People invited to have say on Britain’s first national nature reserve

Managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) visitors to 4000-hectare reserve have the chance to see golden eagle, red deer, white-tailed eagle, and black-throated divers.

The Beinn Eighe and Loch Maree National Nature Reserve Management Proposals cover 2015 to 2026.

And visitors and locals are being urged to see the reserve plans at a drop-in session at Kinlochewe Village Hall on Thursday 19 March 2015 between 3 and 8pm.

Among the proposals to connect people with nature is promoting the refurbished Beinn Eighe visitor centre as a key visitor destination to complement other attractions in Wester Ross.

The reserve will also offer a programme of guided walks and an open day, and SNH staff will run a programme for volunteers.

It is also hoped to support annual visits from local schools and tertiary colleges and continue support for rural skills students and expand this to provide opportunities for work experience.

Eoghain Maclean, the Beinn Eighe reserve manager, said: “The drop-in event at Kinlochewe will give people to view our proposals, make suggestions, talk to our staff, and feedback comments to us.

“We are committed through this consultation to listening to peoples’ views on these management proposals. These cover management objectives over 2015-2026 and are themed ‘management for natural heritage’ and ‘management for people.’”

The consultation period runs from 16 February to 30 March.