Public Bodies
Forestry Commission Scotland owns and manages much of the land in Strathard. In the first instance, please direct any queries or complaints about FCS activities directly to the Forestry offices in Aberfoyle on 01877 382383. Should you encounter any difficulty or be unhappy with the outcome, do please then contact the community council for advice or assistance. Below are the issues for which we receive most queries:
Timber Lorries
A small percentage of forestry loads use public roads in and around Aberfoyle. Contractors are expected to drive safely and avoid school routes at relevant times (8.45 - 9.15 and 15.00 - 15.30). Please advise Forestry of any dangerous driving or other complaints, providing date and time of incident to enable them to follow through with their contractors.
FCS supplies the community council with ongoing predictions of lorries using the various exit routes - these are here. Latest update September 2011:
'The snow at the turn of the year delayed work on a clear fell at BellHouse, and by the time conditions had improved enough for work to resume, we had to close down for conservation reasons. We will, however, resume haulage from this site over the next few weeks, aiming to complete by next spring. There remains approximately 2000 tonnes of timber, approx 90 lorry loads, which will exit the forest at Covenanters. We will also be starting a new thinning coupe in the Ministrie area (just south west of Balleich) which will yield approximately 6000 tonnes of timber (about 260 lorry loads). Most of this timber will exit the forest through the Lemahamish exit (about 70%), with the remaining 30% (78 lorry loads) using the Balleich exit onto Manse Road.'
Tree Branches
Please report directly to FCS (01877 382383) any specific locations on Forestry land where overhanging branches (e.g. on parts of the B829) scratch cars or reduce traffic safety.
NB: vegetation on verges however is the responsibility of Stirling Council.
Lochs Arklet and Katrine Planting
Two papers outlining the greatly reduced planting scheme for Loch Arklet and the agreed process to review matters relating to planting at Lochs Arklet and Katrine can be found here. Any matters of concern about Forestry operations in these areas which you wish raised at the community/FCS review meetings should be reported to the community council as soon as possible.
Maps have been supplied by FCS as agreed to outline various aspects of its operations in this area:
NB this is a large 7mb file, reduced quality version here
Sub-Menu: