the environment

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Prepare action plans for Yes Two new SAM’s to be scheduled Yes SAM’s in collaboration (Moy Wolf traps and Meallmore with Historic Scotland Wades Bridge) colleagues. Continue to identify and protect unscheduled features on the national forest estate (inferred) FE staff will consult Yes The FD continues to maintain Yes regularly with SNH staff a good working relationship regarding the delivery with SNH on all aspects of SSSI plans (and of our management. SAC’s) and shall seek appropriate legal consent where this is required. On European designated Yes In agreement with SNH who do a Yes sites FE will work with SNH large number of their own to establish and conduct monitoring regimes to meet the requirements of both organisations. FE will work with other Yes Good relationships are Yes. organisations to manage maintained with agencies and conserve species and special interest bodies (including woodland grouse, red kite, badgers, and wood ants) using best practice.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 3: To make a positive contribution to the environment

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? The (deer management) Yes Ongoing Yes. Now DMO, strategy will be reviewed WRM responsibility. annually as part of the Inverness FD resumption system by the Chief Ranger, and endorsed by the District Forester, Forest management. Inverness FD will Partial Ongoing Yes through its strategic and design planning process implement the programme of surveys and restoration (of PAW’s sites) required by UKWAS. A detailed assessment of Yes Sites were prioritised, and Yes PAW’s sites is expected management requirements built to be completed into plans. during 2000.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 3: To make a positive contribution to the environment

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Natural Reserves will be Partial Via the FDP process No. Physical Forest established in each Forest Zones will not feature Zone, except for Urban in the new SP. Small Woods There are areas of Partial Ongoing Yes. natural woodland, both Caledonian pinewoods and native broadleaves, which will be preserved. There is also an opportunity to increase the areas of broadleaves within the forest. This will be concentrated around watercourses and in areas of greater public use.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 4: To create opportunities for more people to enjoy trees, woods and forests

Target description and Target Comments Should this target planned achievement date achieved be updated and (yes/no/ carried forward partial)? to new district strategic plan? Provide Information about Yes ‘What’s On?’ programme is main Yes major events and forest deliverer of FCS events. On site operations (inferred) signage plus press releases used to inform public of operations. Further work with respect to Partial Move towards ‘Interpretation Plans’, Yes Recreation will be developed being primed by a national version in the revised Recreation Plan – still awaited. Some local IP’s have being developed later in 2000 been produced in draft form. New opportunities for Yes Many examples of EU, LEC, other No. Finance should funding (recreation projects) Agency partnerships are available. not deter strategic such as Landfill Tax, EU thinking and/or funding and other sources will planning. be pursued. Undertake a programme of Partial Yes archaeological surveys (e.g.; Beglan, Drum an Aird) Provide interpretation Yes Including an annual refurbishment at Yes on significant natural Glenmore VC of at least one exhibit. and cultural history at popular sites. (inferred)

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 4: To create opportunities for more people to enjoy trees, woods and forests

Target description and Target Comments Should this target planned achievement date achieved be updated and (yes/no/ carried forward partial)? to new district strategic plan? Provide new recreation Yes Laggan Wolftrax, Learnie Red Yes facilities in response to Rock Trails, Clootie well car park demand. (inferred) and paths, Ben Wyvis car park, Clashwood car park, Laggan Pony Paths to name a few. Meet requests for educational Yes Educational visits demand always Yes visits, and be pro-active in exceeds capacity to deliver. Two contacting schools. (inferred) recreation rangers have been employed to assist with delivery to schools. Forest School has been set up at Smithton. Two after schools nature clubs have also been set up in Strathspey.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Scottish Forestry Strategy Priority for Action 5: To help communities benefit from woods and forests

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Inverness FD are working Partial Many Inverness FD examples. Yes. Targets should progressively to introduce be more SMART and all of the policies refer to WIAT. contained within these documents (Working with Communities in Scotland: Our Commitment’, ‘Working with Communities in Britain: How to get involved’). Full implementation by 2003. Respond to the increasing Yes Forests for Real and Participatory Yes public interest in FCS Appraisals have been carried activities (inferred) out on the Black Isle and for the forests around Inverness city. Communities are invited to scope Forest Plans. Promote opportunities for Yes Many examples. E.g. the two Yes other activities on national mountain bike centres have forest estate land (inferred) provided on and off site opportunities (including a new café at Laggan) and two paintball centres have been set up.

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Maintain an efficient and effective organisation

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Ensure that delivery Yes The FD continues to improve Yes complies with standards relevant local processes and identified in the UKWAS performances in the areas to maintain certification identified for corrective of sustainable forest actions. The FD was externally management (inferred) audited in 1999 and 2005, with generally positive feedback from the audit team. Detailed tables of Partial No. Zonation is being descriptions, implications superceded and management proposals for all FD forest zones to be developed Forest Enterprise is working Yes No. Reviews on to achieve Investors in these subjects will People status and is working be carried out at to unify its employee base national level. during 1998-2002. Local Health & Safety Policy Yes Yes. is updated annually. During 2000 the FD will Yes As part of Staff Unification process. Yes, merely as an introduce staff reporting for appendix. all staff

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Appendix two: Evaluation of achievements (1999 – 2006) under previous Strategic Plan - Inverness Forest District Maintain an efficient and effective organisation

Target description and Target Comments Should this target be planned achievement date achieved updated and carried (yes/no/ forward to new partial)? district strategic plan? Information from the Yes Along with ‘Mapmate’ for No. Target achieved Conservation database will recording sightings. and the system be transferred to the FD GIS is integrated into in the next few years. routine. During the next 5 years Yes The FD has 28 FDP’s No. Physical Forest action will be taken to in March 2006. Zones will not feature amalgamate the smaller in the new SP. (Inverness FD) FDP’s with adjoining areas which are in the same Forest Zone. This will reduce the FDP’s to fewer than 40. Monitoring programme Partial A number of monitoring Yes will be fully identified, programmes are carried out prioritised, resourced by external sources and ‘on the and carried out on ground’ colleagues. time (inferred)

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Appendix three: glossary for forest policy context diagram:

• Business plan: A three year rolling plan which outlines the financial requirements for delivering the work programme in the district. The first year contains a compilation of the costs associated with the relevant work plans. These are then prioritised against the agreed financial targets, which are set at national level and reflect the settlement from the Scottish Government’s spending review. • Forestry Commission policies, guidelines, etc: These are the various internal Forestry Commission policies and guidance on practices across a wide range of activities e.g. operational practice, Health & Safety issues, estate management, etc. • Forest District Strategic Plan: This plan describes how national, regional and corporate strategies will be applied at a local level. The plan identifies Forest Enterprise Scotland policies and priorities in the district and the rationale behind them. • Forest Enterprise Scotland framework document: The plan sets out how Forest Enterprise Scotland will develop and manage the national forest estate in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner to meet government forestry policies, especially the Scottish Forestry Strategy. • Forest plans: These plans relate to individual forests and groups of woodlands. They describe the woodland, place them in context with the surrounding area, and identify issues that are relevant to the woodland or forest. From these objectives are set, long-term felling and re-stocking plans prepared, and opportunities to improve the woodland for nature conservation and recreation are considered. These individual forest plans are subject to formal consultation processes and have to be agreed with the Forestry Commission’s Conservator. The Conservator is independent of Forest Enterprise Scotland and oversees the promotion and regulation of forestry, in both the private as well as public sector, on behalf of the Forestry Commissioners. • Forestry and woodland frameworks: Local forestry frameworks cover more localised areas than indicative forestry strategies and look in more detail at the opportunities for forest expansion. • Indicative forestry strategies: Indicative forestry strategies are prepared by local authorities and identify areas preferred for forestry expansion and areas sensitive to further expansion in respect to a range of issues such as the landscape, natural and cultural heritage, communities and water quality. • Monitoring: This includes a wide range of informal and formal monitoring described more fully in Section 6 and in the strategic plan for the national forest estate. • Regional Forestry Forum: Advises Forestry Commission Scotland on the regional implementation of the Scottish Forestry Strategy and provides a regional perspective on the strategy’s future development.

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Appendix three: glossary for forest policy context diagram:

• Scottish Forestry Strategy: This is the Scottish Government’s framework for taking forestry forward in Scotland. It sets out a vision that “By the second half of this century, people are benefiting widely from Scotland’s trees, woodlands and forests, actively engaging with and looking after them for the use and enjoyment of generations to come. The forestry resource has become a central part of our culture, economy and environment.” • Strategic plan for the national forest estate: Defines how Forestry Commission Scotland through its operating arm, Forest Enterprise Scotland, will implement the Scottish Forestry Strategy on the national forest estate. The national strategic plan describes the strategic and operational context; monitoring framework and implementation proposals that guide the district strategic plan. The policies and best practice referred to in the strategic plan for the national forest estate will also be delivered as part of the implementation of the forest district strategic plans. It also provides direction for implementing a repositioning policy that will ensure the nature and distribution of the national forest estate better reflects its role and purpose. • Thematic plans: These include statutory plans e.g. management plans for sites of special scientific interest agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage and scheduled ancient monument management plans agreed with Historic Scotland. There are also local plans for detailing how certain aspects of local management will be delivered and prioritised (see Appendix four). • UK Forestry Standard: This outlines the UK Government’s approach to sustainable forestry in the UK with reference to the European and global protocols for sustainable development. • UK Woodland Assurance Standard: UK Woodland Assurance Standard is a certification standard that reflects the UK Forestry Standard, the guidelines adopted by European Forestry Ministers at Helsinki in 1993, and the Forest Stewardship Council Standard for Great Britain. It provides consumers with independently vetted assurance of quality in respect of the environmental and social implications of forest management. • Work plans: These include operational site plans that are prepared in advance of all major forest operations, i.e. felling, thinning, road construction and re-planting. Work plans draw on forest plans and identify site constraints, risk assessment, opportunities, and areas requiring special protection, etc. • Work programme: This is the work carried out in each financial year, which is mainly derived from the list of work plans that have been approved in the business plan. It will also include unforeseen or emergency work that arises in the year.

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Appendix four: List of local thematic plans, management plans and guidance notes

Note; the bringing together of two previous forest districts (Inverness and Fort Augustus), with their own characteristics, into a single unit (Inverness, Ross & Skye) in April 2009, means that all local plans are having to be combined/reviewed. In particular it is not possible currently to give a list of guidance notes, as these are all being reviewed at a national level. Some examples are given below, but the final list will follow the national guidance.

Thematic plans Date Revision Comments produced planned* Business continuity plan various 2010 See note above Biodiversity plan various 2010 See note above Deer management plan various 2010 See note above Recreation strategy various 2010 See note above Safety policy statement 2009 Annual Sales plan 2009 Annual Thinning plan various 2011 See note above Tree safety management plan 2009 2014 Roads plan 2009 2010 Safety policy statement 2008 annual Sales plan 2009 annual Thinning plan 2006 2009 Tree safety management 2008 2013

Management plans Date Revision Comments produced planned* Business plan 2009 Annual Forest plans various 10 years 47 plans in total Scheduled ancient monuments various 5 years 21 plans in total Shooting/fishing management plans various 1 or 3 years 21 plans in total Sites of special scientific interest various 5 years 23 plans in total management plans (including 13 SAC’s)

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Appendix five: Portfolio analysis scoring for each block including diagram illustrating spread of blocks against economic benefits and non market benefits

Introduction The portfolio analysis of the national forest estate is concerned with the current condition of individual forest design plan units or forest blocks, not our aspirations for them or what we believe their untapped potential might be. Although the scoring system is recognised as being imperfect, it represents a reasonable approximation of the relative strategic importance across our land portfolio. The system was developed following piloting work on the application of the scoring system at four forest districts (Cowal & Trossachs, Galloway, Moray, Tay). This was then tested at all districts in Scotland and refined or amended in response to feedback. The system was further refined following a series of meetings between clusters of neighbouring districts and FES Management Board members. This also provided a national overview that the array of scores made sense both within and between districts. The final version of the scoring system is set out below. The absolute score achieved by a forest design plan unit is not particularly important. It is the positioning of units relative to each other that is of value in understanding where management time and resources should be best directed for maximum positive effect.

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Appendix five: Portfolio Analysis scoring on the national forest estate

Economic scoring Score Harvesting surplus (clearfell and thinning) >£5/tonne profit 10 – based on 2006 market conditions <£5/tonne profit 6 (Note: 10-year horizon for harvesting activity, if harvesting Break even 3 is expected in that period then use best estimate of expected <£5/tonne loss 1 profit or loss/tonne. A block with no potential for commercial harvesting should score 0.) >£5/tonne loss 0 Establishment and maintenance costs Lower than the forest district 4 average (Note: Establishment and maintenance to include all expenditure up to year 10 needed to establish crops. Remember to include Forest districtD average 2 whole forest design planP issues such as boundary fencing Higher than the forest district 0 maintenance costs.) average

Capital road cost Fully roaded 10 (new and upgrade over next 10 years) < 2km to build 7 (A block with no potential for commercial harvesting and, 2 km to < 5 km to build 5 therefore, no plans for capital road investment should score 0.) 5 km to < 10km to build 2 10 km and over to build 0 Other income generation >£250k pa 10 (Notes - other income to include estates development, recreation, £101-250k pa 6 etc. Development opportunities that have a signed option £51-100k pa 3 agreement can be included in the current economic analysis.) £11-50k pa 2 £1-10k pa 1 <£1k pa 0

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Appendix five: Portfolio Analysis scoring on the national forest estate

Non-market benefits scoring

Score Conservation designations SAC/SSSI >100ha 10 (Note: The presence of the designation is not sufficient to merit a UK HAP > 50% 6 high score. The forest design plan must be positively contributing UK HAP 20-50% 4 to the enhancement of the site condition relative to the notified conservation interest. Area in hectares relates to area in Forest SAC/SSSI 20-100ha 3 Enterprise Scotland management.) SAC/SSSI <20ha or HAP <20% 1 No designations or HAPs 0 SAP Species > 5 species 10 (As highlighted in Forestry Commission Scotland biodiversity 4 - 5 species 8 strategy – red squirrel, capercaillie, black grouse, pearl-bordered 3 species 6 fritillary butterfly, chequered skipper butterfly, juniper, Scottish wood ant, Wilson’s pouchwort, twinflower, small cow wheat.) 2 species 3 1 species 1 None 0 Native tree species 51-100% 10 (Note: Native species – this refers to tree species cover of the 21-50% 6 forested portion of the forest design plan unit. Anticipates drive 11-20% 4 for greater reliance on native species from Scottish Forestry Strategy and Environment Peer Review Group.) 6-10% 2 1-5% 1 <1% 0

Legend HAP = habitat action plan, NSA = national scenic area; SAC = special area of conservation; SAM = scheduled ancient monument; SAP = species action plan, SFS = Scottish Forestry Strategy, SSSI = site of special scientific interest; WIAT = woodlands in and around towns initiative

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Appendix five: Portfolio Analysis scoring on the national forest estate

Non-market benefits scoring (continued)

Score Woodlands in adn around towns (WIAT) Large population (>5000)/ 10 well developed facilities (Note – only woodlands falling into the Forestry Commission Scotland WIAT criteria can score any points.) Large population (>5000)/ 8 minimal facilities

Small population (2000- 4 5000)/well developed facilities Small population (2000- 2 5000)/minimal facilities N/A 0 Community engagement Signed agreement 5 (including schools) User group/active 3 participation

Consultation/information 1 No engagement 0 Recreation >250k visits pa 10 (Note – visitor numbers must be verifiable from counters and/or 101-250k visits pa 8 intercept surveys or be based on sound local knowledge.) 51-100k visits pa 5 11-50k visits pa 3 1-10k visits pa 2 <1k visits pa 1 No visits 0

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Appendix five: Portfolio Analysis scoring on the national forest estate

Non-market benefits scoring (continued)

Score Habitat network Significant component 5 (>25%) of an existing core (*Core habitat area defined as regionally significant (>10,000 habitat area* ha), relatively contiguous, contains at least 20% native species in woodland element and/or at least 80% native species in open Component (10-25%) of an 3 land element.) existing corehabitat area Contributor to functional 2 connectivity of (or from) the core habitat area or important local habitat network Little or no existing 0 contribution to habitat networks

Landscape National Park – helps create 10 sense of place

National scenic area (NSA) 8 – helps create sense of place Positive backdrop to 5 significant town (>10,000) National Park – positive 3 contributor NSA/Designed landscapes – 2 positive contributor Positive backdrop to town 1 (>2000)/ major tourism route No positive impact in the 0 landscape

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Appendix five: Portfolio Analysis scoring on the national forest estate

Non-market benefits scoring (continued)

Score Thinnable 51-100% 5 (Note: Thinnable area – the area of forest which has been 21-50% 3 thinned or is programmed for thinning in the next 10 years. This 5-20% 2 essentially reflects the amount of flexibility available to apply low impact systems and as a consequence deliver non-market <5% 0 benefits.)

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Appendix five: Portfolio Analysis scoring on the national forest estate

Forest block H+M Est & Roads Oth Total Cons BAP Native WIAT Community Recreation FHN NP/NSA Thin Total Maint income economic designation species tree species NMB score score Aigas 6 2 5 1 14 0 3 6 0 3 2 2 0 2 18

Assich, Laiken & Ferness 10 4 10 1 25 0 8 6 0 1 2 2 0 5 24

Muir of Ord Woods 10 4 10 0 24 0 3 10 2 1 5 2 1 5 29

Black Isle Main Block 10 2 10 1 23 1 8 10 0 5 8 5 1 5 43

Black Isle West 10 4 10 1 25 10 8 10 0 1 5 2 1 5 42

Boblainy & Battan 6 2 7 0 15 3 10 10 0 1 2 2 0 5 33

Craig Phadrig 6 4 10 0 20 0 3 6 10 1 10 2 5 5 42

Culloden 10 4 10 0 24 0 8 6 10 3 10 0 1 5 43

Daviot 10 2 10 3 25 0 3 10 10 1 5 2 0 5 36

Farr 10 2 10 1 23 0 6 6 0 1 1 2 0 5 21

Glenkirk 0 2 0 6 8 1 3 6 0 1 1 0 0 2 14

Glenmore 10 2 10 6 28 10 10 10 0 3 10 5 10 5 63

Inshriach 6 0 7 1 14 10 10 10 0 5 8 5 10 5 63

Meallmore, Inverarnie & Littlemill 6 4 10 2 22 10 8 6 0 3 3 3 0 2 35

Moy 10 2 10 0 22 0 3 6 0 1 2 2 0 5 19

Ord Hill 6 4 10 0 20 0 3 6 4 1 5 2 5 5 31

Reelig 6 2 7 0 15 3 6 6 0 5 3 2 0 5 30

Slattadale 3 0 10 2 15 4 1 4 0 5 3 3 8 2 30

Strathmashie 6 0 5 2 13 1 8 6 0 5 3 2 3 2 30

Upper Beauly 10 4 2 2 18 10 10 10 0 5 5 5 10 3 58

Kinloch hills 6 4 7 2 19 10 8 6 0 3 3 5 1 3 39

Enrick 10 2 10 1 23 0 8 4 0 3 2 3 1 5 26

South Loch Ness 10 2 2 1 15 4 8 4 0 3 5 5 1 3 33

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Appendix five: Portfolio Analysis scoring on the national forest estate

Forest block H+M Est & Roads Oth Total Cons BAP Native WIAT Community Recreation FHN NP/NSA Thin Total Maint income economic designation species tree species NMB score score Moriston 6 2 5 2 15 3 10 6 0 1 1 5 1 3 30

Achnashellach 6 4 5 2 17 6 8 6 0 1 1 2 1 2 27

Balmacara 3 2 5 1 11 10 3 6 0 3 2 2 2 3 31

Inchnacardoch 10 2 5 1 18 1 8 2 0 1 2 5 1 3 23

Broadford 10 2 7 0 19 1 1 1 0 3 2 0 1 5 14

South Strome 6 2 7 1 16 0 1 2 0 5 2 2 1 2 15

Glen Brittle 6 0 7 1 14 4 0 2 0 0 2 0 2 2 12

Glenelg 3 2 5 0 10 4 0 4 0 0 1 2 2 0 13

Loch Duich 3 0 7 1 11 0 1 2 0 1 1 3 2 2 12

Raasay 1 0 7 0 8 4 0 1 0 3 2 0 2 0 12

North Strome 3 2 5 0 10 0 0 2 0 3 1 2 0 2 10

Glenvaragill 6 0 5 2 13 1 0 0 0 1 2 2 1 0 7

Glenshiel 3 0 7 0 10 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 5

Sleat 6 0 5 0 11 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3

Glenvicaskill 6 0 2 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 3

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Appendix five: Portfolio Analysis scoring on the national forest estate

Portfolio Analysis

30

Daviot

25 Farr Culloden Glenmore

20

South Strome Ord Hill Upper Beauly 15 Inchnacardoch Sleat Economic Inshriach

10 Balmacara

Glenvicaskill Glenkirk 5

0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Non-market

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Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the forestry directorate of the Scottish Government and is responsible to Scottish Ministers Contact Inverness, Ross and Skye Forest District Tower Road Smithton Inverness IV2 7NL Tel: 01463 791575 Fax: 01463 793872 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

If you need this publication in an alternative format, for example, in large print or in another language, please contact:

The Diversity Team Forestry Commission Silvan House 231 Corstorphine Road Edinburgh EH12 7AT

Tel: 0131 314 6575 E-mail: [email protected]

Published by - Forestry Commission Scotland - December 2009 © Crown Copyright 2009

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