Land strands brought together

“Landscape benefits of woodland expansion”

Land managers of the future in the Highlands and Islands will gather in Carrbridge this week for a major conference.

The two-day event, organised by the University of the Highlands and Islands and industry partners, will bring together more than 50 students from a range of land-based disciplines.

Delegates, who are studying subjects such as agriculture, forestry, gamekeeping and environmental science, will attend workshops, take part in discussions, develop skills through practical field trips and hear from expert speakers.

The event on Thursday and Friday will be the university’s sixth annual integrated land use conference and this year’s theme will focus on balancing landscape benefits of woodland expansion.

Representatives from the Cairngorms National Park Authority, the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage, Sepa and the RSPB will address the students on topics such as the future of the timber industry, farm diversification, species choice and spatial planning.

Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, will also attend the conference to address the students and hear about their work.

Carrbridge will also host volunteers who will be helping to clear tree tubes out of Glencharnoch Wood on Sunday from 10am-12 noon. Woodland Trust Scotland is organising the event and is promising hot soup for all those who come along.

Volunteers should meet at Carrbridge Cemetery car park. Reasonable fitness is required.