Guide Map to the Forests of North Argyll

Choose a trail...

1 Glen Creran What to see... Pine Marten Trail 1¼ miles - Moderate

You can find peace, excitement and a sense of 2 Sutherland’s Grove wonder in the forests of North Argyll. Walk, run, ride or just stand still among the trees that thrive Giant Fir Trail ¼ mile - Easy in the temperate rainforest climate and clean air. Gorge Trail ¾ mile - Strenuous Welcome to the forests of If you’re feeling more adventurous, choose one of 1 Troll Trail 1¾ miles - Strenuous the demanding trails and discoverWoodland stunning high views amongst this remarkable landscape. North Argyll Main road 3 Beinn Lora The secluded forests provideMi a norhome Road to iconic Coastal Climb 1 mile - Strenuous Highland wildlife. If you tread carefully and Eagle’s Eyrie 2 miles - Strenuous From the ancient Atlantic oakwoods make little noise, you might catchRailway/Statio a glimpse ofn 2 that fringe the rugged coastline to red squirrels, otters, pine martenWest Highlandand red or Way the tree-cloaked flanks of towering roe deer. Scan the skies and you could spot a sea 4 Fearnoch oodland mountains, the forests of North Argyll are eagle soaring overhead. National cycle route inspirational places. It is hard to resist 3 Main road Ant Hill Trail 2¼ miles - Moderate Start of forest trails Minor road their powerful charm, evoking a wild Forestry and Land Scotland works hard to landscape far removed from the stresses ailway/Station 5 Glen Nant maintain the forests, preservingOther their forest remarkable walk areas ational Cycle etwor of modern life. natural and cultural heritage and ensuring that 1 Start o Forest Trails Riverbank Trail ¼ mile - Easy visitors enjoy their time in North Argyll. The well-maintained trails described in this leaflet Ant Trail 2 miles - Strenuous est ighland ay are clearly signposted by waymarkers, guiding 4 Red Sq ther car pars uir you to some unforgettable experiences. Forestry re l © P e 6 Strone Hill te and Land Scotland manage these forests to C a ir n s, 2 balance the demands of timber production with 0 5 : 2 0 River Lochy Falls Trail 1½ mile - Moderate

i s recreation and conservation. i o n 6

Separate leaflets covering of the Isle of Mull and Mid Argyll and Kintyre are also available from the Forestry and Land Scotland district office and visitor information centres.

Take care on the hills For more information 1 Glen Creran Please remember that the weather on the You can stroll through peaceful oak, hills can change very quickly. Even in summer, Tel: 0300 067 6650 willow and birch woods that cloak conditions on the tops of hills are often much E-mail: [email protected] the secluded gorge of Allt a’Mhuilinn, colder and windier than at low levels, despite crossing the lively burn on the timber clear skies. Millennium Bridge. The forests of

Most of the non-native conifers have been Pine Marten Trail Here are some pointers for a safe and cleared to help the woodland regenerate, which enjoyable trip: North Argyll is helping attract wildlife, including the elusive Cross the Allt a Mhuilinn gorge and explore an Tha dùthchas Cheann-a-Tuath Earra- pine marten. Bluebells and ransoms (wild garlic) area of restored native woodland. Fantastic views • Be properly equipped Ghàidheal drùidhte le còrr agus mìle transform the forest floor in spring. of Beinn Sgulaird and Glen Ure and an opportunity • Plan your route carefully and stick to it gu leth bliadhna de chànan agus to glimpse the elusive pine marten. dualchas nan Gàidheal. The views are stunning. You can look across • Tell someone where you are going and when

to the solitary Beinn Sgulaird, an impressive Argyll Loose and uneven gravel 1¼ miles you expect to return Munro that dominates the glen. There are also surface, with long firm / 2.2 km glimpses of beautiful Glen Ure, once home to • Take adequate warm and waterproof clothing

For information on public transport services contact: contact: services transport public on information For the government factor Colin Roy Campbell (The • Wear suitable footwear

forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/isleofmull 1 hour n : Visit Scotland Scotland Visit : n

unca steep slopes. Includes a

Tobermory © John D John © Tobermory

Find out more: out Find Argyll is steeped in more than fifteen

4.8km - Strenuous - 4.8km Scallastle River Trail Trail River Scallastle

Scallastle

5 Red Fox) whose murder in 1752 inspired Robert

tìr, sna speuran no a-muigh aig muir. aig a-muigh no speuran sna tìr,

Text writt Text

Vis

6.5km - Strenuous - 6.5km

i air fhaicinn beathaichean air chothroman mòran to

r P r 0 Vi 2.3km - Moderate - 2.3km timber footbridge with :2 si Coastal Trail Coastal

bheatha fhaicinn. Bheiridh coilltean Muile dhut dhut Muile coilltean Bheiridh fhaicinn. bheatha o

l 0 • Take sufficient food and drink e

anni 2 n

n by by n Scotland Visit r,

Paul Tomkins Paul ng na h-àitean as fheàrr ann am Breatainn son fiadh- son Breatainn am ann fheàrr as h-àitean na ©

Fishnish Loop Loop Fishnish e

o o

, Forest , k

Sco Tobermory a

t-saoghail. Tha thu cuideachd a’ tadhal air fear dhe dhe fear air tadhal a’ cuideachd thu Tha t-saoghail. hundred years of Gaelic language t tt

Garmony & Fishnish & Garmony i

. P .

ry 4 timcheall air, le geòlas a tha ainmeil air feadh an an feadh air ainmeil tha a geòlas le air, timcheall

our other leaflets. other our hot h a

L Moderate - 1.4km iongantaich seo. Tha Eilean Muile, agus an sgìre sgìre an agus Muile, Eilean Tha seo. iongantaich

Discover more with with more Discover r and Scot and

ap Louis Stevenson’s novel Kidnapped. W

Cill an Ailein Trail Trail Ailein an Cill y

l a r

n cruth- às fhaighinn tlachd agus rannsachadh

restr

. Woodchips from from Woodchips . a short flight of steps. r

of the the of Island Bakery! Island

2 Frisa Loch & Aros Glen

0 Muile le iomadh cothrom mìorbhaileach air air mìorbhaileach cothrom iomadh le Muile

y 3

Usemedia. social #FoundMyForeston them K/ on your

a e

nd lochs. the on divers J

TC oven the heat and Mull on used are forests our

L coilltean Tha riut. seo t-eilean an Còrdaibh T 4.7km - Strenuous - 4.7km

pictures and videos, and we’ll share share we’ll and videos, and pictures P/March and Scot and

tops of the conifers and scan for black-throated black-throated for scan and conifers the of tops • Carry a map/compass - know how to use them!

sustainable supply of timber of supply sustainable

Coastal Trail Coastal on your your on #FoundMyForest Use 1.7km - Moderate - 1.7km Eilean làn beatha làn Eilean

the moorland, listen for crossbills calling in the the in calling crossbills for listen moorland, the and tradition.

a for forests the manage also We trees.

l Strenuous - 1.4km

and encouraging more broadleaf broadleaf more encouraging and

n Trail Lochan

2 d d

0 over gliding harriers hen for Watch for. out

/ woodland

nl n Edi e Trail Waterfalls

ss look to birds other of plenty are there - Mull on

otherw on 1 on of the forests on Mull. We are restoring restoring are We Mull. on forests the of

native native e

Alainn View (Look-out Tower) Tower) (Look-out View Alainn

information and bookings (booking is essential). essential). is (booking bookings and information

highly recommended. But it’s not just eagles eagles just not it’s But recommended. highly t .

Forestry and Land Scotland looks after many many after looks Scotland Land and Forestry

pictures se and videos, and we’ll share r

views, so please call 01680 812556 for current current for 812556 01680 call please so views, here. A visit to the Mull Eagle Watch project is is project Watch Eagle Mull the to visit A here. and the the and majestic golden eagles eagles golden majestic

s Park Aros

tat

2 a

e Trees from Chips depending on which eagles’ nest offers the best best the offers nest eagles’ which on depending

d. eagles tailed

7.4km - Strenuous - 7.4km

Mull Eagle Watch can change location location change can Watch Eagle Mull good chance of seeing both the huge huge the both seeing of chance good white-

Shore Trail Trail Shore M

ancient volcanic eruptions. volcanic ancient . You’ve got a really really a got You’ve . as known is Mull

Eagle Island Eagle • Turn back if it gets too hard for you

September and last around 2 hours. 2 around last and September

Ardmore & Quinish & Ardmore e

made from layers of of layers from made basalt lava, left by by left lava, basalt

The guided visits usually run from April to to April from run usually visits guided The

Eyes to the Skies the to Eyes n

else in the world. Much of Mull is is Mull of Much world. the in else i

them on socialeagles. white-tailed magnificent Mull’s see media. and some are found nowhere nowhere found are some and years old years

P and knowledgeable local guides lead visits to to visits lead guides local knowledgeable and

Some of the rocks here are are here rocks the of Some 2000 million million 2000

protection and viewing partnership. Friendly Friendly partnership. viewing and protection

fascinating and and fascinating world-famous geology. geology. world-famous

Mull Eagle Watch is an award-winning wildlife wildlife award-winning an is Watch Eagle Mull m

m Mull and the surrounding area has has area surrounding the and Mull

e wildlife watching. wildlife

Mull Rocks Mull

s Mull Eagle Watch Eagle Mull o Trail at Ardmore offer good opportunities for for opportunities good offer Ardmore at Trail

i t 5

s a i r d V

0 2 2 : 0

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: sea. The Coastal Trail here, and the Shore Shore the and here, Trail Coastal The sea.

Tel: 0300 067 6650 067 0300 Tel:

particularly good places to sit and watch the the watch and sit to places good particularly

amazing island. amazing Our car parks at Fishnish and Garmony are are Garmony and Fishnish at parks car Our

culture, history and wildlife of this this of wildlife and history culture,

a variety of dolphins can often be spotted. spotted. be often can dolphins of variety a For more information more For

to explore and enjoy the landscape, landscape, the enjoy and explore to 3 whales, harbour porpoise, basking sharks and and sharks basking porpoise, harbour whales,

of Mull offer a fantastic opportunity opportunity fantastic a offer Mull of patrol near to shore whilst further out minke minke out further whilst shore to near patrol

You’re going to like it here. The forests forests The here. it like to going You’re

wildlife. wildlife.

4 seals grey and seals common Otters,

Fishnish and Garmony marine for watch to place fantastic a is Mull Some of the Gaelic names you’ll meet on

c h

O Mull of

n Scan the Seas the Scan

Fishnish is the perfect stop for a break e n

istock

gle © gle

iled sea e sea iled P

e ta e

are a

u Whit

arriving or leaving 1 o

m Island the

Garmony is a great place to admire the view, n s

s i

have a picnic or explore on the the sea shore. S c

if you t l

Lochaline ferry n d near Quinish are great places to start. to places great are Quinish near

Welcome to to Welcome our forest trails may already be familiar:

Watch out for wildlife at both sites Our wildlife hides at hides wildlife Our . Torr Loch at and Fishnish

always something to see here. Birds like Destinations Overview Destinations here; it’s why we are are we why it’s here;

gannets, oyster catchers and terns 5 regulars! Springwatch Scallastle thrive species iconic most Scotland’s wildlife. see

obvious but Discover – there is more with You’ve come to one of the best places in Britain to to Britain in places best the of one to come You’ve In emergencies call 999 and ask for the also be spottedotters, if you’re seals lucky. and porpoise Less than half a mile from Craignure,

are most Don’t miss the new Scallastle offers a taste of the wilder side of Isle Wild ‘beinn’, pronounced [byne], mountain ‘lochan’ Call in to see what’s around and find out can Mull. We are restoring about recent wildlifewildlife sightings. hide You at canFishnish. also in this area: the birch and oak trees are discover a bit moreour about the wonderful other leaflets.particularly good for wildlifenative. If woodland you are lucky police. When connected provide: Fishnish Loop wildlife of Mull, or just sit and enjoy the views. enough to have rain during your visit, the A short leg stretch through Fishnish Forest river can be while you are waiting for the ferry. Listen out for spectacular. [LOCH-an], a little loch; or ‘gleann’ [gl-OWW- the noisy chirping of crossbills as they feed in the canopy. Scallastle River Trail Mostly firm gravel Follow the gentler trail to the tumbling Scallastle surface, with a section River, or complete the steep loop up to a great of uneven grass and viewpoint looking across to the rugged peak of a) location of the incident Dun da Gaoithe. n], glen. Others, such as ‘abhainn’ [AV-eh- earth path. Some 1½ miles The forests of the parts may be muddy. / 2.3 km Long steep slopes. Wide, Moderate slopes with Allow uneven gravel and grassy some short steeper ¾ hours surface. Includes rough Isle of Mull sections. and loose rocky section 3 miles / and areas that may be b) number of people in the party 4.8 km muddy. Two bridges. een], river; ‘allt’ [OW-lt], stream; and ‘ceum’ Allow 2 hours Coastal Trail

Follow the low rocky shore of the Sound of Mull between Fishnish and Garmony. Great views of c) any injuries (if there are, ask the police the Morvern peninsula and an opportunity to see [kaym], step or path, may be less so. oyster catchers on the rocks.

Argyll Uneven grassy and gravel surface, with some rough rocky and earthy sections. to inform an ambulance) Some short s 4 miles Includ teep slopes. / 6.5 km es na of boa rrow sec Allow rdwalk and sevetions muddy areas. 2 hours ral Designed by Design & Visitor Planning, Forestry and Land Scotland-2K/JTCP/March 2020/Edition 1. 1. 2020/Edition Scotland-2K/JTCP/March Land and Forestry Planning, & Visitor Design by Designed stated. otherwise unless Land Scotland and © Forestry Photography Jo Scott. by written Text

Feeling more adventurous? Find out more: forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/northargyll Try our trail names ‘The Ant hill trail’ at Fearnoch.

A short pull up the steep craggy hillside above Benderloch yields some great sea views across Tralee Bay and the Lynn of Lorn. 2 Wide, firm but uneven 1 mile / Sutherland’s GroveKeyed as: 3 gravel and earth surface. 1.8 km Beinn Lora Long steep slopes with Allow some loose sections. ¾ hour Marvel at the mighty fir trees of The challenging climb through the Sutherland’s Grove, the oldestNon of FC which Campsit e varied woods at the foot of Beinn Lora is were planted in 1870, with Nonmore FC added Caravan in Site richly rewarded. The truly panoramic 1921 to commemorate Lord John Donald views are among the most memorable Eagle’s Eyrie Trail Sutherland, one of the founders of the in Argyll. From the Eagle’s Eyrie you can Forestry Commission. look over Benderloch to the Morvern Feel on top of the world at the breath-taking Peninsula, Mull and Lismore. Some tower 53 metres (174 feet) high. As bird’s eye viewpoint on this steep but spectacular you push deeper into this vast forest, you will On clear days you can see towards Mull, trail on the slopes of Beinn Lora. find more ancient oaks and Scots pines. The Lismore and Kerrera, the isles west of Oban. Long steep slopes for 500m. 2 miles trails follow the gorge of the Abhainn Teithil Beyond the forest gate, the route to the Wide, firm gravel and stone / 3.3 km burn, whose curiously-sculpted rocks create summit of Beinn Lora is across open ground surface with some uneven Allow entrancing waterfalls. and often boggy but well worth the effort. and loose sections. 1½ hours

Giant Fir Trail Gorge Trail Troll Trail Forestry and Land Scotland Parking Land Woodland Woodland Parking (easy access) A lovely shady meander through soaring A lovely short loop that takes in a number of the Explore the woods a bit further and meet the troll Main road Other Woodland Douglas firs and beside the burn – be sure to forest’s highlights. You follow the river up to the who lives beside the footbridge above the gorge. Minor road bring a picnic. In summer, the forest is carpeted dramatic gorge, before returning through mixed This trail is a great place to spot red squirrels too. Main road Viewpoint Railway/Station Secondary road with beautiful wildflowers. woodland. National Cycle Network Varied with some fairly 1¾ miles / Minor Road Picnic area Start of Forest Trails A wide, firm surface. ¼ mile / A varied route with, ¾ mile / steep, rough and rocky 3.0 km Forest road Generally flat with 0.3 km some steep, rough and 1.3 km sections. Can be narrow Allow Path Non FLS Campsite West Highland Way short gentle gradients. Allow rocky sections. Can Allow in places. Often wet 1¼ hours Road/Track Other car parks be narrow in places. ¾ hour and muddy after rain. National Nature Non FLS Caravan site ¼ hour Reserve Boundary Often wet and muddy One bridge with a steep narrow flight of steps. Forest trails after rain. (colour waymarked) Please note: Any symbols that appear black indicate they are not Forestry National Cycle Network and Land Scotland facilities.

4 Fearnoch 5 Glen Nant 6 Strone Hill Ant Trail

The woodlands here are alive with These tranquil oakwoods provide a Follow the winding path for a richly varied trail Stop off at this natural resting place, wildlife as the trails pass through the sanctuary for a unique array of brightly- through atmospheric old oakwoods and thriving where for centuries cattle drovers and other towering trees that flourish around the coloured lichens, once used new woodland, rich in history and wildlife. travellers along Glen Orchy have paused for River Luachragan. to dye villagers’ clothing. a moment. Narrow gravel paths The trees themselves were harvested to fuel 2 miles / The high riverside trail passes through oak, birch Look out for red squirrels leaping through the with uneven sections. nearby Bonawe iron furnace. An area the size 3.3 km and rowan woodland that provides brilliant forest canopy. You will certainly encounter Long steep slopes and of 60 football pitches was felled every year to Allow colour in spring and autumn and welcome shade the great, domed nests of the Scottish wood several sets of rough produce iron for industry and warfare. Look 1½ hours for summer picnics. The riverbank route has ant amid the trees. Constructed from pine steps. Some exposed for raised platforms that were once charcoal- viewpoints over the riverside waterfalls, which are needles, these can tower 1.5 metres (5 feet) tree roots and burning hearths. particularly dramatic when the river is in spate. high and shelter networks of tunnels and potentially wet sections. chambers, each one home to up to 100,000 Includes narrow bridges. ants. The insects work tirelessly to keep the mounds in order, even ensuring individual Riverbank Trail River Lochy Falls Trail needles lie in the right direction. A gentle stroll through the coppiced hazel This winding trail follows the River Lochy down woods to a quiet picnic area by the River Nant. through some beautiful native oak woodland. Ant Hill Trail Firm but uneven gravel 1½ mile Firm gravel surface ¼ mile / path throughout. / 2.6 km throughout, but Tranquil Fearnoch Forest is home to the 0.4 km Includes steep slopes Allow includes some protected wood ant - look out for their nests Allow and one wide bridge. 1 hour on the single path sections of the trail. Alder grassed over sections. ¼ hour trees thrive here too, along the sparkling Generally flat with one River Luachragan. short moderate slope by the car park. Wide, firm gravel 2¼ miles surface through- / 3.8 km out. Includes some Allow steep slopes and a 1½ hours wide bridge.