Future looks ropey for woodlands tree swing
A tyre swing in Perthshire woodland could be removed amid fears someone using it could be seriously injured or even killed.
Forestry Land Scotland (FLS), which manages Weem Woods near Aberfeldy, says it does not want to “spoil people’s fun” but the swing hanging from a tree bough looks like it has run out of time.
FLS plans to investigate the safety of the swing, an unofficial feature of the Weem Woods for years, but has meantime put up a notice explaining that it may choose to remove it if assessments find it could be dangerous.
FLS found a similar swing in woods near Stanley and has told residents there the play feature should go for safety reasons.
Weem resident and church minister Neil Glover alerted neighbours of the situation, declaring disappointment that it might have to be taken down.
Rev Glover posted on the Aberfeldy Community Notice Board page: “I was up in Weem woods and saw this next to the rope swing.
“I can’t believe people want to take this away.
“This is a brilliant swing. Loved by our kids and countless others.”
A spokesperson for FLS said: “We have not said that the swing will definitely go but there are a number of issues that we need to discuss with the local community so we have asked them to get in touch.
“For example, the tree branch needs to be checked to make sure its strong enough. Diseased trees often look fine but rot from the inside out and if it were to break while the swing was in use it could cause serious – even fatal - injury.
“The rope itself looks old and without properly inspecting it, there is a chance it could be ready to fail, and the tyre is also old, which increases the risk that the metal bands within it snap and stick out. If that happened when the swing was being used, it could also cause serious injury.
“We’re not out to spoil people’s fun but there are question marks over monitoring and maintenance and we’re looking to the local community for help.”
Comments can be sent to enquiries.east@ forestryandland.gov.scot