Angus Glens Land Management Plan
Angus Glens Land Management Plan
These iconic glens are the southern gateway to the Cairngorms National Park and we’re privileged to be looking after them for the future. Our acquisition in Glen Prosen is the missing piece of the jigsaw, linking our existing forests in the Angus Glens and other areas of public land together. This is a long-term project for us and an important opportunity to work with our neighbours and partners, to achieve landscape scale habitat restoration in the Cairngorms National Park.
Public consultation
The initial scoping and public consultation closed on 31 October 2023 and second stage consultation took place during June 2024. A further public consultation on our final draft plans was held during March 2025. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. A summary of the results is available below.
We know how important these glens are to local communities and visitors. We intend to work closely with you through our planning process to explore opportunities for collaboration and community benefits. Ongoing stakeholder engagement has helped to develop the Land Management Plan and will continue as we progress through the long term landscape restoration in the glen.
Consultation feedback showed broad support for the creation of new native woodland and habitat restoration, and highlighted the need to consider low impact woodland establishment, minimise deer fencing and, importantly, how this change in land management can bring community benefit too. We've used this valuable feedback alongside ecological survey data to inform our plans going forward.
Documents and maps
The plans detailed in the documents below explain our intended land management objectives and how this would look on the ground in the future. We welcome feedback and comments in the survey form at the bottom of this web page. Thank you.
LMP Documents
- Land Management Plan summary
- Land Management Plan objectives document
- Herbivore management outline
- Scoping consultation feedback poster
- Concept consultation feedback poster
- Angus Glens illustrated visualisations
- Wildfire risk assessment
- Consultation summary report
Maps
- Map 1 - location
- Map 2 - key features
- Map 3 - concept proposal | Map 3 - accessible text
- Map 4 – Forest Management Plans
- Map 5 – Future Forest Restock Species
- Map 6 – Fencing Plans | Map 6 – accessible text
- Map 7 – Visitor Access & Recreation | Map 7 - accessible text
- Map 8 – Roads & Operational Access | Map 8 - accessible text
- Map 9 – Glen Prosen Woodland Creation | Map 9 - accessible text
Background Information
- Angus Glens context maps | Accessible text
- Glen Prosen habitats
- Glen Prosen soils
- Glen Doll soils
- Nature Restoration Fund project map | Accessible text
- Nature Restoration Fund project outline
- Glen Prosen archaeology report
- Glen Prosen survey summary
How we're addressing your feedback
What you said...
Some concerns were raised about the risk of wildfire increasing with change in land management due to increased fuel load and visitor access.
What we're doing...
Developing a fire plan that sets out how we'll reduce the risk of wildfire starting and spreading, and what our response will be if a fire does happen. Local residents, neighbouring landowners and emergency services will be consulted on this in late 2024.
To get a better understanding of Glen Prosen, and to inform our future land management, we have undertaken environmental and ecological surveys which are summarised in the Glen Prosen survey summary document above. The summary explains the purpose of each survey, the methods used, the results and findings, and how they will be useful for our planning and land management.
What you said...
There is a strong desire to see a positive impact for the local glens' community from the change in land management, more activity, and more people living and working in the glens.
What we're doing...
We're coming up to finalising leases on a number of the buildings in Glen Prosen that will see them being used.
What you said...
Concerns were raised that our policy not to undertake predator control will impact some protected species.
What we're doing...
As a more natural ecosystem is restored there will be a significant period of adjustment and change. We're using an evidence-based approach to identify and protect important species and monitor changes as the site and the project develops.
What you said...
There needs to be a balance between the amount of fencing and the deer cull.
What we're doing...
We're revising our fencing plans to reduce fencing where possible and mitigate potential impacts on wildlife. The deer cull is ongoing and will remain an important part of our land management in order to establish woodland and restore open habitats.
What you said...
Need to maintain open access in Glen Prosen through deer fenced enclosures. Maintain and re-open trails in Glen Doll that have been blocked by windblow.
What we're doing...
In line with our fencing plans, we're including access gates throughout and consulting with the tourism/recreation community on plans to develop access in Glen Prosen so visitors can experience and be informed about the project.
Operations to clear windblow in Glen Doll commence in October 2024 and we're exploring opportunities to create more low-level inclusive access.
What you said...
The change in land use and woodland creation could contribute towards downstream flood mitigation.
What we're doing...
We're liaising with SEPA to better understand the potential positive impacts for downstream flood points, such as Brechin. We're planning our land management to slow the flow of water and hold more water in the upper catchment by blocking drains and restoring peatland and upland fen/bog habitats.
What you said...
Locking up carbon – in the climate crisis this project is an opportunity to store carbon through woodland creation and peatland restoration.
What we're doing...
We'll be creating around 1800ha of native mixed broadleaf woodland with Scots Pine and montane scrub, as well as restoring around 200ha of peatland to help sequester carbon. Improving biodiversity and creating a functioning ecosystem with a mosaic of habitats should also help to make the landscape more resilient to future climate change.
What you said...
How will the project be financed and where will the funding come from?
What we're doing...
We intend to seek ‘green finance’, which is private investment in nature-based solutions (such as carbon storage and sequestration, flood risk reduction, enhanced well-being, and biodiversity recovery). This is an emerging area for which policy and standards are still being developed and Angus Glens can contribute to piloting such approaches.
We'll also see revenue generated from the on-site hydro scheme, venison sales, lease of estate buildings and land, and via partnership opportunities.
What you said...
There is a strong need to keep local communities involved and communication open, not only about future plans but also current activities.
What we're doing...
We're keeping in touch with community and stakeholder contacts via a quarterly email newsletter, attending and providing updates to the Kirriemuir Landward East Community Council, as well as meeting with local residents in Glen Prosen, posting updates on the Glen Prosen village notice board and updating our web pages for all to see.
We will be organising a final round of consultation on the land management plan for early 2025.
What you said...
Show more detail on the woodland creation and forestry plans, i.e. which tree species will go where.
What we're doing...
We're analysing the ecological and environmental survey data, alongside feedback from stakeholders and the public consultation to produce finer detailed plans which will be published in early 2025.
These will explain exactly which species we will be planting, how much planting there will be in different parts of the site, how much woodland we are expecting to regenerate naturally and also what we are doing with regard to other habitats such as peatland and river restoration.
Learn more about Angus Glens
Get in touch
If you would like further information or have any questions about this plan, please contact us: