Glen Clova

 Approximately 1 million trees will be planted as part of this proposal. 

The proposed planting design has been sensitively produced and refined through a number of design iterations.  Productive conifers will be located on the lower slopes, taking advantage of the better site quality and opportunities to integrate with existing productive conifer woodlands.  Native broadleaves and pine woodland will be utilised on the mid and upper slopes and have been designed to integrate with the surrounding landscape. 

The planting proposals integrate areas of open ground to protect peatland and wetland habitats as well as archaeological features. 

Low-density and upland scrub woodland have been integrated into the upper margins of the site to provide ecotone between the woodland and open moorland and plateau habitats, as well as creating a visually attractive upper woodland edge. 

The proposed woodland creation in Glen Clova will see a mixture of woodland types planted. Approximately 30% of the proposed area will be established with productive conifers, including Scots pine, Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, and mixed firs including Douglas fir to offer a home-grown sustainable timber supply in the future for house building, landscaping and other industries. 

It is estimated that the proposed woodland creation will sequester approximately 150,000 tonnes of carbon over the lifespan of the project (the equivalent of the emissions from driving approximately 375 million miles in a petrol car).

The site is open access in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.   Glen Clova attracts around 100,000 visitors each year who visit the area to take part in hiking, mountain climbing, mountain biking as well as activities such as rock climbing and bouldering and Ice climbing during the winter months. 

There are two core paths within the woodland creation proposal. The well-visited Loch Brandy footpath affords stunning views over Glen Clova and over to the Cairngorm plateau.  The historic Ministers Path links Glen Clova and Glen Prosen and is well used by hill walkers and mountain bikers to create a circuit taking the Munro tops of Mayar and Driesh. 

The proposal will enhance the visitor experience through the creation of visually diverse and interesting habitats as well as opportunities for extended public access on the proposed new access provision required during the woodland establishment and management phase. 

The provision of access points along the proposed fencing routes will ensure access and will consider lesser used and minor routes too in the provision of appropriate gates and crossing points. 

Trees are essential for people, wildlife and the environment. They are one of our best tools for sequestering carbon and therefore tackling the climate crisis we find ourselves in. Woodlands are particularly precious habitats for land-based wildlife, so planting trees can lead to substantial improvement for local biodiversity.  

Woodlands are special places to visit, and they are known for their social health benefits.  

Growing trees for timber production can also help tackle the climate crisis and contribute to the country’s transition to Net Zero carbon emissions. As the trees grow, they sequester carbon, and this carbon is subsequently stored within buildings themselves if timber is used in their construction.  

The woodland creation proposals have been developed through extensive on-site surveying and the development of several design iterations. Our site surveys identified Black grouse, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, wading birds, and Ring ouzel.  The rare Scottish Wildcat has been recorded on the site and the new woodland will provide an extensive area of high-quality habitat for its breeding and hunting.   

The woodland creation project will also positively contribute towards the conservation of the Atlantic salmon and Freshwater pearl mussel through the development of new woodland in the riparian zones of a number of minor tributaries to the River South Esk SAC.  Planting on the steeply sloping glen sides will improve the management of surface rainfall run-off through the percolation and filtration by planting of new woodland.