Li and Coire Dhorrcail Knoydart
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JOHN CLEARE PHOTOGRAPH: PHOTOGRAPH: Knoydart was traditionally referred to as the ‘rough bounds’ because of its wild terrain and remoteness. INTRODUCING LI AND COIRE DHORRCAIL A piece of beautiful, dramatic and wild land on the remote Knoydart peninsula The John Muir Trust looks after 3,101 acres of land on the north-eastern slopes of Ladhar Bheinn on the Knoydart peninsula. Traditionally referred to as the ‘rough bounds’ because of its wild terrain and remoteness, it forms part of the Knoydart National Scenic Area. It’s one of the most isolated of the Trust’s properties, offering the feeling of a truly wild place. In 1983, threats by the Ministry of Defence to buy Knoydart for use as a bombing range prompted the founding of the Trust, which campaigned to save the area from military use. In 1987, the Trust bought Li and Coire Dhorrcail (Torquill’s Corrie) with the aim of conserving this special wild landscape. People have lived on the Knoydart peninsula for a long time although its earliest history remains obscure. Its name originates from the Vikings who settled and ruled here. By the mid-18th century, most people lived on the coastal fringe making a living from fishing, rearing cattle, and farming potatoes, oats and barley. LESTER STANDEN The mid-19th century population clearances changed Knoydart. Between 1841 and 1851, Muineil and Inbhir Dhorrcail were cleared to make way for sheep farming, which was well established across Knoydart at the time of the infamous clearance in 1853. In 1795, the PHOTOGRAPH: PHOTOGRAPH: population of the whole peninsula was estimated at 1,000. It fell steadily from then until 1990 and today stands at about 70. A guide to KNOYDART: A WILD PLACE • Knoydart is home to otters, golden eagle and ptarmigan, and seabirds such as oystercatchers and ringed plover. Li and Coire Dhorrcail • Ladhar Bheinn is the highest mountain on Knoydart and means ‘hoofed mountain’ in Gaelic. • The rich diversity of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) found here Knoydart represents nearly a third of the total species found in Britain. • The landcape here shows the effects of glaciation, which carved the (Lì agus Coire Dhorrcail) deep trenches of Lochs Hourn and Nevis. In the later Ice Age, smaller glaciers scoured out corries such as the classic Coire Dhorrcail. • The Knoydart peninsula lies between the Moine thrust and the Sgurr A John Muir Trust property Beag slide and is composed almost entirely of metamorphic rocks, predominantly psammitic (metamorphosed sandstone) and pelitic www.johnmuirtrust.org (metamorphosed clay and mud). Access to the Trust’s land at Knoydart is by boat or a nine-mile walk along a footpath and rough ground. EXPLORING LI AND COIRE DHORRCAIL Access to Li and Coire Dhorrcail from the east is along a well-constructed path that runs from Kinlochhourn to Barrisdale. From here you can follow the coast, or alternatively a stalkers’ path that leads into lower Coire Dhorrcail. It is 12km Kyle of Lochalsh (7.5 miles) from Kinlochhourn to the Skye A87 In east of the property. Broadford Shiel A87 Bridge A887 Alternatively, a boat can be taken from A851 Armadale A87 A Invergarry Mallaig to Inverie. From here a 10km Mallaig (6 miles) walk over Mam Li leads onto Eigg Loch Morar A82 A830 Fort the property, with breathtaking views Glenfinnan William Spean of Beinn Sgritheall above Arnisdale. A861 Bridge A82 There is no regular boat service on the Kilchoan Corran A861 north of the peninsula. A884 0 10 20 miles Port Appin0 10 20 30 km The map on this leaflet is for illustrative ermory Lochaline Ballachulish G A8 82 8 A purposes only and is not intended for navigation. MANAGING THE LAND our properties: We’re encouraging the regeneration of native woodland and 1 SANDWOOD 2 QUINAG a return of wildlife 3 SCONSER, STRATHAIRD AND TORRIN ON SKYE Knoydart is a beautiful and dramatic landscape in one of the most remote parts of 4 LI AND COIRE DHORRCAIL, Scotland. However, much of the land has been devastated through centuries of over- KNOYDART grazing by sheep and deer. The John Muir Trust is working to improve natural habitats 5 BEN NEVIS and biodiversity on its land. 6 EAST SCHIEHALLION 7 GLENLUDE Native woodland covered less than three per cent of Li and Coire Dhorrcail when we purchased it in 1987. Due to the lack of seed source, we originally had to plant native tree species. Now we’re starting to see natural regeneration of birch, hazel and Scots pine, wild land among others, which is hugely rewarding. This is helped by controlling deer numbers. quality index Deer are an essential part of the ecosystem but high populations of deer have a negative TOP 10% impact on habitats through overgrazing and trampling. WILDEST LAND With the return of trees comes all life associated with woodland. We’re already seeing the HIGH return of native insects, birds and mammals that have been missing for centuries. Outwith the LOW woodland, Knoydart is also notable for a wide range of species in its wet heaths, grasslands and snow beds. The rich diversity of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) found here represents nearly a third of total species found in Britain. Nearly all the native tree planting and follow up work (weeding, fence maintenance, and so on) has been carried out with the help of John Muir Trust volunteers. Volunteer work parties also help to maintain the footpath into Li and Coire Dhorchaill from Barisdale. Without volunteers the Trust couldn’t carry out its valuable work on the land. all that the John Muir Trust volunteers help with maintaining sun shines on paths and fences, among other tasks. is beautiful, so long as it is wild. john muir, 1869 JOHN MUIR TRUST PROPERTIES Protecting and enhancing our wild land for generations to come The John Muir Trust is the leading wild land conservation charity in the UK. We love wild places and are dedicated to protecting and improving them for people and wildlife. Over 10,000 members support us in our work. THIS LEAFLET IS PRINTED ON REVIVE 100 UNCOATED WHICH If you care about the natural world, IS AN FSC CERTIFIED RECYCLED GRADE PAPER, CONTAINING 100% POST CONSUMER WASTE AND MANUFACTURED AT A please join us MILL ACCREDITED WITH ISO 14001 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STANDARD www.johnmuirtrust.org The John Muir Trust is a Scottish [email protected] charitable company limited by guarantee (Charity No SC002061 Company No SC81620). CHRIS GOODMAN 01796 470080 Registered office: Tower House, Station Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5AN © John Muir Trust 2012 PHOTOGRAPH: PHOTOGRAPH:.