Strathglass forest gets top woodland award
The forest of Glen Affric, Cannich and Plodda Falls in Strathglass, Inverness-shire, has won a major accolade in this year's Scotland's Finest Woodland Awards.
The impressive forest covers more than 17,000 hectares (42,500 acres) and has been awarded the prestigious John Kennedy Trophy as winner of the 'Large Woods' category. The forest includes the entire Glen Affric National Nature Reserve and the Plodda Falls recreational area. This accolade is often seen as the premier award amongst all the commendations given out by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland, which organises the yearly event.
The Fort Augustus District staff team of Forestry Commission Scotland manages the forests and has worked hard with local community groups to enhance the natural beauty of the whole area and create more access and recreation opportunities for the public. Whilst attracting visitors to the area through recreation, the foresters have also created new wildlife habitats through modern forest management systems.
Malcolm Wield, the Commission's Fort Augustus District Manager, said:
"We are absolutely delighted that everyone involved in enhancing these woodlands has received recognition for their tremendous efforts. We are very proud of these woodlands and know that the local communities in the area feel the same way.
"Plodda Falls is very popular with visitors and locals, and this is due to how the whole area has been managed over the years. We've taken a very sensitive approach to caring for the woodlands and this has allowed us to show off their unique character and beauty.
"I'd also like to give special mention to a very enthusiastic local community, who have helped greatly in making these woodlands such a beautiful place. The award is a real credit to everyone."
Plodda Falls is a mixed forest dominated by magnificent conifers interspersed with many native broadleaved trees. Mighty Douglas firs, larch and giant redwoods were all planted around 1895 by Lord Tweedmouth, who owned Guisachan Estate at the time. Glen Affric National Nature Reserve includes the least disturbed expanse of Caledonian pine woodland in Scotland, and is famous for being a haven for rare wildlife, including black grouse, crested tit, Scottish crossbill and many striking species of dragonfly.
The Strathglass Community Development Group has been helping the Commission to enhance the forests and woodlands at Glen Affric, and was also very pleased to receive the award, as spokesman Ian Mure explained:
"It's fantastic for the forest to have won this award. The pinewoods are a major asset for the area, and many of our visitors will be pleased to know that all the hard work that goes into their stewardship has been recognised. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Forestry Commission Scotland and to seeing the pinewoods thrive."
The Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland - in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Woodlands Limited, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Forestry & Timber Association, the Royal Scottish Forestry Society and the Institute of Chartered Foresters - makes the Scotland's Finest Woodlands Awards every year to raise public awareness of the importance of sustainable forestry to the rural and national economy.
