In 2021 Ardachy Estate plans to restock around 1 ha of Scots Pine woodland which was harvested a few years ago with Scots Pine and Native Broadleaves in accordance to the felling license conditions. In addition, we plan to plant establish around a further 16ha of diverse Conifer which will mainly consist of Scots Pine (12ha) on the more heathery ground, Norwegian Spruce (2.2ha) on some of the grassier patches, and native broadleaves (1.3ha) adjacent to the forestry track headed up onto Kyllachy Estate hill. Over the course of 95 years this will equate to around 2,134 Carbon Units (one unit is 1 tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent removed from the atmosphere). Central location for new woodland scheme can be found on https://goo.gl/maps/3Y8wgSmXfUzgNpcEA
The new forestry track (entrance approximately 2 miles up glen road sign posted Coignafearn/ Garbole) is quite a good walking spot and my belief is that this new woodland will help further enhance wildlife and biodiversity of the land which is currently comprises of heather, bracken and some very rough pastureland. We already have quite a healthy red squirrel population in the area and a nesting red kite family in the vicinity; so this plantation will further enhance habitat for these species. There is a high concentration of deer in the area so the plantation will need to be robustly deer fenced and rabbit netted stop the deer and rabbits from browsing damage; but we do hope to install some pedestrian access points into the plantation to allow those accessing the ground to continue to do so. Care will be taken planting around sensitive sites such as any historic areas of interest, junipers and some open ground will be left unstocked deliberately to allow some of the existing mature Scots Pine to hopefully naturally regenerate.
If you have any comments or suggestions please send to Ardachy Estate, FAO James Macpherson, thelordmacpherson@googlemail.com ideally to be received before the end of July 2021.
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