News
Important Access Information and Exciting Forestry News!
We are excited to share that the invasive Sitka Compartment E will be felled shortly (November 2026). This will enable us to replant the site with native broadleaf, resulting in the creation of an additional 3 hectares of rainforest habitat. Removal of the Sitka plantation will prevent the continued spread of Sitka throughout the rainforest and increase the light received by our rainforest native species. Sitka increases soil acidity and alters the fungal and microbial communities that our native broadleaf trees rely on, whilst displacing our native wildlife. This is a huge step forwards in the regeneration of Balnakailly and we are excited to see the results and the long term impact of the Sitka being removed.
Access at Balnakailly, the Loop/ Circular walk and Johnny’s Way will be limited during the felling operations, which are estimated to last approximately four weeks. We will publish the start date here, please share the date and this information widely. Please support Bute Forest and our agents RTS Forestry by adhering to these instructions for your own safety and that of the forestry operatives; we are delighted to be working in partnership with RTS Forestry who have extensive experience of harvesting commercial forestry.
As per the Map below, during Harvesting Operations there will be No Public Access allowed in the following areas:
Compartment E Sitka: Including the Balnakailly Farm Steading
The Top path from the Farm Steading to the WW2 Bunker including the Tallwood Turning Space and Johnny’s Way Art Trail.
The Mid section of the Circular Walk: From Balnakailly Sitka Compartment E to Forestry Track T-Junction at Tawnich
Download a PDF copy of the map below:
Access Information Map Sitka Harvesting
During this period you can still access the WW2 Bunker via the Mid path (see map). We may be forced to close or reroute a section of this path for a limited period as it follows the Compartment E boundary for a small section, in this event we will post on Facebook to advise.
Huge thanks to our neighbours: Tallwood (Johnny's way), who have enabled access via their land; without their cooperation this felling could not take place, and together, we are working towards creating a native woodland corridor at the North End of Bute.
Read the latest news from the Bute Forest team below.
Escape from the busyness of life to the tranquil forest.
Bute Community Land Company acquires the Former Shalunt Quarry site from Mount Stuart Trust to develop a new 'Welcome Hub'.
Wildflower Walk by Roger Connard. Review by Andrea Dow.
Through the latest lockdown and winter months, the Bute Community Forest Board and volunteers have been busy behind the scenes and in the Forest itself.
The presentation below was delivered at the public meeting held on 2nd December.
You are warmly invited to the Bute Community Forest’s Public Meeting (by Zoom) on Wed 2nd December 7pm.
As lockdown restrictions ease, work has progressed outdoors in Bute’s Community Forest. The Woodlanders – aka Jessica Herriot and Gordon Stevenson – and volunteers have created exciting new trails in Moss Wood (Shalunt Wood).
Please be advised that the AGM planned for the 25th March has been POSTPONED due to the coronavirus outbreak and ongoing concerns for public health. A new date will be arranged in due course.