Read about our proposals to extend our community woodland through acquiring adjacent land.
Broadford and Strath Community Company is seeking to acquire Broadford North Wood to manage and develop for community benefit. The site is adjacent to the existing Broadford Community Woodland. We have submitted a Stage 2 application to the Scottish Land Fund and a decision is expected by December 2025.
About Broadford North Wood
Broadford North Wood was planted in 1977 and is currently owned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. It covers 12.4ha and is composed predominantly of poor and moderate quality Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine, with some areas of open ground and scrub. There is currently no provision for public access and there has been no active woodland management since the southern portion of the wood was clear-felled 15 years ago.
Earlier this year we commissioned a feasibility study, funded by the Scottish Land Fund, to help us make an informed decision about acquiring the land. This followed strong indication of community support for the acquisition, for example through the Broadford and Strath Local Place Plan and consultation undertaken in 2024 around the future of our Community Woodland.
The feasibility study evaluates harvesting and restocking operations, access options and potential community projects and activities in Broadford North Wood and the community woodland. It also provides a risk analysis and detailed consideration of costs, income and available funding for the acquisition and subsequent management and development of both sites.
The study demonstrates that community acquisition of Broadford North Wood, with subsequent harvesting and restocking, should generate a small surplus and will facilitate or enhance the development of various community projects and activities. These include the development of volunteering opportunities and the extension of the local path network, as well as unlocking access to the existing community woodland.
Key elements of the proposal
Based on the feasibility study we have developed a business plan which has been submitted with our Scottish Land Fund bid. Key elements are:
- BSCC will acquire Broadford North Wood and an additional small plot of land, and create a new access road into the wood from the industrial estate.
- Broadford North Wood and two small isolated stands in the community woodland will be clear-felled and restocked with a mix of broadleaved and conifer species.
- BSCC will employ and equip a Community Woodland Manager (separately funded) to deliver the community’s plans for the extended woodland, including overseeing harvesting operations and managing development projects.
- The Community Woodland Manager will promote and coordinate community involvement in the management of the woodlands, and develop the woods as a venue for community volunteering,
- New paths will be created, including links between the Growers Hub, the telecoms mast and the Rathad na Cloinne path.
- Peatland and wetland areas will be restored and invasive species tackled, with native broadleaves and Scots pine planted to replace Sitka spruce regeneration.
- BSCC will develop additional projects e.g. woodfuel, Christmas trees, commemorative trees, to generate income to support the long-term sustainability of the community woodlands.
BSCC has requested to purchase Broadford North Wood through the Community Asset Transfer process, under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment Act (Scotland) Act 2015.
A map showing Community Woodland and Broadford North Wood can be downloaded here.
We look forward to sharing updates about this exciting project.