You can find peace, excitement and a sense of wonder in the forests of North Argyll. Walk, run, ride or just stand a while among the trees that thrive in the temperate rainforest climate and clean air. If you're feeling more adventurous, choose one of the demanding trails and discover stunning high views over the remarkable landscape. The secluded forests provide a home to iconic Highland wildlife. If you tread carefully and make little noise, you might catch a glimpse of red squirrels, otters, pine marten and red or roe deer. Scan the skies and you could spot a sea eagle soaring overhead. Forestry Commission Scotland works hard to maintain the forests, preserving their remarkable natural and cultural heritage and ensuring that visitors enjoy their time in North Argyll. Otter Roe Deer Glen Dubh The Forests of North Argyll Explore Enjoy and Discover Please remember that the weather on the hills and mountains can change very quickly. Even in summer, conditions on the tops of mountains are often much colder and windier than at low levels, despite clear skies. Here are some pointers for a safe and enjoyable trip. • Be properly equipped • Plan your route carefully • Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return • Take adequate warm and waterproof clothing • Wear suitable footwear • Carry a map and compass and know how to use them • Take sufficient food and drink • Be prepared to turn back if it gets too hard for you • Keep to the route you intended • In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the police Forestry Commission Scotland’s woods are ‘working forests’ and large volumes of timber are harvested from them every year. Other activities such as road maintenance and deer control also take place from time to time so it is important to follow warning signs or diversions; these are for your own safety. View from Eagle’s Eyrie - Beinn Lora The Trails Overview Map - North Argyll Taking care on the hills What to see Woodland Main Road Minor Roads Railway/Station West Highland Way National Cycle Route Start of Forest Trails Other Car Parks Goldeneye duck Ferns The Forests of North Argyll From the ancient Atlantic oakwoods that fringe the rugged coastline to the tree- cloaked flanks of towering mountains, the forests of North Argyll are inspirational places. It is hard to resist their powerful charm, evoking a wild landscape far removed from the stresses of modern life. The well-maintained trails described in this leaflet are clearly signposted by waymarkers, guiding you to some unforgettable experiences. Forestry Commission Scotland manages these forests to balance the demands of timber production with recreation and conservation. Separate leaflets about the forests of the Isle of Mull and Mid Argyll and Kintyre are also available from the Forestry Commission Scotland district office (see back page for contact details) and visitor information centres. Forestry Commission Scotland West Argyll Forest District, Whitegates, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8RS Tel: 0300 067 6650 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland Explore further: Look out for these other leaflets in the surrounding area 1 2 Designed by: Design & Interpretative Services, Forestry Commission Scotland - D&IS.21Col.5K.July 2018. Photographs: Forestry Commission Picture Library. © Crown Copyright 2018 For information on public transport services contact: Traveline Scotland, 0871 2002233 or www.travelinescotland.com If you need this publication in an alternative format, for example large print, please contact us on: Tel : 0300 067 5000 Email: [email protected] The Forests of the Isle of Mull Look out for this updated leaflet covering lots of exiting trails to discover on the beautiful island of Mull. The Forests of Mid Argyll and Kintyre This leaflet covers some of the fantastic trails around Mid Argyll and down the peninsula The Forests of Mid Argyll and Kintyre Explore Enjoy and Discover The Forests of the Isle of Mull Explore Arran Mull Skye Raasay Contact Fairy Bridge in Glen Creran © Ian McKee Cross the Allt a Mhuilinn gorge and explore an area of restored native woodland. Fantastic views of Beinn Sgulaird and Glen Ure and an opportunity to glimpse the elusive pine marten. Loose and uneven gravel surface, with long firm grassy sections. Some steep slopes. Includes a timber footbridge with a short flight of steps. Glen Creran 1¼ miles / 2.2 km Allow 1 hour Pine Marten Trail 1 Glen Creran You can stroll through peaceful oak, willow and birchwoods that cloak the secluded gorge of Allt a' Mhuilinn, crossing the lively burn on the timber Millennium Bridge. Most of the non-native conifers have been cleared to help the woodland regenerate, which is helping attract wildlife, including the elusive pine marten. Bluebells and ransoms (wild garlic) transform the forest floor in spring. The views are stunning. You can look across to the solitary Beinn Sgulaird, an impressive Munro that dominates the glen. There are also glimpses of beautiful Glen Ure, once home to the government factor Colin Roy Campbell (The Red Fox) whose murder in 1752 inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Kidnapped. Main cover photograph: River Orchy © scottishviewpoint.com Tha dùthchas Cheann-a-Tuath Earra-Ghàidheal drùidhte le còrr agus mìle gu leth bliadhna de chànan agus dualchas nan Gàidheal. The historic landscape of North Argyll is steeped in more than fifteen hundred years of Gaelic language and tradition. Some of the Gaelic names you’ll meet on our forest trails may already be familiar: ‘beinn’, pronounced [byne], mountain; ‘lochan’ [LOCH-an], a little loch; or ‘gleann’ [gl-OWW-n], glen. Others, such as ‘abhainn’ [AV-eh-een], river; ‘allt’ [OW-lt], stream; and ‘ceum’ [kaym], step or path, may be less so. Feeling more adventurous? Try our trail names ‘Ceum Nan Seangan’ [kaym nan Sheng-gun], path of the ants; ‘Trì Drochaidean’ [Tree Dro-heetchun], the three bridges; and ‘An Darach Ruadh’ [un DA-roch ROO-ugh], the red oak. Sea eagle with catch Follow us on 1 Glen Creran Pine Marten Trail 1¼ miles Moderate 2 Sutherland’s Grove Giant Fir Trail ¼ mile Easy Gorge Trail ¾ mile Strenuous Troll Trail 1¾ miles Strenuous 3 Beinn Lora Coastal Climb 1 mile Strenuous Eagle’s Eyrie 2 miles Strenuous 4 Fearnoch Ceum nan Seangan 1¼ miles Moderate Tri Drochaidean 2¼ miles Moderate 5 Glen Nant Riverbank Trail ¼ mile Easy Ant Trail 2 miles Strenuous 6 Strone Hill Waterfall Woods Trail ½ mile Moderate An Darach Ruadh Trail 1 mile Moderate