The woodland of the historic Aberdeenshire market town of Huntly has seen the return of a centuries’ old practise in an effort to protect its woodlands.
Horse logging was once an integral method of woodland management but it has all but died out in modern day Scotland.
The Lenihan family has however decided to embrace the traditional method through their company Ecological Logging.
They have brought horse logging back to Huntly in an effort to improve the condition of Battlehill Wood.
The horses remove felled timber in a more eco-friendly fashion than modern machinery, which can disturb wildlife and damage surrounding trees.
As horses work to clear spruce trees in Battlehill Wood, paths will remain open for the public to witness the work and to allow wildlife to thrive.
Huntly schools and residents have this week been invited to see the hardworking steeds in action, with a series of demonstrations carried out.
Aberdeenshire’s Council’s Marr area committee chair Moira Ingleby said: “Forestry Commission Scotland grant funding has been essential in taking this project forward.
“It will allow us to make great improvements to this wood.”
Horse logging is particularly useful in smaller, wildlife rich community woodlands, as horses can traverse areas of the woodland that modern vehicles cannot work as well in.
The vice chair of Aberdeenshire’s Council’s Marr area committee, John Latham added: “Battlehill Wood was established by men and boys working with horses so it’s good to see a family run business working with horses return to this wood to help secure it’s future use and enjoyment for Huntly folk.”
