Community ownership: case studies

A series of case studies of community ownership organisations across Scotland.


Aigas Community Forest

Asset: Aigas Forest, 703 acres, in Lower Strathglass, Beauly, Inverness-shire, purchased in March 2015 through the National Forest Land Scheme

Website: http://www.aigasforest.org.uk

Contact: Helge Hansen, Forest Manager: helge@aigasforest.org.uk

Scottish Land Fund grant – £740,000

Projects and activities:

  • Opening up paths through the forest
  • Designing and constructing challenging all-ability tracks and activities
  • Establishing an outdoor venue and programme of artistic and cultural events

Main successes so far:

  • Established a small fire wood business with volunteers
  • Started converting some of our Scots Pine stands to continuous cover forestry 
  • Provided chain saw training for local people 

…and challenges?

  • Managing deer population to move towards continuous cover forestry

Any advice for groups thinking of taking on land assets?

  • Be ambitious but also have realistic targets of what can be achieved

Contact

Email: Janet.Mountford-Smith@gov.scot

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