Latest COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information
Last updated: 20 May 2020 - 11:20am
In light of the most recent Government directive in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation, it is more important than ever that we pull together and do our utmost to look after ourselves and our loved ones. As ever the health and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and contractors is our primary concern so we have made necessary decision to close down all our current non-essential operations, except some harvesting sites that provide essential woodfuel and material for other essential products. Details are listed on this page.
Our staff where possible are now working from home, which means regional offices are closed, as are all of our visitor facilities - including toilets, car parks and mountain biking trails.
We know that Government advice is for people to go outside to take physical exercise where it is safe to do so as this is not only good for physical health, but also can boost wellbeing and reduce anxiety too.
However we need to avoid unnecessary travel, so make your walk a local one; do not get into your car to travel to one of the woods we manage. The walking trails within these local forests will remain open but you must exercise alone or with your own household and, if encountering other people, maintain the physical distancing rule. Remember our toilets, mountain biking trails, and car parks are closed.
If you do not live close to one of our woodlands there will be other places that you can visit. I encourage you to get outdoors and enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise where safe to do so.
Forestry and Land Scotland will continue to follow all public health advice issued by the Scottish Government and NHS Inform.
Simon Hodgson
Chief Executive, Forestry and Land Scotland
Latest information
- The latest Government advice is here.
- The Scottish Government has issued the following guidance, applicable under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code during the current emergency:
- Stay local – please do not travel in your car to take exercise; please make use of the paths, open spaces and quiet roads in your own local area
- Maintain your distance – please stay at least 2 metres away from other people and if possible try to avoid busy times on popular paths or places
- Respect the health and safety of farmers and others working the land – please follow all reasonable requests and signs to avoid particular areas, such as farmyards, fields with pregnant or young livestock, and other busy working areas
- Keep your dog under control – please put them on a lead or keep them close at heel and do not let them approach other people or livestock
- Avoid contact – try to avoid touching surfaces and if possible plan a route that does not require you to open gates
- All of our car parks, mountain bike trails, visitor centres, cafés and other visitor facilities - including toilets - are closed until further notice.
- However, our forests remain open to those who can travel to them without a motor vehicle. Go for a walk in your local forests, but maintain physical distancing at all times. Getting outdoors will help maintain physical and mental wellbeing.
- Do not travel by motor vehicle to one of our forests, and do not camp overnight at any site that we manage.
- Please be aware that we are currently unable to maintain our standard trail checks and maintenance.
- GoApe treetop adventure sites at Glentress and Aberfoyle, as well as Nevis Range Mountain Experience are closed.
- All shooting, stalking and related activity has been suspended on the national forests and land. Find out more about our response to Covid-19 as it relates to fox control.
- All mountain bothies on the national forests and land are closed.
- There will be no events and group activities in our forests until the end of June.
- If you have any concerns, we suggest checking the latest advice issued by the Scottish Government and NHS Inform.
- Our Procurement and Estate Development teams have created the following 'frequently asked questions' documents for companies who hold commercial leases or provide goods, services or works to Forestry and Land Scotland:
Procurement, Contracts and Finance FAQs (PDF)
Commercial tenants and agreement holders' FAQs (PDF) - updated 20 May
Commercial Timber Customers' FAQs (PDF)
Scavenging licenses and firewood permits FAQs (PDF)
This page will be updated as the situation develops, so please check back regularly.