A public and private partnership project in the Highlands to move maturing timber over a new forest road to a floating pier has received funding from the Scottish Government.

Under the Strategic Timber Transport Fund, over £987,000 has been awarded to the project to move maturing timber over a new forest road to a floating pier to be built on the Morvern peninsula, with additional contributions being made by three private sector forest owners.

The plan is to build a forest road connecting up three timber producing forests on Morvern, which will then take the timber to a floating pier where the timber can be loaded onto ships.

The new initiative will mean that an estimated 12,000 lorry trips will be averted off the narrow B849, which is used by the Drimnin and Lochaline communities, Scottish Forestry said.

In total, it is estimated that around 163,000 cubic metres of timber will be moved by sea in the new project, avoiding the use of small, narrow rural roads used by the Morvern and Ardnamurchan communities.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Forestry is an important industry which is key to our green recovery. It generates around £1 billion to the Scottish economy each year and supports around 25,000 jobs – many of these in remoter rural areas.

“This new public and private project is a winning solution for all. It allows the forest owners to get their timber to market, for the benefit of the local and national economy, but in a way which minimises impacts on the local communities.”

Derek Lewis of Drimnin Estate said: “The commencement of this project represents the culmination of many years of effort to find an environmentally sensitive way of exporting timber from Morvern’s forests. 

“It will remove the long-standing threat of large volumes of timber traffic on Morvern’s fragile roads and the adverse impact that would have on residents, the environment and the tourist economy. 

“We are very grateful for the support of Scottish Forestry, the Scottish Government, the Highland Council and the Morvern Community Council in realising the wishes of the local community.”

Malcolm MacLeod, the Highland Council’s executive chief officer for infrastructure and the environment, said: “It would have been very costly for the council to upgrade the public road and works would certainly have caused disruption for anyone living and working in the peninsula.

“However, we are delighted as not only does this project provide welcomed investment, but by reducing timber transport on the local road network it will make a significant difference to those living in the community.  

“The Strategic Timber Transport Fund has brought great benefits to the Highlands in recent years and we will continue to work together with the private sector to develop projects to resolve identified timber transport problems.”

Partners involved in the project include Scottish Forestry, Highland Council, the Drimnin Estate and the owners of Carnacailliche and Auchnasaul forests.

Forestry Journal remains dedicated to bringing you all the latest news and views from across our industry, plus up-to-date information on the impacts of COVID-19.

Please support us by subscribing to our print edition, delivered direct to your door, from as little at £69 for 1 year – or consider a digital subscription from just £1 for 3 months.

To arrange, follow this link: https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/subscribe/

Thanks – and stay safe.