Angus forest users urged to help shape future of 1,000-hectare wood
Users of a popular Angus forest are being asked for their views on shaping its future.
Forestry and Land Scotland is developing a long-term plan for the management of Montreathmont, near Brechin.
The forest covers almost 1,000 hectares and is known for its productive timber crops, particularly Sitka spruce and Scots pine.
It is also hugely popular with walkers, cyclists and wildlife enthusiasts.
But Montreathmont has changed dramatically in recent years due to events including the impact of Storm Arwen.
The 2021 storm resulted in extensive windblow and subsequent restocking work.
FLS is currently preparing a new 10-year plan that will guide how the 997-hectare forest is managed into the future.
The draft plan focuses on three key objectives:
- Maintaining timber production
- Increasing resilience to storm damage
- Expanding riparian woodland areas
FLS planning forester James Reid said:
“Montreathmont is an important forest for timber production, wildlife and recreation, and we’re keen to hear from the people who know and use it.
“The new plan will help shape how the forest is managed over the next decade, including how we build resilience to future storm events, support sustainable timber production and enhance the wider environment.”
A public drop-in event is being held on Tuesday November 24, from 5pm to 8pm at Guthrie Village Hall.
More details on the plan can be found on the FLS website.
During World War Two, a top secret listening post was hidden deep within Montreathmont.
Codenamed PO Box 25 from its cover address, the facility was Scotland’s largest of its kind and a key outstation for Bletchley Park.
The heart of Montreathmont is also at the centre of a major solar farm and battery storage scheme.
The 42MW development was approved by Angus Council in 2022 but is still to be constructed.
In August, Montreathmont Energy Centre Ltd submitted a screening opinion request to the council for a 12.8 km cable connection to Lunanhead substation, east of Forfar.
The authority decided an environmental impact assessment is not required.
FLS said the renewable energy site is not on land managed by them.
This article appeared in the Courier on 13 November 2026