Perth groups oppose plans for tree planting

Concerns over threat to the views over Rannoch Moor

Mountaineering Scotland (MS) and the Scottish Gameskeepers Association (SGA) have joined forces to oppose plans to plant thousands more trees in Scotland.

The two Perth-based organisations fear a Scottish government pledge to plant 10,000 extra hectares of trees across the country by 2022 as part of its strategy to combat climate change threatens famous views over places such as Rannoch Moor in Highland Perthshire.

The groups have submitted a joint letter to Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Roseanna Cunningham, the environment secretary, calling on her to commit the Scottish government to protecting Scotland’s moorland.

Their letter states: “While Scotland’s open landscapes and upland moors are classed as rare in global terms there is currently no policy position safeguarding them. Most are unprotected and disregarded.

“Our concern is whether adequate weight is being given to the significant changes this will have on the landscape of Scotland and in particular the dramatic open views and vistas which have come to signify to the outside world that which is unique about our country.”

Neil Reid, Mountaineering Scotland’s spokesman, said tourists from around the world come to Scotland to see its open countryside and it ought to protected by a “coherent policy”.

“They talk about the landscape, they don’t talk about going for miles-long wanders through woods,” he said.

“You can see the hills around you and the landscape is relatively benign for walking across.”

And ecologist Dr James Fenton, who has worked with the SGA, said the reforestation plans could permanently alter famous views, adding: “These include Rannoch Moor, the Torridon mountains, the Cairngorms and the Cullins on Skye.

“The North Coast 500 route has also become a big draw for tourists. It takes people through fantastic open landscapes of moor, rock and mountain.

“If it ended up being enclosed by woodland and forestry you’d lose those views.”

A Scottish government spokesman said: “The increased woodland creation targets announced by the Scottish government as part of its climate change plan will be taken forward in a sustainable way, including working closely with a range of stakeholders.

“This will include appropriate consideration of Scotland’s distinctive upland landscapes.”