West Loch Arkaig - Clunes Forest – Lochaber – Provisional Forest Map dated around 1986
The map was recovered from shed at Newton Nursery which acted as a storage area for Forest Research who used the maps to locate forest and tree experiments in the field.
This map features areas on the north and south sides of Loch Arkaig possibly acquired from Locheil Estates in 1955. In total the five small areas (one adjoining the large Clunes Forest Acquisition) on the north side were accessible from the minor public road and planted 1955 to 1964 (Some areas on East Loch Arkaig Map). Sitka spruce formed a main component but also in mixture with Lodgepole pine and sometimes with Scots pine. Some areas were classed as unplantable and others had ‘Retained Scrub’ which probably referred to natural birch, alder and willow. Japanese larch was planted on many of edges of the forest blocks, notably along some of the public roadside edges and up the sides. In the late 1990s a notable Skipper butterfly was identified in some of the areas.
The large area on the south side of Loch Arkaig was planted 1973-76 and not accessible by road. Boats were used to ferry plants and men across the water. The area used to carry a substantial crop of native Scots pine but exploitation, burning and grazing had reduced the tree cover to isolated groups or aged singletons with very little regeneration. Steven and Carlisle (The Native Pinewoods of Scotland) give a full description as at the 1950s. The area was partially ploughed and what was achieved was with great difficulty. The writer recalls accounts of the ground surface being very wet and tractor tracks easily pulled the vegetation mat off thus loosing traction in the soft peat below. However the major problems were hidden logs or tree trunks under the peat. The socks of the ploughs caught under these and stopped forward movement. Attempts to reverse the tractor often failed as the vegetation mat stripped off and the outfit ended up requiring pulls from another tractor. The ploughmen were often in despair with the difficult conditions.
A careful look over the map reveals that Sitka spruce pure was not heavily used but sometimes in mixture with other Lodgepole pine or larch species. Only one area of new planted Scots pine is noted and is located in Compartment 6106. This will have reduced possible cross pollination with the native Scots pine. Most of the new planted areas are stocked with various provenances of Lodgepole pine (Skeena (KLP), Inland (ILP) and South Coastal (SLP). Of note however are areas designated as Natural or Native SP referring to the original native pine crop remnants. A few of these Native SP areas were underplanted with Lodgepole pine.
This area was sold by the Forestry Commission Scotland in 2016 and is now owned and managed by a community and the Woodland Trust organisations. An area in Glenmallie further east along the Loch was also included in the sale and also in process of trying to restore the native pine woods. See Picture No 5774
Please use the large image link to see the map detail. Any more information very welcome.