FLS calls for public to help prevent vandalism

Forestry and Land Scotland’s Aberdeenshire team is calling for members of the public to report illegal use of motorbikes after a newly laid path in Tyrebagger Woods was churned up before it was even opened to the public.

The path has mostly been closed for three years as a safety precaution. It was first blocked by windblown trees in the aftermath of Storm Arwen, which brought down the equivalent of a year’s worth of harvested timber, and then again  by later storm damage that required more trail repairs and clearance work to be carried out before the forest could be re-opened for visitors.  

FLS’ Local team spent £38.5k and five weeks restoring 500m of path to a state where it could be used by members of the public. With only a week to go to completion, further repair works will have to be carried out before the path can re-open. 

Fiona Robertson, FLS Area Visitor Services Manager in East Region, said; 

“We understand the public’s frustration that some of our destinations have taken so long to return to public use but that is a reflection of the scale of the issues that we have been dealing with.

“This particular path was almost finished with just snagging to do and on a site visit we found that someone has been in on a scramble bike and damaged the surface of the new path before we could even open it to the public.

“It is extremely galling that this sort of irresponsible, unthinking behaviour means more delays and more expense and more frustration for all of our other visitors. 

“We would urge anyone who sees this sort of activity to not intercede but to notify Police Scotland, providing as much information as possible.”

It is illegal for any driver of a motorised vehicle to use it on FLS roads and trails unless they have been given permission. 

The damage done to the path presents trip hazards for visitors but also opens the path to water and frost damage, which would steadily degrade the path further.

FLS is now looking to carry out additional work on the path and hopes it will be open by the end of this year.
The process of recovery after Storm Arwen has been challenging.

Harvesting work to supply the market with the type of timber it needed had to continue, while the windblown timber had to be ‘triaged’ - with the dangerous trees being cleared first, recoverable but fast rotting timber being dealt with second and timber that had blocked access following on.  

A significant amount of windblown timber has not been recovered and is still to be cleared.

Notes To Editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
2. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland | twitter.com/ForestryLS
3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot