Doune Castle Woodland Management Plan consultation

Mar 30, 2022

DOUNE CASTLE WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN

 Context

Mark Hamilton Landscape Services are currently preparing a Woodland Management Plan for the grounds around Doune Castle. This work is on behalf of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) who manage and maintain the site. The plan will support a recently produced Landscape Conservation Management Plan and will set out woodland management proposals for the next 10 years. Once complete the plan will be sent for approval to regulator Scottish Forestry.

Download map of Propsed Areas of Change

 Current Management Issues

  • Self-seeded trees growing near Castle walls are obscuring views of the Castle.
  • Large conifers adjacent to the access road out of keeping with nature of the surrounding woodland.
  • Loss of vegetation following recent site works has left patches of bare and disturbed ground.
  • Mature woodland areas include trees vulnerable to storm damage.
  • Ash Dieback disease is spreading through the area, reducing the woodland cover.

Aim

  • The aim of the Woodland Management Plan is to protect, conserve, and enhance the quality and character of the landscape setting of Doune Castle.

Objectives

  • To maintain the woodland in a healthy condition to retain the landscape character in the future.
  • To utilise the Management Plan to assist coordinated management, dealing with issues in a sustainable and timely manner.
  • To manage the woodland to retain open views of the Castle where possible.
  • To mitigate the potential loss of ash trees (due to disease) through new planting and the promotion of young trees where appropriate.

Proposals Summary

  • Thinning to remove trees which are unstable, damaged or diseased.
  • Thinning to allow enrichment planting which will increase the species and age diversity of the woodland.
  • Small-scale thinning and coppicing to remove young trees blocking views of the west side of the Castle.
  • Felling a row of unsightly coniferous trees east of the Castle.
  • Removal of young trees and scrub south of the Castle to retain views and protect sub-surface historic features.
  • Felling a small group of coniferous trees on elevated ground near Muir Crescent.
  • Planting of a limited number of individual broadleaved trees in open grassland, to replace felled trees and create a parkland setting.

Feedback

We are welcoming comments from the community on the proposals.

From the 26th March to 9th April there is a consultation display on show in the Doune Library with a chance to comment via feedback forms.

You can also provide comment by email (mark@mhlandscapeservices.co.uk) up to the 15th April 2022.

Feedback Form