Afforestation in Scotland 1911- by Lord Lovat (14th Lord Lovat) and Captain Stirling of Keir (Cap Archibald Stirling)
This report was published by the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society in 1911 and must have been a very significant step in persuading the government to set up a national forest service and begin a programme of extensive afforestation in 1919. The report is an extensive compilation setting as its example the potential afforestation of a very large area of the Great Glen southwards from Inverness.
The landmark report sets out the case for afforestation on an economic and employment basis in a 1911 Scotland. It considers existing situation of sheep farms, deer forests, land tenure and describes the subsequent effects if substantial areas were set aside for afforestation. Lord Lovat and Captain Keir have set out their afforestation case in the following chapter headings:
A Central Forest Authority – Method of procedure, Survey of Glen Mor, Area selected
Local Economics – Wintering, Rates
Detailed Survey of Fort Augustus Block – Treatment of sheep and deer farms, Wintering in plantations, Shootings
Rent and Other Charges – Rent, Rates
Workmen’s Dwellings and Tenure of Holdings – Amount of employment, Labour supply, Method of increasing labour supply, Houses and tenure of land, Offices, Type of croft and buildings, Plans of buildings, Number of weeks of forest work, Number and position of crofts
Control and Management – The scheme, Foresters, Time required for organisation
Finance and Employment – Estimated expenditure, Notes on employees, Realisation of Timber, Table of Work, Natural timber crops, Wages
Stocking the Ground – Aldourie, Dochfour, Glen Urquhart, Invermorriston, Inchnacardoch Glendoe Dell, Cullachy, Invergarry, Achnacarry, Auchendaul
Sketch of Working Plans – General outlines, Meteorological conditions, Geology, Fencing, Draining, Transport facilities, Planting scheme, Nursery, Staff and labour
Utilisation of Existing Woodland Produce – Birch and Oak woods, Existing natural birch and stub grown oak, Conifer woods and plantations, New extended conifer plantations, Summary
Conclusion
Appendix A - Central Forest Authority
Appendix B – Tenure of land under Afforestation – Five Different Schemes
1. Purchase or Feu by State
2. Long Lease by State
3. Co-operation by Partnership between Proprietor and State
4. Encouragement of Individual Effort by State Loans
5. Private Enterprise under State Control
Conclusion – Insurance
Appendix C – Suggested Agreement between the Forest Authority and the Landowner
Compulsory Powers, Appeals and Arbitration
Plans and Maps
Map No 1 General map showing Forest Blocks.
Map No 2 Fort Augustus Block showing area of plantable ground and portions which are suitable for certain species.
Map No 3 – Fort Augustus Block showing order of planting up the ground.
Should anyone look at the afforestation plan outlines above and the early subsequent plantings in the Great Glen from 1920 onwards they will see the strong correlation in the forestry boundaries. It so happens that Lord Lovat was Chairman or the fledgling Forestry Commission since its inception until 1929 and a robust driver of many of the concepts detailed in the proposals and plans above. A truly remarkable document!
Note that the Lord Lovat’s (Major General Simon Fraser) sister was married to Captain Archibald Stirling (Later Brigadier General).
Please see the PDF link below for the full report.
Download Large Version (2.5MB)
Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry Records, Booklets and Reports