Coille Ruadh West Forest

Location 

Coille Ruadh West is located at the northwestern end of the expansive Strathoykel Forest complex, which spans over 1,300 hectares of commercial forestry amidst the breathtaking scenery of Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands. The forest offers spectacular views over the Strath of Oykel and lies approximately 6.8 miles to the west of the popular village of Rosehall.

Renowned for its wild and dramatic scenery, the area provides excellent opportunities for fishing and deer stalking. It also benefits from a well-developed road network connecting the east and west coasts of northern Scotland, including the North Coast 500 route. Lairg offers local amenities and accommodation, while the towns of Dornoch, Tain, and the City of Inverness (58 miles to the south) provide further services and facilities.

For directions and to locate the property, please refer to the location and sale plans.

Description 

The forest was established on former hill ground overlooking the River Oykel and forms part of the wider Strathoykel Forest Complex. Planted over four years between 1985 and 1988, the forest comprises a crop of productive Sitka spruce in a self-thinning mix with Lodgepole pine. The soils, predominantly peaty gleys and peaty podzols, are well-suited to commercial forestry, as evidenced by the good growth rates of the conifer crops. Yield classes of the crop are estimated to reach up to 20 in the more fertile areas.

The timber crop is now reaching maturity and parts could be considered for harvesting within the next five years, providing a purchaser with tax-free income or the opportunity to allow further growth to increase the harvestable timber volume. The stocked area extends to 87.60 hectares in total, and the conifer crop has developed to leave dominant stands of Sitka spruce with good sawlog content. A long-term forest plan is in place to cover the next 10 years of felling and restocking, and it is anticipated that the second rotation will benefit from improved growth rates.

The forest’s commercial appeal is enhanced by the picturesque Allt an Ruadh burn, which flows north through the woodland’s open ground. These well-designed areas of open ground not only add aesthetic and amenity value but also offer excellent opportunities for woodland deer stalking with the forest home to Red, Sika, and Roe deer, making it a prime location for this activity.

Please refer to the online Sale Brochure for further information and contact the Selling Agent for more details.