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New images show scale of storm impact on forests

Forestry and Land Scotland A general view of a forest of fir trees, with about half of them in the foreground flattened. Forestry and Land Scotland
It could take more than a week to clear trees from trails at Newcastleton Forest

New photographs of a forest near Scotland's border with England show the scale of destruction caused by Storm Éowyn last week.

The aerial view shows a large number of trees in Newcastleton Forest that were flattened by the high winds.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) said the forest was so badly damaged it could be a week or more before walking and mountain bike trails are cleared and repaired.

Other sites in the south of Scotland that have suffered significant damage include Kirroughtree, Ae, Mabie and Dalbeattie forests.

At Dalbeattie all the walking and cycling trails are closed while FLS teams assess the scale and scope of the damage.

And there is only very limited access to two walking trails at Kirroughtree in Galloway, though the visitor centre, cafe and bike shop remain open.

"The rest of the site is currently not safe for public access and we would ask visitors not to venture further into the forest while we continue clear-up operations," a spokesperson said.

Forestry and Land Scotland About half of the trees in the photograph are flattened. Forestry and Land Scotland
Teams are working to create safe access routes into Newcastleton forest to inspect the damage

Storm damage information at other forests:

  • Glentress and Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders are open, with some of the walking and mountain biking trails safe for the public to use
  • Some of the trails at Ae and Mabie, near Dumfries, are open but diversions are in place as work continues to clear remaining windblown trees
  • Visitor facilities at Glentrool in Galloway have been cleared and all trails are open and safe to use

FLS said teams were making good progress inspecting, clearing and reopening recreation facilities across the region.

But they warned that some facilities would remain closed for at least another week, and urged people to use common sense when visiting woodlands.

Forestry and Land Scotland Uprooted tree lies across a path in a forestForestry and Land Scotland
A number of forest paths have been blocked by fallen trees

Colin Binnie, FLS' south region deputy manager urged visitors to forests to follow signs and not climb on, or through, windblown trees.

"Our staff and contractors are continuing to work hard to deal with the impacts of Storm Eowyn across the south region," he said.

"Although we're making good progress, it's going to take a bit more time to safely gather information on the full extent of the damage.

"Our priorities will be on keeping staff and contractors safe, restoring safe access to neighbours and people who live in the forests, and supporting utilities companies in restoring power to homes and communities where this is still an issue.

"Alongside this, our staff are also making the forests safe for visiting by the public."

Forestry and land Scotland A tree trunk lies horizontal on the forest floor, with its roots visible on the right hand side. Forestry and land Scotland
Storm damage in Mabie Forest, near Dumfries

Winds of up to 100mph hit parts of the UK last Friday, leaving tens of thousands without power and causing travel disruption.

And in Ayrshire Calum Carmichael, 19, of New Cumnock, died after a tree hit his car in what the Met Office described as the strongest UK storm in 10 years.