Wauchope East Land Management Plan

The Wauchope East Land Management Plan Unit covers 3560 ha. It comprises the Hyndlee and Lethem forest blocks and is located in the Scottish Borders, approximately 6 km south of the village of Bonchester Bridge and forms part of Forestry and Land Scotland's (FLS) South Region. 

The composite lies on the English border and is surrounded by state owned and private forest, open moorland and farm land. It is part of Scotland’s national forests and land, owned by Scottish Ministers on behalf of the people of Scotland, and managed by FLS.

The current Land Management Plan (2026-2036) and supporting maps are available to download below. This plan identifies management objectives and sets out our operations for the next ten years. The plan has been approved by Scottish Forestry. The successful delivery of this plan will contribute to the objectives of Forestry and Land Scotland’s Corporate Plan, as well as the priorities, objectives and vision of Scotland’s Forestry Strategy. The plan has been developed in accordance with the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) and its supporting guidelines. The UKFS is the benchmark for sustainable forestry practice, and the Scottish Government is committed to its use.

Significant environmental features in the plan area

Designated sites: Kielderhead Moor a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which comprises 954 ha of open moor running along the Scottish/English border (905ha of which are within the LMP area).

Vision

The long -term vision is to maintain, protect and enhance sustainable timber supply via progression towards increased age and species diversity. Improved wildlife provision and protection by increased maintenance and creation of native broadleaved riparian woodland focusing on Black Burn (SAC). Protection and improvement of Kielderhead SSSI via gradual removal of legacy non- native planting and increase of the native broadleaved transition zone. Improved maintenance of walking paths, especially core paths. 

Summary of planned operations (next ten years):

• total plan area = 3560 ha
• felling = 163 ha
• restocking = 275.5 ha
• forest roads = 1.08 km

How is the forest likely to change over the next twenty years?

Stand resilience and climate change adaption will be improved via active management to increase the proportion of quality sawlogs produced. Thinning will be reinstated to provide an additional timber resource and improve the quality and stability of the future crop and provide biodiversity benefits. This will also provide options for future conversion to low impact silvicultural systems in some areas. Species and stand age diversification will continue whilst restructuring some of the coupes and the felling order to improve wind firmness. 

What other activity is likely to happen?

Biodiversity will also be boosted by the creation and maintenance of wildlife corridors in riparian zones, particularly along the Black Burn. 

Heritage features will be protected and recreational access will be improved via the clearance of Scheduled Monuments and the initiation of a process of clearance of the Wheel Causeway.

The Kielderhead Moor SSSI will be sensitively managed in coordination with external partners.