Morvern forest extends across almost 5,900 ha at the north west end of the Morvern peninsula and comprises three blocks: Barr, Lochaline North and Lochaline South. The forest was established pre 1940, as a largely commercial timber- producing forest. It was extensively restructured over several years, which had widened the range of age classes. However the harvesting programme has been impacted significantly by recent felling, which was required in response to multiple Statutory Plant Health Notices for Phytophthora ramorum on larch. 

Planted species are dominated by Sitka spruce but restructuring has expanded the area of diverse conifers and the proportion of native broadleaves has increased through natural regeneration, particularly in Barr forest, where native woodland expansion will consolidate and link areas of Semi Natural Woodland (SNW) and restored PAWS. There are various renewable energy developments across the forest.

Although the main focus is commercial timber production, the forest provides for informal recreation and supports a number of heritage sites, notably the cleared township at Inniemore (Loch Doire nan Mart) which is a scheduled monument and the wishing stone at Clach na Criche (the remains of an igneous dyke used as a boundary marker, wishing stone and resting place during funeral processions). Various protected species are found in the area, including otter, Pine marten, Black grouse, Golden eagle and Sea eagle and a variety of habitats, including wetland / bog habitat, stands of gorse with successional broadleaved woodland and traditional hay meadows at the mouth of the Savary River.

The Land Management Plan is currently being revised and consultation on the draft Plan is now underway. A summary of the proposals and key maps are available below. The draft Plan text will be provided here soon.

Timeline

• Public consultation on the draft LMP – end August- end September 2024
• Public consultation event – 24 September 2024, 3pm-6pm in Lochaline Village Hall
• Final revisions and submission to Scottish Forestry for consideration – end September / early October 2024

Documents and maps

•  Morvern LMP Summary
  
  
• Map 1 - Location
• Map 2 - Soils
• Map 3 - Current Species
• Map 4 - Age Class
• Map 5 - Landform Analysis
• Map 6a - Key Issues - Landscape Scale Designations and Conservation
• Map 6b - Key Issues - Silviculture and Infrastructure
• Map 6c - Key Issues - Community and Culture
• Map 7 - Analysis and Concept
• Map 8a - Management
• Map 8b - Management Phase 1 and 2
• Map 9 - Thinning
• Map 10a - Future Forest
• Map 10b - Future Forest Phase 1 and 2
• Map 11 - Roads and Timber Transport