Strathgarve Felling Update
Garve and District Community Council
Added at 13:33 on 06 May 2026
Following on from previous posts and updates shared at Community Council meetings. This matter has been ongoing since 12th November 2025, when we were first told felling would begin in early December 2025. A significant amount of time has been spent, with extensive email exchanges throughout and a site meeting on November 26th. Initally we were told the felling was tied into the Western Isles HDVC link. Later we were assured that was not the case. We have been told this activity is purely to fell a planned coupe.
A subsequent in-person meeting took place at Garve Public Hall , 3rd March 2026
with GDCC: Bob and Sadie, Malcolm Macdougal FLS – Forestry and Land Scotland, Iain Moncrieff THC – The Highland Council, and Cllr Kraft.
At the time the meeting felt productive, until;-
A month later, on 2nd April 2026, Malcom at FLS advised:
"I realise that it has been some time since we met, so I thought I would send you an update because things are not progressing as quickly as expected.
We are currently waiting for a response from Highland Council to agree the specification and approve the consents for work to start on the passing places.
This is taking longer than expected and work cannot commence until this is in place.
As soon as we have completed the works on the public road, felling will commence behind the lodge.
The pre-commencement meeting has taken place and the forest road has been upgraded, ready for work to start.
As soon as I have any further information I will let you know."
We responded:
"Thank you for the update.
Update from our side:-
We chatted with Strathgarve residents, as you suggested, regarding times that they would prefer not to have logging lorries / related machinery along Strathgarve Mains.
Essentially dog walkers who use the lane between the hours of 8.30am and 9.45am daily – providing we can get the signage in place – playpark user times mentioned should not be an issue.
We are still waiting on The Highland Council too, in respect of the signage directing playpark visitors not to come through Garve village and to continue along the A835.
Unfortunately, work is progressing already despite the assurances we were given.
*This enormous earth mover came out of the forestry track opposite Keeper's Cottage and proceeded along Strathgarve Mains at 3.30pm this afternoon.
It then continued towards Strathgarve Lodge."
{* photos sent of various heavy plant up and down Strathgarve Mains which has now ceased}
On 16th April, we received the following via our Facebook page from Matthew Tervet
"Hi there. Just a quick message on behalf of our company D. Tervet and Son Contractors, Kiltarlity.
We were carrying out the forest road upgrade in preparation for the felling at Strathgarve.
Just to say that the works in the forest are complete now and we have moved our equipment off site.
I believe there’s been a hold-up of some form with the passing places and we are awaiting further instruction on them.
Other than some pothole repairs on the Strathgarve Lodge access still to be carried out, that’s our works to the right from the T-junction completed.
We will return to do the passing places as and when we get the green light.
I just wanted to say thank you to all residents, walkers and cyclists for their patience over the few weeks we were working on the forest road."
View video of the turning circle which has been created for logging lorries
GDCC note: Before haulage uses Strathgarve Mains, three passing places must be installed as agreed 3rd March 2026
On 5th May 2026, Malcolm at FLS advised:
"Felling on the site behind Strathgarve Lodge will commence on the 11th of May, with haulage commencing in the following weeks.
The timber will be hauled and stored at Silverbridge due to the restrictions on the public road making it impossible to load a ship in the timescales required.
Works on the public road will also be ongoing as and when the road permits are issued by the Highland Council."
We replied:
"At the 3rd March meeting, you stated that a further wildlife survey would be undertaken prior to felling.
With felling due to start on 11th May:
Has the survey been completed?
What mitigations are in place given it is now nesting season?"
The reply from Malcolm - today
"The site has been sold to a timber merchant under what we call a Standing Sales contact.
This means the trees are sold standing and the merchant is responsible for felling and removing the products to markets across the north.
Under the terms of the contract, the merchant must carry out environmental surveys and put appropriate mitigation in place to ensure that they operate within the law.
The surveys have been completed, and the merchant will be responsible for managing and monitoring the mitigation measures as required throughout the operation.
As landowner, FLS will ensure that the timber merchant is operating within the terms of the contract."
At the same meeting, 3rd March 2026, we were told by Cllr Kraft that, following her discussions with Debbie Sutton, THC Chief Officer for Operations and Maintenance, playpark signage {long requested for the entrance to Garve village, directing traffic to Wyvis Natural Playpark via the A835 rather than through the village} was ready for installation.
{Directional information is also clearly available on the playpark’s Facebook page: https://bit.ly/WyvisNPP}
At the meeting, Iain Moncrieff had agreed to follow this up and come back to us; however, he is no longer involved in the THC liaison for this project.
Despite repeated follow-up, there has been no response and no signage installed.
The project has consistently been dependent on waiting for THC to act.
We have now been waiting over two months for updates on:
- Installation of signage
- Construction of the three agreed passing places
With work due to commence next week, safety remains our primary concern;- hence the urgent need for both signage and passing places.
We have been informed there may be up to 8 logging haulage trucks, equating to 16 movements per day along Strathgarve Mains. A single track road currently without any passing places.
There are no restricted operating hours, meaning potentially operational 24/7 with only load numbers limiting activity.
We have been assured that no haulage will begin until the passing places are in place.
