28

View looking down to Coire Loch Coire to down looking View

and where the wild red deer roam and watch over today’s visitors. today’s over watch and roam deer red wild the where and

100025498 Published 2 008. Published 100025498 N o. Lic ence C ommission. estry For ved reser ts righ A ll t. yrigh cop own Cr © View towards Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin a’ Beinn Loch towards View

1/2mile 0 1/4 360m

where Clan Chisholm ruled until the land was given over to stalking and shooting, shooting, and stalking to over given was land the until ruled Chisholm Clan where

1km 1/2 0 380m 400m

340m one!’ of glimpse

320m

340m 320m

300m 360m

380m Culloden, after hid Charlie Prince Bonnie where is This people. far-off of lives the lights

– you might get a get might you –

have given way to native Scots pine and where the pent-up power of the lochs the of power pent-up the where and pine Scots native to way given have

240m 280m 260m

and red squirrels squirrels red and

300m spruce of plantings where see will You whisky. own their made and waters

with pine martens pine with

260m the fished sheep, and cattle herded woodlands, the harvested have who 10.8km/6.7miles

280m alive are woods ‘The ic W alk: ic Affr er Riv To You will tread in the steps of folk who have lived here over aeons, over here lived have who folk of steps the in tread will You

240m 220m

200m

28 28

h Loc

re re Coi

d For

Riv

er Affr er

ic 200m

Dog Falls Dog

P

220m

240m

260m

280m

To To

Cannich: 7k :

300m

you love the glen so much.’ so glen the love you

320m m/4.4miles

describing what you see when see you what describing

29 28

Map of walks 1,2 and 3 and 1,2 walks of Map

‘It’s easy to get passionate in passionate get to easy ‘It’s

feed Fasnakyle power station. power Fasnakyle feed

Dogs Falls Dogs

noticeable, is the dam holding back the waters that waters the back holding dam the is noticeable, overnight in the damp woodland. damp the in overnight

to allow young trees to grow. Below you, hardly you, Below grow. to trees young allow to Fungi like penny buns and fly agarics appear magically appear agarics fly and buns penny like Fungi and insect-eating sundews. insect-eating and

pinewoods. Grazing animals have been well managed well been have animals Grazing pinewoods. the heather and look for butterworts for look and heather the

greedily waiting for passing insects. passing for waiting greedily

) - and up into the into up and - ) say – hill (middle ben-a-vey-un

Follow the trail as it sweeps through sweeps it as trail the Follow

into a dark pool searching for eels and brown trout brown and eels for searching pool dark a into

let the glen feed your soul, and your cares will fly off with the eagles. the with off fly will cares your and soul, your feed glen the let

- Loch of islands the over Look Beinn a’ Mheadhoin a’ Beinn and dragonflies hover above the boggy margins. boggy the above hover dragonflies and

pouring over the falls; watch for a silent otter slipping otter silent a for watch falls; the over pouring

pinewoods, shimmering lochs, enchanting islands and tumbling burns. Stay longer, Stay burns. tumbling and islands enchanting lochs, shimmering pinewoods,

Little grebes fish in summer among the water lilies water the among summer in fish grebes Little

can reach from the car park at Chisholm Bridge. Chisholm at park car the from reach can Feel the awesome power of the whisky-coloured river whisky-coloured the of power awesome the Feel

Even a fleeting visit to Glen Affric will leave an indelible memory of inviting of memory indelible an leave will Affric Glen to visit fleeting a Even

) and Toll Creagach - (rocky hole) - which you which - hole) (rocky - Creagach Toll and ) honich distance and get a first glimpse of Coire Loch. Coire of glimpse first a get and distance

granny pines hanging with old man’s beard. man’s old with hanging pines granny

- (hill of the moss, say say moss, the of (hill - of Tom a’ Chòinich a’ Tom tome-a- over the crowns of the great pines and the hills in the in hills the and pines great the of crowns the over

take food from your hand below the rowans and rowans the below hand your from food take

fàilte do’n gleann afaraig gleann do’n fàilte

in the view. In the distance are the great ‘’ ‘Munros’ great the are distance the In view. the in lined with blaeberries and mossy boulders. Look out Look boulders. mossy and blaeberries with lined

, cheeky chaffinches will chaffinches cheeky , Along the meandering trail meandering the Along

above Dog Falls car park and drink and park car Falls Dog above affric glen Cib p h path the up Climb shield a carpet of seedlings, and along the steep trail steep the along and seedlings, of carpet a shield

, which , Climb past ancient Scots pine and birch and pine Scots ancient past Climb at certain times of the year the of times certain at

up to the viewpoibt the to up natural features and can be muddy be can and features natural

A steady climb from the bridge the from climb steady A

The Path surface is made up of up made is surface Path The Natural path surface, steep in places in steep surface, path Natural

1.6 km/1 mile. Allow 50 mins 50 Allow mile. km/1 1.6

3.2 km/2 miles. Allow 1 hour 1 Allow miles. km/2 3.2 5.2 km/3.25 mile. Allow 1.5 hours 1.5 Allow mile. km/3.25 5.2

welcome to welcome

Dog Falls Dog Walk Viewpoint Coire Loch Coire 2. 2. 1. 3. 3.

‘Autumn in Glen Affric is breathtaking with its golds 4. River Affric 5. Plodda Falls 6. Tweedmouth Walk and greens and blues.’ 1.6 km/1 mile. Allow 50 mins Contact 1 Forestry Commission 0.6 km/0.4 mile. Allow 15 mins 1.6 km/1 mile. Allow 30 mins Take care on the rocky sections Explore The Forest walks of Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District, A short loop situated alongside the river, which can be slippery when wet 29 A long decent down to the river Enjoy Tower Road, Smithton, Inverness, IV2 7NL Guisach an on a gentle hillside House Tor na Muic and Tel: 01463 791575 River Affric 0.5 km/0.3 mile. Allow 20 mins 260m Wester Lord Tweedmouth bought Glen Affric

E-mail: [email protected] A gradual climb on a short loop Knockfin Discover 240m 120m The first tumbling 220m estate from Clan Chisholm in the mid- Glen Affric Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland torrents you come to 25 25 1800s and built Guisachan House Public enquiry line 0845 FORESTS (367 3787) Take care of your pinewoods! Stand on the rock, which resembles a whale’s back, as National Nature Reserve 200m When you camp; gas stoves are better, quicker and safer the peaty waters surge into the loch. Watch for dippers are just a magnificent among the trees and cottages for his For Ford taster for what’s to To Tomich workers. The house (Giùsachean – say than fires. If you must light a fire, make sure it’s properly searching for larvae below the foaming waters. Make 10km/6.2miles information 180m

sited; put it out when you leave. come! Take care on 140m gi-oosuchun – is gaelic for pine sure you’re wearing proper footwear as the river in spate 160m

on what’s Plodda Cottage 160m the rising path as you 140m Plodda forests) has gone, but you can still see If you’re walking in the hills, take a map, compass, can rage past before settling into deep dark eddies. Lodge available Hilton protective clothing and food. There is no mobile phone pass the rocks covered Lodge the magnificent larch, which are a from Forestry 120m Ford When the wind changes direction, you may see Hilton reception in the glen. in mosses and ferns. Cottage legacy for us all to enjoy today. Commission a heron, with his unmistakable lazy wingbeat, heading Scotland in The weather can change very quickly; always In this mix of native Ford Much of the estate was used for carry warm, wet-weather gear and wear for quieter fishing grounds. In winter, whooper swans the rest of woodland, Victorian shooting, but Lord Tweedmouth the West strong footwear even on low-level walks. hold icy vigils on the lochs. planting and planted many exotic trees including Highlands The car park half way down Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin is commercial forest, 24 24 towering and Trail Grades good for picnicking and wildlife watching. Or walk down 140m surrounding look out for cross-bills redwoods Forestry Commission Scotland trails and walks are the road a little and up the path alongside the ‘burn of area and crested tits high Plodda Falls Allt and majestic na B graded according to the degree of difficulty, gradients Torr a' Ghobail oda the flitting’, Allt na h-Imrich. It’s quite steep but you get cha please n

and type of conditions visitors can expect. in the branches and P Douglas firs, memorable views from the moorland. 180m contact secretive roe deer three of Deabhag Easy Moderate Strenuous nn 2 Forestry Commission Scotland, Lochaber Forest District among the trees. Abhai Sensible Waterproof Hillwalking To Cougie which Tel: 01397 702184 footwear footwear boots 5km/3.1miles [email protected] 180m replaced the The glory of the 200m Easy Moderate Strenuous original 3 Forestry Commission Scotland, North Forest District Muscle Muscle Muscle Plodda Falls will Tel: 01408 634063 Loosener Stretcher Builder amaze you as 220m masts on [email protected] the burn Captain 240m Scott‘s RRS If you need this publication in an cascades 23 23 260m Coille Mhor Discovery, alternative format, for example, in vertically with an 280m Affric Forest now berthed large print or in another language, awesome roar. And all around in Dundee. please contact: 300m are soaring trees The Diversity Team Tweedmouth Walk including three 320m Tel: 0131 314 6575 great firs planted 320m E-mail: [email protected] Plodda Falls 340m ’These Douglas firs are real cathedral

Designed by: Design & Interpretative Services,& Interpretative Design by: Designed ForestryD&IS-5K-JTCP-09.09 Scotland. Commission McIntyre. & Neil Allan Pollok-Morris Forestry by: Photography Library, Picture Commission QuiteWrite. Glen, Hamish by: Michael written Text by Lord 29 0 1/2 1km trees that inspire and captivate For information on public transport services contact: Gladstone in 360m 01/4 1/2mile everyone who walks beneath them.’ Traveline Scotland, 0871 2002233 or the 1880s. © Crow n copyright. All rights reserved Forestry Commission. Licence No. 100025498 Publish ed 2008. www.travelinescotland.com

© Crown Copyright 2009 ‘Everywhere is special in its own way, but Glen Affric is more special than most!’ ‘One colour dominates – the reddish-pink of the Scots Eagles soaring over Glen Affric for eight thousand The Forestry Commission bought much of the estate He ensured that deer were culled to reduce damage pine trunks, the fox, the deer, years have seen the pinewoods suffer a wet period in 1951 and the early foresters fenced off important to young trees and the seeds of a when swamped trees formed peat and then return to remnants of native pine forest, the first steps in a major Reserve were literally sown. Today, because the woods the squirrel, the pine marten healthy growth, only to be cut down for timber and regeneration project. They were led by Findlay MacRae, are actively conserved, wildlife is abundant and the and the chests of bullfinches.’ glen affric fuel. The land was overgrazed by the big sheep that then head forester whose dedication and custodianship forest is now a National Nature Reserve. gleann afaraig replaced tenants and used by Victorian sportsmen. set the pattern for today’s foresters. Key to the map Main Road Car Park ‘the glen of the dappled woodlands’ Forestry Commission Land Secondary Road WC Toilet Minor Road Information/Visitor Centre Forestry Commission Woodland Road/Track Forest Walk Other Woodland NNR Boundary Picnic Place

1 Walk Route Location Numbers Forest Trail Viewpoint

S tag and pine above Beinn a’ Mheadhoin

‘The wooded islands in the loch come straight out of a fairy tale’ The glen of countless colours Gleann nan dathan dò-aireamhan Examine the ancient rocks where volcanic fire painted streaks of different colours. Look for brown bracket fungus on trees, golden chanterelle mushrooms, red fly agaric with its white spots and grey-green old man’s beard hanging from branches.

The glen of Come and see hazy bluebells and marsh violets, bright yellow bog asphodel, pimpernel, tomentil and anemone, pale yellow a thousand whispers primrose, pinky-white wood sorrel and dark-spotted orchids. Gleann nan mile cogaran Then there are black crowberries, red cowberries, blueberries, orange rowan berries and red wild raspberries. The hues and You’ll hear the rustle of leaves on birch and aspen, and the murmur of tints of Glen Affric are amazing. wind through pine needles. You might catch the bark of a roe deer or the chatter of crossbills as they split open pine cones for their seeds. You can’t ‘Ghost-like Woodcock in search of worms fly darkly miss the mewing of a buzzard, the call of a sandpiper searching for a against the long grey shadows cast by Autumn moons.’ missing chick, the songs of warblers or the curious clicking of a stonechat.

There is always a whirr of summer insects and the tinkling of burns. Looking towards Loch Affric Scotland’s National Nature Reserves Thundering waterfalls will bring shivers of excitement and the honking Scotland has more than 50 National Nature Reserves. In 2002, Scottish Natural of greylag geese will remind you of long journeys to come. Heritage declared Glen Affric as an NNR because its precious native woodlands At dusk, you might hear the yelp of a fox or the are home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals. Discover more about haunting cry of an owl. Scotland’s national treasures by visiting www.nnr-scotland.org.uk ‘When you stand still, silent and patient, the glen is alive View towards Athnamulloch bothy with fascinating sounds.’ The glen of alluring aromas Gleann nan boltrachan tàladhan

You'll never forget the fresh fragrance of the juniper and the bog myrtle. Many woodland plants were used for herbal remedies by people who lived close to the land.

The glen adds to our larder from the lean meat of venison and the seasonal pleasure of chanterelles to the many different berries ‘In the clean air, you can smell the glen – and fruits. Blackbirds fly from Norway for the rowan berries! the resin of pine, the perfume of bog myrtle, the hints of deer and musky traces of fox in early morning.’ Bringing back the pines For thousands of years, people cut the Caledonian Pinewoods for timber and cleared them for grazing land. Only remnants survived across the Highlands. The regeneration and conservation of the

--This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey native woodland in Glen Affric and elsewhere is a successful and material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on rewarding endeavour that is returning great swathes of the noble behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction 01 2 3 4 5 kilometres Scots pine to the landscape and providing new habitats for wildlife. ‘You can see why this place is called the speckled infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Forestry Commission. Licence No. 0 1 2 3 miles glen – the sun constantly lights up different scenes’. 100025498. Published 2008.