The fruits of public ownership are celebrated in Glenmore
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A new cherry tree is growing in Glenmore Forest.
In brilliant sunshine today, its planting by energy and environment minister Gillian Martin began the second century of the forest park's public ownership.
“The next 100 years will bring new challenges," she told an invited audience at the Glenmore Visitor Centre, "but I have no doubt that the passion, dedication and expertise of the foresters who look after this amazing place will ensure that Glenmore Forest Park continues to thrive.”
The minister was clearly delighted to meet many of those who had steered the forest's success since its purchase from the Duke of Gordon in 1923, four years after the creation of the Forestry Commission.
Glenmore had experienced all of the changes in the forestry sector, including the early years of forestry expansion, the decades of technological and sociological change, and – over the past 40 years - the tempering of commercial concerns with conservation.
“It is a pleasure to meet some of the foresters – past and present – whose efforts have contributed to making Glenmore Forest Park what it is today," the minister told her guests as she prepared to plant the bird cherry (Prunus padus) specially chosen to represent the planned resurgence of indigenous trees across the forest.
As non-native species are removed from what remains of the great Caledonian Forest, true 'locals' are planted in their place and the cherry certainly looked the part today on lawn beside the 'Norwegian stone' at the visitor centre.
“This is quite a unique location," said Ms Martin, "embodying the evolution of forestry practice – and the results that those changes have wrought - across the country over the past 100 years.
“Timber production still has a part to play but Glenmore has become a much-loved and hugely popular visitor destination and is also recognised for the major contribution made here to habitat restoration and species conservation – not least of the endangered capercaillie and more recently the release of wildcats into Glenmore Forest.
“Having played a significant role in Scotland’s past, forests like Glenmore are even more critical to our future, capturing carbon emissions and helping to mitigate climate change."
Over the last 30 years an extensive felling programme of non-native conifers (around 500 hectares) and effective deer control is helping to expand the native Scots Pine forest largely through natural regeneration.
The work will continue now, with Forestry and Land Scotland estimating the non-native conifer removal will take another 15 years to complete.
Balancing conservation, forestry, recreation and community interests has been made considerably more challenging with the additional pressures of the impacts of the climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis.
From the Forestry Commission being the only public agency working with private landowners in the area in 1923, Forestry and Land Scotland now works in partnership with many other organisations - including Cairngorm Connect, RSPB Scotland, RZSS, CNPA, HIE, as well as many community organisations and businesses - to address these challenges.
Working together to develop pragmatic, co-operative and innovative solutions will help ensure that Glenmore Forest Park goes from strength to strength in the decades ahead.
Anyone interested in the 20th Century history of Glenmore can find out more in the Touchwood History “No rivalry but different”.
