List of forests managed by Forestry and Land Scotland explained

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) (gd|Coilltearachd agus Fearann Alba) was formed on 1 April 2019 and is responsible for managing and promoting the National Forest Estate in Scotland.[1] The national forest estate owned by FLS covers 6,400 km2, being roughly 8% of the land area of Scotland. Around two-thirds of this land is forested, with the remaining land consisting of a mixture of agricultural land and open areas such as moorland.[2]

As of January 2020 there were 307 individual forests listed on the FLS website;[3] there are also 6 designated forest parks.

List of Forests

NameLocationSize (hectares)DescriptionReferences
Aberfoyle ForestStirlingPart of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.[4]
AchnabreacArgyll and ButeAn area of open woodland close to the prehistoric sites of Kilmartin Glen.[5]
Achnashellach ForestHighland1,535Achnashellach Forest does not have recreational facilities that many other FLS forests have. It is in a remote part of the Scottish Highlands and is fairly mountainous. The forest was originally part of the Caledonian Forest.[6] [7]
Aldie BurnHighlandHas woodland trails along the glen of the Aldie burn.[8]
Allean ForestPerth and KinrossSite of an ancient Pictish fort overlooking Loch Tummel.[9]
Allt MorHighlandPart of Glenmore Forest Park.[10]
Allt na CrìcheHighlandNorth of Fort Augustus, overlooking Loch Ness.[11]
Aoineadh MòrHighlandIn the Morvern district, the forest has waymarked trails that highlight the impact of the Highland Clearances on the area.[12]
Ard HillHighlandA trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking Loch Alsh.[13]
Àrd-ÀirighHighlandSemi-natural Atlantic oakwoods in the Sunart district.[14]
ArdcastleArgyll and ButeForest on the shore of Loch Fyne, with cycling, horse-riding and walking trails.[15]
ArdentinnyArgyll and ButePart of the Argyll Forest Park, this forest borders Cowal's longest sandy beach, on the shore of Loch Long.[16]
ArdgartanArgyll and ButePart of the Argyll Forest Park, this forest covers the northern and eastern slopes of The Brack.[17]
ArdmolichHighlandRocky wooded hills, covered mostly in conifer plantations, in the Moidart district.[18]
ArdmoreArgyll and ButeIn the northern part of the Isle of Mull, Ardmore Forest holds the remains of the ruined settlements of Ardmore and Penalbanach.[19]
ArdyneArgyll and ButePart of the Argyll Forest Park, this forest lies to the south of Dunoon.[20]
Argyll Forest ParkArgyll and Bute21,133In 1935, Argyll Forest became the first Forest Park in Britain. It lies on the border between the Scottish Highlands and the Scottish Lowlands.[21] [22]
AriundleHighlandThe Atlantic oakwoods of Airundle have been a national nature reserve since 1977.[23] [24]
Aros ParkArgyll and ButeOn the outskirts of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, Aros Park has walking trails, trout fishing and a barbecue area.[25]
ArrocharArgyll and ButePart of the Argyll Forest Park, FLS property at Arrochar includes the summits of The Cobbler and Beinn Narnain.[26]
AuchenshuggleGlasgowAn urban forest in Glasgow's East End, lying between the M74 and the West Coast Main Line.[27]
Back o'BennachieAberdeenshireOn the northern slopes of Bennachie, trails here provide a route to hill's highest summit, Oxen Craig.[28]
Balblair WoodHighlandLying to the north of the Kyle of Sutherland, Balblair Wood is laid out with walking and mountain bike trails.[29] [30]
Balgownie WoodFifeBalgownie Wood was once owned by Culross Abbey, and was first planted with trees during the middle ages.[31]
Balkello Community WoodlandAngusBalkello was first planted with trees in the 1990s, and there are now 150,000 young trees growing at the site.[32] [33]
BallachulishHighlandLocated above the former slate quarries on the shores of Loch Leven.[34]
Craik ForestScottish BordersCraik Forest is primarily a commercial forest with timber being processed at facilities nearby. There are some recreational facilities within the forest.[35] [36]
Dalbeattie ForestDumfries and Galloway1100Dalbeattie Forest has primarily been a commercial forest, though the Forestry Commission has worked with local organisations to expand recreational facilities. The forest now hosts one of the 7stanes biking trails.[37] [38]
Forest of AeDumfries and Galloway9100Ae was created by the Forestry Commission soon after it was established. While it is mainly a commercial forest, it is also one of the 7stanes forests. [39] [40]
Galloway Forest ParkDumfries and Galloway97000Galloway Forest is the largest forest in Britain. In 2009 it became the first Dark Sky Park in the UK.[41] [42] [43]
Garscadden WoodGlasgow16.94Garscadden Wood lies within the Drumchapel Woodlands, slightly north west of Glasgow.[44] [45]
Glen AffricHighland9000Glen Affric is home to a large area of Caledonian Forest and is designated a national nature reserve.[46] [47]
Glencoe LochanHighlandGlencoe Lochan forest was established by 1st Baron Strathcona in the 19th century. It is a coniferous forest.[48]
Glenmore Forest ParkHighland3500Glenmore contains some Caledonian woodland. It became the second Forest Park to be created by the Commission in 1948.[49] [50]
Knapdale ForestArgyll and Bute19800Knapdale has a colony of beavers as part of the Scottish Beaver Trial.[51] [52] [53]
Mabie ForestDumfries and GallowayMabie Forest has been owned by the Forestry Commission since 1943. It has become a recreational forest, with walking routes and 7stanes biking trails.[54]
Queen Elizabeth Forest ParkStirling16780The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park consists of several forests. It became a forest park in 1953 as part of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.[55] [56]
Tay Forest ParkPerthshireThe Tay Forest Park is made up of several different forests. The forest has been visited by several royals, including Queen Victoria and Queen Isabella of Scotland.[57]
Tweed Valley Forest ParkScottish Borders6800The Tweed Valley Forest Park is made up of seven forests around the Scottish Borders. Glentress and Innerleithen forests are part of the 7stanes biking trail project.[58] [59]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Enterprise Scotland no longer exist. Scottish Government. 1 April 2019. 1 April 2019.
  2. Web site: Report setting out the administrative arrangements that the Scottish Ministers intend to make for the carrying out of their functions under the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018. March 2019. 1 April 2019. 2–3.
  3. Web site: Forest search results. Forestry and Land Scotland. 27 January 2020.
  4. Web site: Aberfoyle. Forestry and Land Scotland. 23 January 2020.
  5. Web site: Achnabreac. Forestry and Land Scotland. 23 January 2020.
  6. Web site: Achnashellach. Forestry and Land Scotland. 23 January 2020.
  7. Web site: Achnashellach Land Management Plan Summary. Forest Enterprise Scotland. 16 November 2015. 27 January 2020.
  8. Web site: Aldie Burn. Forestry and Land Scotland. 23 January 2020.
  9. Web site: Allean Forest. Forestry and Land Scotland. 23 January 2020.
  10. Web site: Allt Mor. Forestry and Land Scotland. 27 January 2020.
  11. Web site: Allt na Crìche. Forestry and Land Scotland. 27 January 2020.
  12. Web site: Aoineadh Mòr. Forestry and Land Scotland. 27 January 2020.
  13. Web site: Ard Hill. Forestry and Land Scotland. 28 January 2020.
  14. Web site: Àrd-Àirigh. Forestry and Land Scotland. 27 January 2020.
  15. Web site: Ardcastle. Forestry and Land Scotland. 28 January 2020.
  16. Web site: Ardentinny. Forestry and Land Scotland. 28 January 2020.
  17. Web site: Ardgartan. Forestry and Land Scotland. 28 January 2020.
  18. Web site: Ardgartan. Forestry and Land Scotland. 30 January 2020.
  19. Web site: Ardmore. Forestry and Land Scotland. 30 January 2020.
  20. Web site: Ardyne. Forestry and Land Scotland. 30 January 2020.
  21. Web site: Argyll Forest Park. Forestry and Land Scotland. 27 January 2020.
  22. Web site: National Forest Estate Forest Parks GB. Scottish Government Spatial Data Infrastructure. 2 September 2017. 27 January 2020.
  23. Web site: Ariundle. Forestry and Land Scotland. 30 January 2020.
  24. Web site: The Story of Ariundle Oakwood National Nature Reserve. 30 January 2020. 2008. Scottish Natural Heritage.
  25. Web site: Aros Park. Forestry and Land Scotland. 3 February 2020.
  26. Web site: Arrochar. Forestry and Land Scotland. 3 February 2020.
  27. Web site: Auchenshuggle. Forestry and Land Scotland. 3 February 2020.
  28. Web site: Back o'Bennachie. Forestry and Land Scotland. 5 February 2020.
  29. Web site: Balblair. Forestry and Land Scotland. 5 February 2020.
  30. Web site: Venue: Balblair. MTBtrails.info . 5 February 2020.
  31. Web site: Balgownie. Forestry and Land Scotland. 5 February 2020.
  32. Web site: Balkello Community Woodland. Forestry and Land Scotland. 13 March 2020.
  33. Web site: Welcome to Balkello Community Woodland. Forestry and Land Scotland. 13 March 2020.
  34. Web site: Ballachulish. Forestry and Land Scotland. 13 March 2020.
  35. Web site: Craik. Forestry Commission. 1 July 2012.
  36. News: Craik Forest project receives funding to improve timber haulage . 2 October 2009. Dumfries and Galloway Council. 1 July 2012.
  37. Web site: Introduction to the Partnership. Dalbeattie Community Council & Dalbeattie Community Initiative. 1 July 2012.
  38. Web site: Dalbeattie Forest. Forestry Commission. 1 July 2012.
  39. Web site: Ae windfarm proposal. Forestry Commission. 27 January 2003. 1 July 2012.
  40. Web site: Forest of Ae. Forestry Commission. 1 July 2012.
  41. News: Galloway Forest Park project seeks business interests. BBC News. 16 May 2012. 1 July 2012.
  42. Web site: Galloway Forest Park. Forestry Commission. 1 July 2012.
  43. News: Forest park given Dark Sky honour . 16 November 2009. BBC News. 1 July 2012.
  44. Web site: Garscadden Wood West. Forestry Commission. 1 July 2012.
  45. Web site: Garscadden Wood. Living in Glasgow. 24 August 2009. 1 July 2012.
  46. Web site: Trees are the glory of Glen Affric. Forestry Commission. 1 July 2012.
  47. Web site: The AGREEMENT between FORESTRY ENTERPRISE and TREES FOR LIFE on work in the GLEN AFFRIC CALEDONIAN FOREST RESERVE. Caledonian Centre for Social Development. 1 July 2012.
  48. Web site: Glencoe Lochan. Forestry Commission. 2 July 2012.
  49. Web site: Glenmore Forest Park. Forestry Commission. 2 July 2012.
  50. Web site: Unique woodland conservation scheme helps black grouse recovery. Royal Society for Protection of Birds. James Reynolds. 30 January 2008. 2 July 2012.
  51. Web site: Knapdale Forest. Forestry Commission. 2 July 2012.
  52. Web site: Visit Knapdale. Scottish Wildlife Trust. 2 July 2012.
  53. Web site: Knapdale Forest. Wild about Britain. 2 July 2012. https://archive.today/20130505133805/http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/knapdale-forest. 5 May 2013. dead.
  54. Web site: Mabie Forest. Forestry Commission. 2 July 2012.
  55. Web site: Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Gazetteer for Scotland. 2 July 2012.
  56. Web site: Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Forestry Commission. 2 July 2012.
  57. Web site: Tay Forest Park. Forestry Commission. 2 July 2012.
  58. Web site: New Forest Park Seeks Friends. Forestry Commission. 13 October 2003. 1 July 2012.
  59. Web site: Welcome to Tweed Valley Forest Park. Forestry Commission. 1 July 2012.

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