June 27, 2005
Interview: The Woodland Trust and Glen Finglas
Bluebells in Little Drum Wood, Glen Finglas, June 2005 Photo © SCH
Glen Finglas is a 4,038 hectare estate, centred around the Glen Finglas Reservoir, in the heart of the Trossachs. It was bought in 1996 by the Woodland Trust Scotland, with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Woodland Trust Members and Supporters. It is the largest of all Woodland Trust properties in Britain.
It takes only 15 minutes to get there from where we live in Callander, and we often go there to walk and jog. The trust are gradually improving public access to the area with a number of walks and trails, up to 15 miles in length.
Glen Finglas reservoir, June 2005 Photo © SCH
I asked Jacqui Morris, Communications Officer of the Woodland Trust Scotland, about Glen Finglas and the work of the Trust there.
The Skakagrall: What initially attracted you to Glen Finglas?
Jacqui MORRIS: There were many things about Glen Finglas which attracted the Trust to the site, these included: its location, the scale of the site, the landscape which is a mixture of mountains, glens and lochs, the ancient and native woodland remnants which are spread out across a wide altitudinal range, the wood pasture, and the history of the site. The potential to extend the existing native woodland across the site was most important.
Skakagrall: How many trees have you planted? Do you intend to restore the environment to what it was in the past?
MORRIS: The Trust has planted about half a million trees at Glen Finglas. The trees are mainly birch, alder and willow, however we have also planted oak, rowan, Scots pine of local provenance, juniper, hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn and ash.
It is difficult to restore the environment to what it was in the past, partly because it is difficult to determine, exactly what the landscape looked like. What the Trust is hoping to achieve is to expand the existing woodland. We want to create a new native wood for the future.
Skakagrall: Glen Finglas incorporates a working farm. Does this support the forestry?
MORRIS: Our idea is to promote the native woodland at Glen Finglas within a working farm. The number of sheep and cattle has been reduced to allow better regeneration of native trees. But removal of all grazing is not an option, as the impact on some of the area’s finest old trees could be terminal. Without animals browsing low shoots at the base of the ancient pollard trees, the new growth can put a big strain on the old structure. To maintain Scotland’s finest surviving wood pasture, the farm work and farm animals are essential. We receive a single farm payment through the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) which assists in running the farm business and we’ve entered into a Land Management Contract with the Scottish Executive.
Skakagrall: You have opened up access to the public with new paths and routes designed to appeal to different groups of visitors. Do you see Glen Finglas as a tourist attraction?
MORRIS: One of the Trust’s aims is to increase people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland. Thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Union the Trust is creating opportunities for all types of people to enjoy Glen Finglas. We have developed a range of walking opportunities which range from 15 minutes to 15 miles. We have also found that Glen Finglas is popular with mountain bikers. Our aim is to demonstrate sustainable land management including forestry, farming, access and recreation.
Skakagrall: Will you establish a visitors’ centre in the future?
MORRIS: At the moment Lendrick Steading, on the A821 by the Little Drum car park, serves as a visitor reception, which is where we have seen the most demand. Most people coming to the site tend to just want to come for a walk rather than use the site as a visitors centre. However, organized groups can arrange in advance to visit the steading and learn more about the site.
Skakagrall: What is the time frame for tree planting? Will it be complete in a few years time? Will the project be complete when the trees are mature in 50 years or so?
MORRIS: It is hoped that all planting will be complete by the end of 2006. It is also in our plans that many of the trees will come about through natural regeneration. The vision for the site extends 200 years when the young trees become veteran trees and the flora and fauna has the opportunity to establish.
Burnt section of Lendrick Hill, June 2005 Photo © SCH
Skakagrall: How much of a disaster was the Easter 2003 fire? How many trees were lost?
MORRIS: Unfortunately the fire in 2003 was a major setback. The Trust lost most of the trees which had been planted on Lendrick hill - which was about 350,000 trees and four years growth. However, it has not all been doom and gloom, with much of the ground vegetation burnt off including the heather it has made replanting easier. Cotton grass is also re-establishing in the area which provides an ideal habitat for black grouse.
Skakagrall: Is the experience of planting new woodland in Glen Finglas applicable elsewhere?
MORRIS: Creating new woodland is not unique to Glen Finglas, currently the Woodland Trust Scotland is creating new woodland in the Ochils.
As well as protecting ancient woodland, the Trust aims to create new woodland. On a smaller scale we are working with other land owners this year to create 33 new woodlands UK-wide to commemorate the battle of Trafalgar and demonstrate the link between forestry and our naval history.
Skakagrall: Do you see the Woodland Trust offering the general public, and indeed companies, the opportunity of achieving ‘carbon neutrality’ by co-operating with the Trust in establishing new woodlands?
MORRIS: The Trust has a scheme in operation called carbonplus+, whereby companies can support tree planting to further their commitment to addressing carbon emissions (for instance through efficient use of energy). Tree planting alone is not the answer to combat climate change. It is only one activity which combined with others can help combat CO2 emissions - a strategic approach to energy reduction, renewables and changes in lifestyle are paramount. It is not the Trust’s intention to offer carbon neutrality by only or simply establishing new woodland as unfortunately it is not this simple (for example, trees planted can take perhaps 60 to 100 years to reach their carbon potential). The Trust is working with the Scottish Forest Alliance researching carbon sequestration.
Skakagrall: Thank you.
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