Infected hives to be destroyed
The group which manages a number of woodlands in Perth and Kinross has called for patience as the region starts to emerge from lockdown.
And the park authority at Cairgorms has asked people not to visit the park.
The Scottish Government confirmed on Thursday that residents could travel locally for exercise and can meet friends and family from one other household outdoors, while maintaining social distancing rules.
But Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) leisure and recreation facilities – including car parks, mountain bike trails and toilets - are unlikely to be fully open before the end of phase two of the recovery plan, with visitor centres likely to open in phase three.
The organisation manages the likes of Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park, Craigvinean, Dalerb, Weem, Drummond Hill, The Queen’s View Visitor Centre and Grandtully among others.
FLS chief executive Simon Hodgson said: “With appropriate guidance in place, more FLS staff will be emerging from lockdown, which means that we can start work on our own phased recovery.
“However, we are in no doubt that it will yet be some time before we can fully open up our car parks, mountain bike trails and other visitor facilities to the public.
“We appreciate that some people might like things to move faster but we will not compromise the health or the safety of our staff, our visitors or of the communities that we work with.”
Cairngorms National Park Authority also reminded residents many restrictions were still in place.
Grant Moir, chief executive of CNPA, said: “I would like to thank everyone in the park for pulling together during lockdown by staying home and staying local.
“Now we are moving towards the gradual easing of restrictions, protecting public health remains the first priority for us all. I know people are desperate to stretch their wings a little further but we must continue to obey the rules.
“We are urging people to be patient and not to visit the national park. Most car parks and all toilets are closed so if you live locally it is worth checking before you go. If you get somewhere and it feels too busy, then it probably is and you should be prepared to adapt your plans.
“The Scottish Government’s new advice is to travel no more than five miles from your home to recreate and if you can do this by walking or cycling to that destination all the better. Please do continue to make use of local path networks and observe social distancing at all times to stop the spread of coronavirus.”
Inspectors have ordered the destruction of thousands of bees at an apiary in Perthshire following an outbreak of American Foulbrood (AFB).
It is understood two Scottish Government inspectors identified the disease within hives kept by a commercial beekeeper based near Blairgowrie said to have been hit with a similar outbreak just last year.
AFB is a notifiable disease under The Bees Diseases and Pests Control (Scotland) Order 2007. It kills off bee larva, is highly contagious and difficult to eradicate.
The infected hives must now be destroyed as there is no permitted treatment for the disease in the UK.
Scotland’s chief veterinary officer Sheila Voas remarked:“The repeated finding of AFB near Blairgowrie is disappointing and emphasises the important work of the Scottish Government Bee Health Team. It is a timely reminder that beekeepers should remain vigilant for signs of the disease at all times.
“As per EU law, the infected hives will now be destroyed. The movement of bees and related equipment into or out of the affected apiary is also now prohibited.
“I would reiterate that while this is disappointing, there are no risks to public health from AFB and no implications for the quality and safety of Scottish honey.”