A scheme to create one of the biggest new woodlands in Europe at an iconic Scottish loch - and protect water supplies for generations to come - has taken a major step forward.

The 10-year Land Management Plan (LMP) for Scottish Water’s Loch Katrine estate, developed in partnership with long-term tenant Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), has been approved by Scottish Forestry - and will see the lands around the loch boost the fight against the climate crisis by locking up more carbon and improving the resilience of the catchment to climate change.

The 8-miles long freshwater loch – which supplies water to 1.3 million people in the Greater Glasgow area and other parts of the Central Belt via infrastructure built largely by Victorian pioneers – is surrounded by 9,500 hectares of land which is occupied and managed by FLS and located in the heart of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park (LLTNP).

Plans for the land at Loch Katrine include the restoration and maintenance of several hundred hectares of peatland across the site, as well as the creation of over 4,600 hectares – the equivalent of more than 6440 football pitches – of native woodland, largely through re-wilding and natural regeneration.

It is anticipated that delivering these actions will see a 40 per cent increase in the status of biodiversity across the site, as well as capturing up to 1 million tonnes of carbon over 60 years.

It is also key in helping to protect the quality and resilience of the water supply at the loch in the face of a changing climate. Restoring natural woodland and encouraging healthy, functioning peatland and moorland will make the landscape more resilient to climate change, helping to stabilise soils, hold more water and slow the runoff from the land.

This results in less organic matter being washed into the loch and on to the water treatment works - a growing issue thanks to more extreme rainfall caused by climate change - and ensures the water can continue to be treated to the high standards customers expect.

Dr Mark Williams, Scottish Water’s Head of Sustainability and Climate Change, said:

“Loch Katrine is a hugely significant site in terms of Scotland’s natural environment, as well as being the basis of an essential service for around a quarter of Scotland’s population.

“It has nationally important peatland, moorland and woodland habitats, which offer many recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike but which are also vitally important in our work to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis.

“The energy needed to provide essential water and waste water services makes Scottish Water one of the largest single users of electricity in the country, and whilst we are working hard to eliminate emissions across the entirety of our assets, we must also ensure that the woodland, peatland and natural habitats across our landholdings are thriving, able to lock up carbon and support our journey to net zero emissions.”

He added: “By taking a whole-catchment approach, this 10-year plan sets out a long-term vision which will help secure the resilience and quality of Loch Katrine as a vital water supply into the 22nd Century while also supporting nature, tourism and the rural economy.”

The plans will help to protect the quality and resilience of the water supply at Loch Katrine.