THE BLACK HILLS REGENERATION COMMUNITY CONSULTATION – PART 1

The Black Hills Regeneration project offers the opportunity to make changes in how we manage a sizeable area of land (3000ha) to achieve a wide range of benefits including nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises.

The proposal is to link up the existing deer fences between Inverie and Inverguiserein with 2 or 3 short bits of new fence. This would enable deer in the Black Hills area to be managed separately from the wider peninsula and opens up the potential for a step change in how the land is managed.

Dialogue with landowners in the proposed area has begun and we are now asking for questions and suggestions from the community to inform the next stage of the consultation and feasibility work. A community meeting will be hosted in early November to provide more detailed information, answer questions and issues raised and to gather the views of the community.

BACKGROUND

The climate and biodiversity crises are a reality and pose a serious risk to Knoydart, Scotland and the World. On Knoydart our experience to date is relatively mild – changes in the weather and seasons, however in other parts of the world the effects are already severe with floods and raging wildfires – everyday in the news we see the effects that this is having on people, wildlife, plants and landscapes. It can feel overwhelming.

It is commonly agreed that the world can stop the situations getting a lot worse if global emissions of greenhouse gases are reduced and Scotland has a goal to reach net-zero by 2045. In tandem with reducing emissions, major changes to how our land and seas are used are needed to lock up carbon and restore biodiversity. Although Knoydart is a tiny corner of the World, as a community we are in the privileged position of being able to take action on a landscape scale that will make a real difference.

PROPOSAL

The proposal is to link up the existing deer fences between Inverie and Inverguiserein with 2 or 3 short bits of new fence. This would enable deer in the Black Hills area (everything west of the Inverguiserein Track) to be managed separately from the wider peninsula.

OUTCOMES

The reduction in the impact of deer on the land would result in a cascade of positive changes:

  • Regeneration of a full range of habitats from sea level to the mountain tops
  • Potential for re-establishment of rare and missing native species such as Black grouse
  • Native woodland planting without extra fencing
  • Natural regeneration of lots of small areas of woodland within a more open landscape
  • Peatland restoration
  • Regeneration of montane habitats and a natural upper tree line
  • Maintenance of old field systems, other open ground habitats and iconic views with controlled grazing by livestock
  • Old fences to be taken down sooner
  • Opportunities for different land use options
  • Expanding opportunities for employment and sustainable living within the community

This would result in a wide range of benefits including carbon storage, increased biodiversity, enhanced landscape and supporting livelihoods and the local economy.