Forestry Commission looks to the past with cattle grazing scheme

Published on Friday 15 May 2009 21:22

AN AGE-OLD method of forest management that makes use of Highland cattle is enjoying a comeback in Scotland.

Sixty pure-bred cattle have been set loose in the Great Trossachs Forest at Loch Katrine, in a low-impact forest management technique that was common centuries ago.

Donald Hendry, from Forestry Commission Scotland, said: "They are perfect for the job because they are much less selective grazers than deer and sheep.

"Their heavy trampling of the ground can be a useful tool in stimulating regeneration of seedlings, and at higher grazing densities, the cattle will maintain open space in the woodland.

He added: "This is good for biodiversity and will also help us to retain the stunning loch and mountain views."

He said the impact of the grazing would be monitored to make sure the right number of cattle were kept on the site and added that he hoped the herd would breed to provide animals for other conservation projects in the future.

Roseanna Cunningham, the environment minister, said: "We all try to keep up with the fast pace of progress and that can mean we lose sight of traditional ways of doing things. Sometimes this is no bad thing but occasionally we miss a trick.

"This project is reviving techniques that will benefit the immediate environment, that will enrich the visitor experience and which, longer term, could have a beneficial effect on the rural economy."

The Loch Katrine cattle are the first domestic livestock to graze the site for seven years after sheep were removed from the site by Scottish Water in 2002 over water contamination issues.

A new water treatment plant has been built at Milngavie and permission granted to resume domestic livestock grazing in the area.