Aigas Community Forest

A productive, working forest providing measurable social, economic and environmental benefits for local residents and visitors alike

About Us

We started our endeavours to bring Aigas Forest under community control in March of 2009 following notification from Forestry Commission Scotland that they had declared the forest surplus and would be selling it.  Here is a potted history:

• The Forestry Commission advised Kilmorack Community Council that it would be putting Aigas Forest on the Market.
• Scottish Law requires that such sales are offered to the community first.
• A meeting took place at Kilmorack Hall to discuss the situation on  25 March 2009
• After a 100% vote in favour, volunteers were sought to form a steering group.
• The steering group has pursued the path to acquire the Forest for the community if financially viable.
• Funds were sourced from HIE and The Highland Council to finance the production of a feasibility study and 5 year business plan from consultants Bell Ingram in order to move the project forward.
• The initial confirmation of interest was lodged with the Forestry Commission 19 May 2009
• Community Consultation hosted by Bell Ingram took place at Kilmorack Hall on 29 June 2009 plus community postal survey
• Feasibility Study was presented to Public Meeting at Kilmorack Hall on 17 August 2009
• A Forest Walk took place on Sunday 23 August 2009 where approx fifty members of the community took part.
• The community ballot was taken and the result showed outstanding support for the acquisition.
• The application to purchase under the National Forest Land Scheme was delivered to the Forestry Commission on the 8 September 2009
• The District Valuer (DV), accompanied by two members of the Steering Group and Cripian Cook of Bell Ingram, visited the Forest 16 September 2009
• Forestry Commission Scotland approved the Option to Purchase on 17 December 2009
• The DV provided a value for the forest of £690,000.  This is the purchase price for Aigas Community Forest.
• The Aigas Community Forest company was formed on 9 February 2010 
• Aigas Community Forest gained Charitable Status on 30 June 2010 as Registered Scottish charity, No: SC041614
• Further funding was sourced from LEADER and The Highland Council to create this website and undertake a range of development and fundraising activities
• Sir John Lister-Kaye and Professor James Hunter recruited as Forest Champions July 2010
• May 2011, NFLS grant an 18-month extension to allow Aigas Community Forest to fully investigate the potential to lease the Forest rather than purchase it outright.

All members of the public are welcome to attend any of our Board meetings.  You can download a copy of the minutes of our meetings, a list of meeting dates, newsletters and other relevant documents in our Document Library.

Our Directors were all elected or appointed at the 1st AGM on 20th June 2011.  They are:

Graeme Scott (Chair)
Andrew Leaver (Secretary)
John Graham (Treasurer)
Steve Byford (rep. Kilmorack Community Council)
Calum Fraser
Mark Hedderwick
Peter Masheter
Alisdair Stewart