Royal Scottish Forestry Society: Central Region events at Stirling and Kilmeford and field excursion near Oban

Royal Scottish Forestry Society – Central Region Events at Stirling and Kilmelford and Field Trips near Oban

Members and guests are welcome to attend any or all of the meetings, either in Stirling and/or in the Oban/Kilmelford area, irrespective of their affiliation. Non-members considering joining either the RSFS or Argyll Small Woods Co-operative are most welcome to attend. Please book in as requested.

Tuesday 16 February 2016 – Early Evening

An early evening meeting at the Stirling Campus, Forth Valley College, Drip Road, Stirling FK8 1SE. The campus lies immediately east of the M9 at Junction 10, on the flood plain of the River Forth - OS 1:50,000 Sheet 57 Stirling - Map Reference NS 782 951. Parking freely available on Campus.

Meet at 16:30 for 17:00 start.

Mike Strachan, Policy Support and Development Officer, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) will provide an update on the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) with an emphasis on the grants available for small woodland creation and management. Questions will be taken.

Soup and sandwiches will be served at 18:00 (Free to RSFS Members / £5.00 for Visitors).

Following the break, Fergus Younger will provide an introduction to the Argyll Small Woods Co-operative (and to the joint field excursions with RSFS on Wednesday 17^th and Thursday 18^th February, 2016).

Paul Orsi, of Silva Foundation, Oxfordshire, will provide the Scottish Launch of their woodland management and planning software “My Forest”. See https://sylva.org.uk/myforest for background.

The evening will close at 20:30 hours after a final Q&A session with Mike Strachan, Fergus Younger and Paul Orsi, conducted by Nander Robertson, RSFS Regional Chairman.

RSVP: For catering, please give prior confirmation of attendance to Michael Osborne, RSFS Central Region Secretary, Dunblane (01786) 822034 Email: osbornemichael765@yahoo.co.uk

Wednesday 17 February 2016 – Afternoon and Evening

An afternoon field excursion with the Argyll Small Woods Co-operative, to Barndromin Farm, Kniploch, PA34 4QS, by kind permission of Mr J. Mellor, to consider the advantages and disadvantages of woodland grazing and the management of shelter woods.

Meet at 12:00 hours at the steading, off the A816, 6 miles south of Oban, on the south side of Loch Feochan - OS 1:50,000 Sheet 49 Oban - Map Reference NM 848 232

This afternoon excursion will conclude at 16:00 hours, and will be followed by the Argyll Small Woods Co-operative Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held at the Culfail Hotel, Kilmelford, PA34 4XA, commencing at 17:00 hours. Members of both organisations who intend to stay for the evening session have the option of booking dinner in the Culfail Hotel (01852 200274) OS 1:50,000 Sheet 55 Lochgilphead - Map Reference NM 849 131

The evening session will commence at 19.30 hours with Elaine Jamieson (FCS) providing an update on the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) with an emphasis on the grants available for small woodland creation and management. Questions will be taken.

Paul Orsi, of Silva Foundation, Oxfordshire, will provide the Scottish Launch of their woodland management and planning software “My Forest”. See https://sylva.org.uk/myforest for background.

The meeting will close at 21:30

RSVP: In order to gauge catering requirements, please confirm attendance at Argyll Small Woods Co-operative Field Visit to Barndromin Farm, the AGM, and the evening SRDP and Silva briefings with Neil Donaldson (Mobile: 07810 810818) Email: mail@donenvironmental.co.uk - and with Michael Osborne, RSFS Central Region Secretary, Dunblane (01786) 822034 Email: osbornemichael765@yahoo.co.uk

Thursday 18 February 2016 - Morning

An RSFS field morning including Argyll Small Woods Co-operative members.

Meet at 09.15 hours at the Caledonian Mart, Soroba Road, Oban, PA34 4SD (1 mile south of Oban on the A816) OS 1:50,000 Sheet 49 Oban - Map Reference NM 866 277. 4WD vehicles recommended, if available.

The group will drive to Kilmore Wood (owned by Mr and Mrs Hugh Whittle) to consider problems of access, gradients and the minimal use of the minor public road by timber lorries, with the discussion led by Kirsty Robb, Argyll Timber Transport Group (ATTG) Regional Project Officer, and J Robin Dixon, Forestry Consultant.

Moving onto Ardmaddy Estate, by kind permission of Charles Struthers, at 11:00 hours, the challenges of restocking on a traditional mixed woodland estate will be illustrated.

RSVP: Lunch is kindly provided by the hosts for those who confirm attendance to Neil Donaldson (Mobile: 07810 810818) Email: mail@donenvironmental.co.uk – and/or Michael Osborne, RSFS Central Region Secretary, Dunblane (01786) 822034 Email: osbornemichael765@yahoo.co.uk