Great Glen Way and Caledonian Way path users warned to expect delays
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Users of trails in the Great Glen are being warned to expect delays as forestry work lasting 12 months gets under way.
Forestry and Land Scotland says that people planning to take on the Great Glen Way long-distance trail or Caledonian Way cycle route once Covid restrictions are eased should be aware of the felling operations.
There are expected to be short delays at a section by Loch Lochy – on the north shore of the loch, approximately 5km north from Gairlochy – as it carries out some steep ground felling.
The operations, which will run from now until March 2022, will see mature trees removed from a steep hillside by use of a skyline winch, which will haul felled trees up the hill and away from both the routes.
In order to ensure public safety, path users on both routes will be stopped for 10 to 20 minutes as trees are felled and extracted.
David John Robertson, the organisation's area visitor services manager, said: “The trees at this section have grown so large that the now present a risk of being blown over in a storm, which could have a significant impact on the slope stability and on the highly popular paths that run through the site.
“In order to minimise that risk as much as possible, we are felling those trees but it’s going to be a long and challenging task.
“Both the walking routes will remain open but there will be times when we will have to stop path users for 10 to 20 minutes as trees are felled and hauled up the slope.
“We’re anticipating that lots of people will be looking to enjoy the routes once Covid restrictions are eased, so we’ll do what we can to minimise any disruption but we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.”
Banksmen will be on hand to ensure that members of the public observe the safety requirements and pass through the work site only when it is safe for them to do so. It is anticipated that there will be two stoppages required every hour.
Path users are also being advised that the heavy machinery in use will also cause some disturbance to the forest road surface, so walkers and mountain bike riders will need to take extra care.
