The Strathyre Forests Larch Removal Plan (LRP) covers a total of 4225 ha of coniferous forest, broad-leaf woodland and open hills located around the villages of Strathyre and Balquhidder in Stirlingshire.

The LRP area is divided into three forest blocks. They are the Kirkton block (~472 ha) above Balquhidder, the West Strathyre block (~2631 ha) on the west side of Loch Lubnaig, and the Strathyre East block (~1122 ha) on the east side of Strathyre. 

Forests in the Trossachs are now becoming increasingly affected by Phytophthora ramorum infections, resulting in numerous Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs) which necessitate widespread felling of infected trees, and uninfected trees within a stipulated buffer area. More information about this disease and the control measures required can be found on the Scottish Forestry website: Phytophthora ramorum in Scotland.

This LRP is a five-year plan developed to undertake a structured removal of larch trees from Kirkton, West Strathyre and Strathyre East in response to these increasing infections and to help minimise the spread of the disease. Our intention is to remove the majority larch tree species from these areas within this five-year timeframe, both in response to existing infections and to reduce the likelihood of future infections. 

A revised 10-year Land Management Plan will subsequently be produced to succeed this interim Larch Removal Plan, which will cover other aspects of forest management in greater detail.

Timeline

Initial communications around this plan took place on the 29 March 2025, with a public drop-in event held in Balquhidder Village Hall highlighting the spread of Phytophthora ramorum and the forest management solutions that would result from this. Draft proposals were produced ready for wider consultation with stakeholders, which has been taking place since January 2025.

Following this engagement period, a final draft plan has been produced taking into consideration comments and feedback received and submitted to Scottish Forestry (Perth and Argyll Conservancy), following which it will be placed on the Scottish Forestry Public Register for 28 days for final consultation from the 21 April 2025.

Documents and maps

• Strathyre Forests Larch Removal Plan
• Map 1: Location and background
• Map 2: Current species
• Map 3: SPHN and larch
• Map 4: Designations and species
• Map 5: Utilities
• Map 6: Hydrology
• Map 7: Recreation
• Map 8: Issues and concept
• Map 9: Management
• Map 10: Future habitat and species
• Map 11: Road access and haulage
• Map 12: Strathyre ash condition
• Map 13: Kirkton visualisation viewpoints
• Appendix 1: Table of operations 2024 - 2030
• Appendix 2: Context of felling
• Appendix 3: Felling surrounding designated sites
• Appendix 4: FLS larch consultation 
• Visualisation 1: Kirkton felling 
• Visualisation 2: Kinghouse