Year-long felling work gets under way along Loch Lochy

People planning on taking on the Great Glen Way or The Caledonian Way once Covid restrictions are eased should expect short delays at a section by Loch Lochy, as Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) carries out steep ground felling.

The area lies on the north shore of the loch, approximately 5km north from Gairlochy.

The operations, which will run until March 2022, will see mature trees removed from a steep hillside by skyline winch, which will haul felled trees up the hill and away from both the routes.

To ensure public safety, walkers on both routes will be stopped for 10-20 minutes as trees are felled and extracted.

David John Robertson, FLS’s area visitor services manager, said: ‘The trees at this section have grown so large that they now present a risk of being blown over in a storm, which could have a significant impact on the slope stability and on the highly popular paths

Winch extraction work in a forestry stand in Glen Righ.

that run through the site. To minimise that risk as much as possible, we are felling those trees but it’s going to be a long and challenging task.

‘We’re anticipating lots of people will be looking to enjoy the routes once Covid restrictions are eased so we’ll do what we can to minimise any disruption but we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.’

Banksmen will be on hand to ensure members of the public observe the safety requirements and pass through the work site only when it is safe to do so.

There will be two stoppages required every hour.

Path users are also being advised that the heavy machinery in use will also cause some disturbance to the forest road surface, so walkers and mountain bike riders will need to take extra care.