SUPPORTERS of beloved woodland between Helensburgh and Rhu have said they are not in a position to buy it.

Duchess Wood is being sold by Luss Estates for offers over £70,000, the company announced last week.

Ardenconnel Wood in Rhu was also on the market until Friday and a group of residents are trying to raise the funds to take it on.

But the Friends of Duchess Wood said their volunteers are not in a position to buy or manage the much larger Helensburgh site.

The trustees of the group told the Advertiser in a statement that they were "disappointed" to hear Luss Estates was selling the greenbelt land.

They said they would "seek a constructive relationship" with new owners.

READ MORE: Owners of Helensburgh's Duchess Wood put land up for sale

The Friends group previously told the Advertiser that they were not supportive of the sale, but acknowledged the company's intention to dispose of the land.

"We understand that the local community will be concerned that any new owner may seek to develop parts of the Wood," they said.

"Duchess Wood is zoned as greenbelt, and is a Local Nature Reserve, a Local Nature Conservation Site, an Open Space Protection Area and is on the NatureScot inventory of woodlands of Long Established Plantation Origin, so is subject to a high degree of protection from development.

"The trustees of the FODW have considered participating in a purchase of the Wood.

"However, several factors led us to conclude this would not be a realistic course of action.

"We are a small volunteer charity, with no professional woodland management expertise, made up of a largely elderly group of individuals.

"Also, like Luss Estates, we have not identified any significant cash generating opportunities. 

"These would be essential to fund the considerable cost of the day-to-day management and maintenance of the Wood."

For many years, the Friends supported the management of Duchess Wood, with overall responsibility for the site resting with Argyll and Bute Council.

They concluded: "Should any other group wish to pursue a purchase of the Wood we suggest that they make direct contact with Luss Estates and Goldcrest Land and Forestry Agents who are selling the Wood on behalf of Luss Estates."

Luss Estates Company CEO, Simon Miller, said: “FODW (Friends of Duchess Wood) and Luss Estates Company have been in discussion for over a year regarding the future of the woods.

"Both FODW and Luss Estates Company have agreed that a sale of the woods is the best course of action for the ongoing preservation of this green space for the community.”

Disputing Mr Miller’s comments, the Friends said: “Whilst the Friends of Duchess Wood understand Luss Estates Company’s reasons for wishing to sell the woods they have never agreed that this is the best course of action for the ongoing preservation of this green space for the community.”

As well as fund-raising efforts for Ardenconnel Wood, public efforts to take on parts of Helensburgh and Lomond include the town's pier, The Tower, and Princess Louise Hall in Rosneath.