Improving habitats, encouraging wildlife Land Report 2011-12

www.johnmuirtrust.org

The John Muir Trust is a Scottish charitable company limited by guarantee (charity no SC002061 company no SC81620). Registered office: Suite 1, South Inch Business Centre, Shore Road, Perth PH2 8BW Photo: Keith BrameKeith Photo: Contents 4 Ben Nevis Encouraging signs of recovery 6 Glenlude Preparing to re-wild 8 Li and Coire Dhorrcail Health of habitats improves 10 Quinag Supporting important species 12 Sandwood A mixed picture 14 East Schiehallion A popular Munro route heals 16 Skye properties – ,  and A more natural landscape 18 Partnerships Better together

Reports compiled by: Liz Auty Edited by: Susan Wright, Nicky McClure Design: Inkcap Design Photography: Keith Brame, Don O’Driscoll, Chris Goodman, Fran Lockhart, Sandy Maxwell, Lester Standen, Rory Syme, Susan Wright, Karen Purvis and Nicola Tyrrell Cover picture: Quinag in summer, Keith Brame ©2012 John Muir Trust

2 | Land Report 2011–12 Photo © Keith BrameKeith © Photo Welcome

The John Muir Trust owns and looks after around 24,500 planting trees and cleaning up our hills and coastline hectares (60,500 acres) of some of the finest wild areas was invaluable. in the UK including Ben Nevis, Schiehallion, Sandwood Last year also saw many people completing a John Muir Bay, part of the on Skye, Quinag in Assynt and Li Award on our properties, taking part in a range of activities and Coire Dhorrcail on the remote Knoydart peninsula. including camping at Sandwood, kayaking at Torrin, This report is designed to highlight the work we do on the clearing drains and silt traps on the Steall meadows path land we manage. The nature of that work – conserving at Nevis and tree planting at Schiehallion’s neighbouring and enhancing habitats and biodiversity for the benefit estate, Dun Coillich. They were just a sample of the of landscape, wildlife and people – is guided by our Wild hundreds of thousands of visitors engaging with and Land Management Standards which you can read online enjoying John Muir Trust land every year. at www.wildlandmanagement.org.uk. The Trust strives to engage as much as possible with Our land management is long-term work that will the communities that live close to its land to deliver be for future generations to gauge success. However, joint projects where possible. Our new Conservation we’re pleased to be delivering positive results across our Fund, designed to support local groups and people properties already. Regenerating tree seedlings at Ben with sustainable and conservation-minded projects, Nevis, and Li and Coire Dhorrcail on Knoydart, are an last year supported the building of a new stalking indication of habitat recovery, while flourishing water pony enclosure on Knoydart and solar panels on voles at Quinag and eagles on Skye suggest that wild land community centre on Skye. species are benefitting too. It’s not all good news, of course. To everyone who helped and supported us in 2011, Reversing centuries of ecological damage is a difficult a big thank you. Here’s to another year of taking positive business and inevitably constrained by the actions steps towards our vision for wild land. of others. We owe great thanks to our supporters who enable us to do the work that we do, and to our dedicated volunteers who make so much of our work possible. Last year, our conservation work parties were more popular than ever and Trust volunteers put in over 700 days of hard work throughout the year. Their help maintaining paths, Mike Daniels, Head of Land and Science

Our wild land vision

The John Muir Trust would like to see the majority of the UK’s wild land supporting natural habitats and species. We envision a diverse landscape of natural tree lines, sustainable numbers of grazing animals, rich flora and abundant wildlife. We see the wide open spaces, stunning views, fresh air and clean water that are so important to people’s well-being, being valued and protected. This is our vision of wild land management. www.wildlandmanagement.org.uk Photo © LesterStanden © Photo

www.johnmuirtrust.org | 3 Ben Nevis Encouraging part in Three Peaks Challenge events, helped our volunteers carry the bags down to the car park. signs of recovery The waste included the rather unusual find of almost 4kg of brand The sky’s the limit when working on the UK’s highest new 4-inch galvanised nails still in peak says conservation officer Sarah Lewis their original packet. We also found a tent and sleeping gear abandoned in the observatory ruins. We’ve been donning banana A lifetime would not be Encouraging signs costumes and talking to walkers long enough to thoroughly Our monitoring in 2011 showed some going up the hill about the effect know Ben Nevis, its glens encouraging signs. We checked and that organic litter can have on the and passes, and its limitless measured 63 tree seedlings and found environment. Banana skins are a pockets of tucked away wildness. their height had increased by 10cm particular problem and can take A powerful and intriguing place, it on average – a great positive result. years to degrade in the upland offers opportunities for action and This amount of growth is what should environment. There has been a great adventure as well as enchanting spots be achieved where grazing is having response so far to the costumes. of absolute solitude. little impact. However, with an overall Hopefully they’ll make our important Unfortunately, centuries of over- height average of 49cm, they still have message stick in people’s minds. grazing by sheep and deer have some way to go before they reach caused the decline and disappearance tree height. Community involvement of a host of habitats and associated Since 2008, the percentage of We began working with some new wildlife in the Nevis area. On top plots where red deer dung has been groups in the Lochaber area in 2011, of this, around 100,000 people visit recorded has reduced from 57 per encouraging them to get involved Britain’s highest mountain each year cent to 25 per cent. This is a good in the John Muir Award. These and this inevitably has an impact. indication that our deer control included Lochaber Outdoor Learning As well as maintaining footpaths, measures are working. Over the same Partnership and a collective of south removing cairns and collecting litter period, we have seen a small (but not Lochaber schools. We are also part from the summit, we work to control statistically significant) increase in of the local Institute of Outdoor deer numbers so that a range of heather height from a mean of 12cm Learning group, looking at how the habitats, including native woodland, to 14cm. We hope these trends will Award can be integrated further in can regenerate. continue through our management. the area. After a few years of really poor In 2011, West Highland College weather in July, the mountain ringlet used the John Muir Award as part butterflies had a better season. The of its HNC in Adventure Tourism Facts & figures adults only fly for about two weeks and Outdoor Pursuits course. in early July and last year we saw 21 Students spent two days discovering The John Muir Trust looks butterflies in the five transects that we the estate as part of their Explorer after 1,761 hectares (4,300 monitor. Award. George Watson’s College acres) within the Ben Nevis We also survey 12 plots to look pupils made their annual spring and Glencoe National Scenic at the health of juniper plants every pilgrimage from Edinburgh. Their Area three years. This year we found that help clearing the drains and silt traps Around 100,000 people visit the height and area of the plants had on the Steall meadows path is part Ben Nevis each year increased slightly, but there was no of the conservation element of their n The average height increase evidence of seed set or any seedlings Discovery Award. of tree seedlings last year in the plots. was 10cm Litter and bananas 21 mountain ringlet Four volunteer work parties helped us butterflies were observed collect rubbish and demolish cairns Staff and volunteers cleared throughout the year on Ben Nevis 20 bin bags of litter from the in 2011. We cleared 20 bin bags of summit rubbish from the summit, plus ten Sarah is currently working towards 10 carrier bags of banana carrier bags full of banana skins that her Level 2 Deer Stalking Certificate skins were collected went into our composter. Members and began stalking on the Nevis of the public, including some taking estate last year.

4 | Land Report 2011–12 “Each season on the mountain presents a stimulating look at nature, full of menace, boldness and change.” Sarah Lewis, Conservation Officer Photo © Keith BrameKeith © Photo

Ben Nevis in pictures

Wildlife spotting Going bananas Wild Writing No 4 gully marker CARE International Last year’s Banana competition The Trust opened a donated three camera Awareness Campaign The Trust’s Wild Writing consultation on the future traps to capture images encouraged people to competition drew close of No 4 gully marker and of wildlife on Nevis. take their litter off the to 400 poetic entries Coire Leis abseil post on Deer and foxes have mountain and dispose of it inspired by wild places the summit of the Ben. been pictured so far but in a new dedicated organic from primary schools The post was vandalised perhaps red squirrels and waste bin at the Glen across the Lochaber and had to be replaced wild cats will follow in Nevis visitor centre. region. Trust chairman, early in the year. 2012 – let’s hope so. John Hutchison, awarded prizes at the Fort William Mountain Film Festival.

www.johnmuirtrust.org | 5 Glenlude Preparing to re-wild Facts & figures Glenlude covers 140 hectares (345 acres) in the Scottish Conservation ranger Karen Purvis gets to know Borders a place that’s bursting with potential Planted woodland covers 70 hectares (173 acres) of the property Since taking over the compact but diverse property. 20 volunteers attended the management of Glenlude in Biodiversity officer Liz Auty first official work party 2010, we have been working carried out a Phase 1 survey over 171 flowering plants were to restore habitats, manage existing the summer to create a habitat map recorded on site planted woodland and safeguard for the property, and staff have been 19 species of moths were threatened species like the black taking note of the wildlife they see caught in the first moth trap grouse. About half the property is on visits to the property. So far we planted with non-native woodland. have recorded 210 species from the This is mainly Sitka spruce with site, including 171 flowering plants Local ecologist Reuben Singleton smaller blocks of larch, although there (including notably grass of Parnassus who runs Tweed Ecology in Peebles are some native broadleaved species and rock rose). Interesting birds came down to Glenlude the night along watercourses and in small spotted include bullfinches and before and set up a moth trap. In blocks around the edge of the forest. crossbills. An amazing chorus of frogs all 91 moths were attracted to it in the ponds was a great spectacle in representing 19 different species, not Compact but diverse March, and common lizards were also a bad haul for the first time recording We have been carrying out baseline spotted in the summer. here. Seven of these are on the UK surveys of the habitats and wildlife The Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity Action Plan list including and have been in discussion with Environmental Management (IEEM) the Garden Tiger moth neighbours and other conservation hosted an event with Buglife and the bodies working in the area. Our John Muir Trust at the end of August, Mending drystone walls intention is to prepare a full looking at invertebrate identification In June, the Trust’s Borders members’ management plan for the property and management. Around a dozen group mended dry stone walls under following consultation in 2012 and IEEM members from across the expert supervision of Donald to look at establishing funding for attended along with John Muir Trust Macdonald and Alan Wolfe. The implementing the plan to re-wild this staff and trustees. first official work party was held at Glenlude in late October with over 20 volunteers attending from as far afield as Aberdeen, Inverness, Helensburgh, Manchester, Romney, County Durham, and even Newton St Boswells. All met in the volunteer’s shelter to hear about the estate and plan the weekend. Several tasks were undertaken including further repairs of dry stone walls and removal of redundant stock fences. n

Karen has just taken up her post at Our immediate priority is to restore the black grouse habitat at Glenlude, which will also help Glenlude having been a forester on the habitats of other ground-nesting birds. the remote Knoydart peninsula.

6 | Land Report 2011–12 “Glenlude is diverse and offers a range of interesting wildlife. The re-wilding of the area will be a great opportunity to involve lots of people and promises to deliver exciting educational opportunities.” Karen Purvis,Conservation Ranger Photo © Keith BrameKeith © Photo

Glenlude in pictures

Comfort break Give trees a chance Small is beautiful Thanks to our volunteers under Some recycled deer fencing from The Institute of Ecology and the expert guidance of the Trust’s East Schiehallion is used to make Environmental Managers (IEEM) Sandy Maxwell, Glenlude now has guards to protect individual trees at and Buglife spent a day at Glenlude a composting toilet housed in a Glenlude. trying out surveying methods building made from recycled wood such as pitfall traps, beating and with a turf roof. sweeping to find examples of invertebrates in the vegetation.

www.johnmuirtrust.org | 7 Li and Coire Dhorrcail Health of habitats improves Facts & figures The Trust looks after 1,243 hectares (3,101 acres) on Property manager Lester Standen sees life returning the north-eastern slopes to the rough bounds of Ladhar Bheinn on the Knoydart peninsula The average increase in Li and Coire Dhorrcail Heavy browsing reduced height observed in tree forms part of the Knoydart We carry out annual monitoring of seedlings last year was 5cm National Scenic Area and was heathland and naturally regenerating The average increase in traditionally referred to as the ‘rough tree seedlings. The plots are all height observed in heather bounds’ because of its wild terrain outside fences and allow us to assess since 2008 was 3cm and remoteness. the impacts of grazing from red deer. Only 10 per cent of heathland Much of the land has been overgrazed Last year’s monitoring showed good is now showing signs of by sheep and deer and we’re working to signs of improvement. Since 2008, excessive browsing restore what has been lost. the percentage of heathland plots The People’s Postcode It’s heartening that the habitat and showing heavy browsing has reduced Lottery contributed landscape has been changing rapidly from 97 per cent to 10 per cent and £6,265 towards the cost of in recent years. When the Trust first the mean height of heather has purchasing a boat purchased the estate, vegetation was increased from 7cm to 10cm. sparse with only widely scattered trees We saw an average 5cm increase in on hillsides and a few remnants in height from 2010 to 2011 for the 109 Access improved ravines. The area had an open aspect tree seedlings we measured showing Thanks to an award of £6,265 from dominated by boggy grasslands. It that the health of the habitats is the People’s Postcode Trust, a grant- was a relatively empty landscape with improving. The seedlings are mainly giving charity funded entirely by little wildlife. birch and rowan, with the occasional players of the People’s Postcode Today it’s very different, with the hazel and oak. We will continue the Lottery, we were able to purchase a grasslands at lower levels becoming a recording until the trees reach about boat to access Knoydart. It takes just mosaic of different habitats including three metres. five minutes to get to the property by native woodland (such as rowan, We also have two 1km long tree boat from Arnisdale or else access is Scots pine, oak and hazel) and heath. transects set up on the property. a nine-mile walk along seven miles As the place has come to life, there’s A volunteer monitored the tree of footpath and a further two miles of been a spectacular burst of growth transects and found no change in rough ground. with the restored habitats bringing a browsing overall. However, on one We make about 80 crossings a year rich diversity of wildlife. of the transects the heights of the to transport staff, volunteers, tools In spring, many species of migratory tree seedlings showed a positive and equipment. Having our own birds arrive that couldn’t have lived increase with 17 per cent of the tree boat is a big step forward. It makes us here before without the woodland, seedlings at a height of above 30cm less reliant on the transport options heathland and abundance of insects (as compared to 8 per cent in 2009). offered by third parties and will cut to feed on. Bats, pine martens and roe down on the time volunteers have to deer have also colonised. spend walking in to the property. n

Tree seedling heights recorded at Li and Coire Dhorrcail Transect

300 2007

250 2009 2011 200

150 seedlings 100 No. 50 Lester has been involved with the

0 Trust since 1992 when he planted 1-10 11-12 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 100+ some of the original tree seedlings Height category (cm) on Knoydart that are now full grown.

8 | Land Report 2011–12 “Life is amazing, the way it can bounce back when given the opportunity.” Lester Standen, Property Manager Photo © LesterStanden © Photo

Li and Coire Dhorrcail in pictures

Work party success Regenerating trees Stalkers path progresses In April a work party of volunteers Native woodland, including rowan, Volunteer work parties continued walked in from Kinlochhourn, scots pine, oak and hazel, is starting work on the stalkers path in Coire enjoying great weather as they to take hold in Knoydart thanks to Dhorrcail, working alongside carried to the shore the wire and the absence of sheep and effective footpaths officer Chris Goodman stobs from the deer fence taken deer control. to rebuild sections that have been down last year. washed away and destroyed over the years.

www.johnmuirtrust.org | 9 Quinag Supporting important species Facts & figures Quinag covers 3,699 hectares (9,140 acres) in the Assynt Property manager Fran Lockhart is forever in awe of National Scenic Area this beautiful and wild part of Assynt The property comprises the three peaks of Sàil Gharbh (rough heel), Sàil Ghorm From the highest point at the show any benefit. (blue heel) and Spidean summit of Sàil Gharbh, down We record 77 marked seedlings Coinich (mossy peak) to the north side of the estate on Quinag every year. Between 2008 At 808 metres, the summit where the mountain has its feet in the and 2011, the tree seedlings only of Sàil Gharbh is the highest sea, Quinag is a spectacular place. In increased in height by an average of point summer, the crags and corries echo 4cm (not statistically significant). We Between 2008 and 2011, with the sounds of wrens and the hope to see a greater positive change heather achieved an average haunting notes of the ring ouzel, while soon. On the heathland plots, the growth of 2cm down at the shore, seals, sea trout and height of heather has also only shown The average growth achieved thrift can be found. a small increase since 2008 – from by tree seedlings during the We work hard at Quinag to prevent an average of 19cm to 21cm in the 31 same period was 4cm landscape damage and erosion, plots recorded. maintaining the mountain path to the We also have 1km transects set Volunteers built three range summit and restoring habitats up at this property to look at the exclosures in 2011 to that have been damaged by centuries regeneration and growth of tree demonstrate the potential of burning and overgrazing. These seedlings. The proportion of seedlings for trees regenerating support important species such as browsed and the proportion of without the pressure of deer otters, red deer, pipistrelle bats and seedlings over 30cm tall had not browsing water voles. increased since 2009. We now plan to Habitat improvement would give revisit these every five years. species without the pressure of deer the ancient Ardvar Woodlands – a We revisited our juniper plots in browsing. Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Quinag in September. They were last Volunteers also spent a day and Site of Special Scientific Interest monitored in 2008. Overall there working on path maintenance in (SSSI) – a chance to expand naturally. was no significant change, but it was April. Hardly any touch up work was However, the effectiveness of our encouraging that some plants were required on a new section of path deer management is constrained by producing berries and the seedlings leading on to the shoulder at Spidean management approaches elsewhere. recorded previously were still in the Coinich, so work concentrated on plots. repairing the path that leads out of the Slow progress corrie as well as cleaning the ditches. We’re disappointed that the Exclosures built In July some work was needed on Ardvar Woodlands is currently in Two work parties built three 10-metre the high level path up Sàil Gharbh. unfavourable condition, and we squared exclosures using deer Several new anchor bars (which are working with Scottish Natural fencing that was recycled from East prevent the path slipping downwards) Heritage and our neighbours to try to Schiehallion. The exclosures will were added and a section of turf lined resolve this. However, progress is slow demonstrate the potential for natural ditching deepened to improve the and the habitat monitoring is yet to regeneration of trees and other drainage on the path. n

Monitoring the growth of tree seedlings

Fran is working with Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape project partners on a deer festival to 2008 2009 2012 2011 promote venison.

10 | Land Report 2011–12 “I can never spend too much time on Quinag. It’s a special place among the unique and stunning landscape of north west Scotland.” Fran Lockhart, Property Manager Photo © Keith BrameKeith © Photo

Quinag in pictures

Holly bush spotted Summer visitors Monitoring training day Fran Lockhart photographed this During the summer months, ring Trust staff joined with partners lone holly bush hanging on in one ouzels join the ptarmigans (pictured from the Coigach and Assynt Living of the foothills of Quinag despite above) in upper corries and rocky Landscape project to spend a day years of relentless grazing that has places around our property at learning about impact monitoring on removed the woodland in which it Quinag. our land. should be thriving.

www.johnmuirtrust.org | 11 Sandwood A mixed picture Facts & figures Sandwood is made up of 4,703 hectares (11,621 acres) Conservation officer Don O’Driscoll discovers endless of wild and crofted land just a wonder on the golden shores of north-west Scotland few miles from Cape Wrath Our overwintering colony of 65 barnacle geese remains Sandwood is special in so numbers have shown a continual stable many ways. Cathel Morrison, decline, most likely due to the failure Three drums of engine oil our former Sandwood of the fish stocks on which they are and seven sacks of plastic manager of many years, says: dependant (see graph below). rubbish were collected by “Beguiling, belittling, bewitching, Following a full survey of water Explorer Scouts boisterous, balmy and beautiful voles in 2006 and 2007, we annually The Trust’s Conservation – often all on the same day. It’s revisit core areas for the voles and Fund gave support to two always blessed but never boring.” record any signs and sightings. In crofters attempting to The property is designated a Special 2011 we found that some of the introduce more biodiversity Area of Conservation and we work usually occupied patches did not have on their land at Sandwood to protect and restore the wild voles. This may mean that mink are Local provider Cape character and landscape of Sandwood moving into the area so we’re putting Adventure, based at Loch Bay, Sheigra, Oldshorebeg and out mink rafts to check for presence Laxford, delivered 300 John Oldshoremore machair, the coastal of this invasive species. We’ll see if we Muir Awards last year cliffs and the surrounding area. record any in 2012. Our work includes protecting the We recorded a few great yellow 11 people joined the area’s peatland – an important wildlife bumblebees this year at Droman. The John Muir Trust after habitat and carbon store – and bees rely on good habitat with lots of engaging with the Wild machair, a prime habitat, unique to flowers for their food source so this Land Awareness team at the north western fringes of Scotland is a good sign. Grazing by rabbits can Sandwood and Ireland, which contains more be a problem, and we’re working to than 200 species of plant including control their numbers and hopefully the section of new path built last eight orchids. We also maintain enhance the habitat for the bees autumn by contractors. In June, we footpaths and carry out wildlife and other insects that live there. Our took some pupils from Kinlochbervie monitoring, deer management and colony of overwintering barnacle school on a wildlife walk around beach cleaning. geese remains stable. The severe Oldshoremore. We also supported 11 storms over the last few winters have Scottish Agricultural College students Key importance resulted in the geese grazing on the as they completed their Explorer Our monitoring of man-made erosion inbye croft land more regularly. Awards. on the sand dunes in 2011 found no In July, a group of eight Explorer significant changes. We have been Beach cleaning action Scouts from Milnathort and monitoring the colonies of seabirds at Over the year groups of volunteers their leaders did a beach clean at Sandwood for 15 years. Unfortunately carried out some landscaping around Sandwood Bay as part of their John Muir Award, spotting wildlife such Fulmar population over time as mountain hare and the tracks of Sandwood Estate Seabird Monitoring – Mean Fulmar Numbers 1997-2010 otters. A Duke of Edinburgh Award 800 group also did a beach clean at 700 Sandwood during the summer and 600 collected 16 trailer loads of rubbish. n 500 400 300 200 100 0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Eagle-eyed Don divides his time between Sandwood and Quinag.

12 | Land Report 2011–12 “Our plans for Sandwood include monitoring the habitats here so that the native biodiversity, including water voles and great yellow bumblebees, can thrive.” Don O’Driscoll, Conservation Officer Photo © Keith BrameKeith © Photo

Sandwood in pictures

Sandwood wildlife watch Beach combing Scouting around Sandwood There have been all sorts of Sometimes the sea washes up Eight explorer scouts from interesting sights at Sandwood over reminders that life is fleeting. Last Milnathort achieved their John the course of the year. Scale insects year, we found a dead young Minke Muir Award by discovering the were found on creeping willow whale on the beach, the remains of beauty, solitude and biodiversity of by the shore. This was the most a leatherback turtle (pictured Sandwood. They explored the area northerly recording of these so far above), and 28 dead starlings that by journeying through the tree- in the UK. In March, whooper swans had been blown off their cliff roost free boggy moorland to the north visited as they made their way north, in a dramatic storm at the end of coast and conserved it by cleaning with 25 calling on Loch an Larach. the year. the beach and practising minimum Two puffins were sighted swimming impact camping. in Loch Clash later in the year, as well as an otter eating a flat fish.

www.johnmuirtrust.org | 13 East Schiehallion A popular Munro route heals Facts & figures East Schiehallion covers an area of 915 hectares (2,260 New path to the rocky ridge is a great success says acres) and forms part of the property manager, Sandy Maxwell designated Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area and Schiehallion Site of Special Scientific Schiehallion is a popular No positive change Interest Munro and around 20,000 We also have 1km transects set people ascend the summit up to look at the regeneration and At 1,083 metres (3,547 feet) every year to be rewarded with growth of tree seedlings. All the trees in height, Schiehallion is fabulous views across Loch Rannoch, along a 1km long and 2 metre wide Scotland’s 57th highest the wilds of Rannoch Moor and the transect are measured and checked mountain hills of the central Highlands as far by dedicated volunteers for browsing 20,000 people ascend the as Glencoe. The Trust built the main damage. In line with the results for summit of Schiehallion every path in 2002 using locally sourced the marked seedlings, we saw no year materials and maintains it regularly positive change since the transects Two people counters are using volunteers. were last recorded in 2009. If our installed on the path to deer and sheep management plans record visitor numbers Long-term process are effective we would hope to see 25 people attended the open On East Schiehallion, grazing impacts positive improvements. property meeting held in come from wild red deer and also SNH carried out site condition Rannoch in October sheep that stray from neighbouring monitoring of the Site of Special ground. We are in a long-term process Scientific Interest during the year. of trying to reduce deer numbers The montane assemblage is made the summit. impacting on the estate and sheep up of a mosaic of habitats influenced Last summer a visitor to incursions. Encouragingly a stalker on by the calcareous limestone rocks Schiehallion found some markings the neighbouring Kynachan Estate is that outcrop on the mountain. The close to the summit. On one work starting an annual deer cull. habitats across the site met their party we were fortunate to have an We carry out annual monitoring targets for favourable condition. archaeologist among the volunteers of heathland, lime-rich flushes and Volunteers are also visiting East who was able to identify these as naturally regenerating tree seedlings. Schiehallion every year to record imitations of pre-Roman designs, However, since 2008 we have seen no mountain ringlet butterflies, confirming they are relatively recent changes in the heathland or marked watervoles and black grouse leks. graffiti. seedlings, when we would hope to see Mountain ringlets and watervole signs During the year Pitlochry High some positive changes here. were recorded this year but in low School completed a Discovery For the flush plots we have seen no numbers, while black grouse were in Award, with 53 pupils tree planting major changes and these are generally good numbers. and carrying out fence maintenance in good condition with limited work in the Dun Coillich Community damage from hoof prints and tracks. Plenty of wildlife Woodland area next to Schiehallion. n These fragile habitats are sensitive The first work party of the year at East to trampling and are monitored by Schiehallion got off to an excellent volunteers. start. Volunteers carried out cross drain and water bar clearing and constructed a few new anchor bars higher up the path. It was a lovely clear day with plenty of wildlife on view including ptarmigan and mountain hares. During the year other volunteer Sandy is always impressed by the work parties helped to install two new number of Trust members and people counters, cleared the silt traps supporters who take part in the Flush plots are in good condition with limited on the path and removed some new practical conservation work he damage from hoof prints. cairns that had been created near organises each year.

14 | Land Report 2011–12 “Our volunteers work hard each year to maintain the new path and carry out restoration work to the line of the old path. The old line is recovering really well, which is great to see.” Sandy Maxwell, Property Manager Photo © Keith BrameKeith © Photo

East Schiehallion in pictures

Recycling old fencing Wilderness Scotland Path work Trust staff take down a deer fence as pitches in Volunteers worked hard on part of their John Muir Award. The Wilderness Scotland, a corporate maintaining the path, clearing out fence was recycled on Quinag. supporter of the John Muir Trust, silt traps and helping to make the organised a work party on East transition from the built path into Schiehallion in September to carry the rocky ridge path clearer for out path maintenance. people not familiar with the area. They also carried out some spot turfing in the higher sections of the old path line to help heal the old scar.

www.johnmuirtrust.org | 15 Skye properties A more natural landscape Facts & figures Trust land covers 12,044 hectares (29,761 acres) on Property manager Ally Macaskill reports from the Southern Skye green heart of the Cuillin Over 80 per cent of our property lies within the Cuillin Hills National Scenic Dramatic mountains, rugged where the regenerated native trees are Area coastline, beautiful woodland coming along well. The average increase in and important peatland – our The same party cleared the shore height for tree seedlings Skye property is all this and more, line from Elgol around to Luig Mhoir between 2008 and 2011 was taking in the crofting townships and as far as Eilan na h-Airde, carried out 39cm communities around Strathaird, some maintenance on the Blaven Local school children helped Sconser, Torrin and Elgol. The area and Keppoch paths and cut down build a new stone gateway is home to otters and golden eagles rhododendrons close to the at Sligachan as part of their as well as native woodlands of hazel, Hotel. In September, work was carried John Muir Award aspen and ash. out on the low level path from the We installed a new log- The Trust is working to improve Blaven car park to Keppoch, and on fuelled boiler at our office in habitats and encourage a more the highest point of the track from Strathaird, helped by a grant natural landscape by reducing the Strathaird to . from Community Energy grazing pressure from deer and sheep, We are working hard to enhance Scotland restructuring commercial exotic habitats and ecosystems and the woodlands to native woodlands and wealth of wildlife that is already here The Trust’s Conservation controlling non-native invasive plant is reflected in the range of sites that Fund supported five Skye- species. We also maintain footpaths receive protection for their important based projects last year and clear litter. wildlife. We worked with local staff from Scottish Natural Heritage to Encouraging signs identify action to bring these sites Primary school in September. In the On Strathaird, we carry out annual into top condition. Our estates on summer, 18 pupils from Auchtertyre monitoring of heathland and Skye support a wealth of fascinating & Loch Duich primary schools naturally regenerating tree seedlings, wildlife from close to 300 species visited Torrin Outdoor Centre as which include birch, rowan, willow, of mosses and liverwort, the arctic part of their Discovery Award ash, holly and hazel. Encouragingly, alpine plants on limestone outcrops taking part in a variety of activities the tree seedlings have shown an and juniper heath, to the otters that including orienteering, caving, and average increase in height of 39cm thrive along the coast and the golden kayaking, and wildlife spotting on between 2008 and 2011. Over the eagles that soar over the mountains. the seashore. n same time period, for 22 heathland plots, there was no change in the Community support mean height of heather (around This year our Conservation Fund 22cm) and no change in the browsing supported five projects on Skye. The (which remains very light). We also funding gave the Blue Shed Café on set up some new blanket bog plots Torrin a new noticeboard; helped to this year, and plan to put in more in develop a Torrin Common Grazing 2012 so that we can monitor this key Management plan to protect areas habitat. of hazel woodland and limestone pavement; contributed to the cost Sprucing up the area of photovoltaic panels on the roof of In mid-May volunteers pulled out Elgol Community Hall; supported thousands of spruce seedlings from a peatland restoration project at the felled area at Ringell, cleaned the Drinan; and provided day trips to help beach at Camasunary and took down High School pupils gain their Ally brings years of deer stalking redundant deer fencing. In August, Explorer Awards. experience to his new post on Skye – a work party pulled up more spruce We ran a half-day John Muir most recently stalking on estates in producing large piles in an area Award training session at Broadford Glen Lyon.

16 | Land Report 2011–12 “Our Skye estates combine fantastic mountain and coastal scenery with a wealth of wildlife. It is a privilege to be involved in conserving this spectacular landscape.” Ally Macaskill, Property Manager Photo © Keith BrameKeith © Photo

Skye in pictures

Monitoring training Gateway opens Volunteers clean up beach We ran training for staff and Thanks to workers including John Camasunary Bay faces south- volunteers on identifying wildflowers Muir Award participants from west towards the current running and habitat monitoring techniques, Portree High School the gateway to between Rum and Eigg and including heathland monitoring. the Black Cuillin at Sligachan has prevailing wind and it is a magnet opened. This will be the location for for marine litter. Volunteers helped a sculpture of the pioneer climbers collect an estimated 230 cubic John Mackenzie and Professor metres of plastic rubbish. Norman Collie.

www.johnmuirtrust.org | 17 Partnerships Better together We work with a number of like-minded organisations in pursuit of our wild land management vision. Here’s who we worked with in 2011

North Harris Trust Coigach and Assynt Living A number of large access and interpretation projects were successfully completed in 2011. These included repairs to Landscape project hill paths at Langadail, Urgha and Ulladale. North Harris In 2011, a group of land managers launched Coigach Trust is now well on the way to completing repairs to the and Assynt Living Landscape (CALL), the largest habitat estate’s entire network of paths and tracks – most of which restoration project of its kind in Scotland. The partnership had been neglected for decades before the land came into comprises the Scottish Wildlife Trust, John Muir Trust, community ownership in 2003. Assynt Foundation, Culag Community Woodland We have also been supporting the North Harris Trust Trust, Eisg Brachaid Estate, and Tanera Mòr – a mix of habitat monitoring. There are ongoing discussions with community bodies, conservation organisations and private SNH about how best to manage the area’s deer herd to landowners. protect the numerous designated sites on the estate. These partners have joined forces to work together to Our volunteers attended two work parties at North deliver an aspirational 50-year plan to bring woodland Harris this year. In June they spent a week clearing the connectivity, species-rich flora and fauna, and economic coastine, tackling gunnera and other invasive plants, prosperity to the Scottish uplands. The partnership aims to clearing culverts and opening up ditches. In July another develop projects that have both environmental and social work party cleared rubbish from Bagh Theilisnis beach, benefits for the area. A project manager and a tree nursery filling five one-ton helicopter sacks. manager have been appointed to drive forward different In September, we helped organise and run the inaugural aspects of this project. Harris Mountain Festival, which proved very popular with visitors and locals alike. Nevis Partnership Galson Trust The year began with a major Heritage Lottery Fund The Galson Trust was busy in the north of Lewis in Landscape Partnership Programme funding bid, which 2011. We continued to provide management support to was rejected at the final meeting last year. Another its ranger, who ran a programme of walks, events and application was submitted in February 2012 and the results environmental education initiatives before leaving at the will be announced this July. If successful, the application end of the year. will secure almost £4 million of investment across a wide Galson is focusing primarily on economic development range of projects in the Nevis area over a period of six projects including a community wind power project and years, including an 18 month fully funded development tourism initiatives. We helped them design a number of phase. interpretation projects over the last year, including panels Meanwhile, work continued on developing an at the Butt of Lewis and Clach an Truisel – the largest integrated management approach for the Nevis Area, with single standing stone in Scotland. the Integrated Management Working Group submitting a Our volunteers spent a day in July building a stone LEADER application to assist with funding. Other projects plinth next to the lighthouse at the Butt of Lewis. This will included new interpretation boards for Glen Nevis. These hold an interpretation panel explaining some of the local boards now provide information in a joined up manner, wildlife and geology. thanks to input from several of the partners.

18 | Land Report 2011–12 The Trust’s conservation Foundation officer Don O’Driscoll, pictured on the left, helps with a CALL seedling survey. Photo © Keith BrameKeith © Photo Assynt © Photo

West Harris Trust Carrifran This new prospective partnership is still to be formalised Our partnership with this exciting re-wilding project in but offers exciting potential. The West Harris estate was the Borders was re-invigorated with a Trust members visit bought by the community in 2010. It covers some of the around our AGM and the presence of a staff member on most spectacular landscapes in Europe, including the the ecological advisory group. Several of the volunteers magnificent coastal townships of Luskentyre and Scarista. on the weekly Carrifran group are now involved in The West Harris Trust is keen to work with us on future volunteering on our Glenlude property. environmental projects having collaborated closely with us last year over a potential community purchase of the island of Taransay.

Corrour Knoydart Foundation and Our staff provided refresher training before estate staff Knoydart Forest Trust carried out an ambitious programme of habitat and species monitoring this year. Corrour’s deer management The Knoydart Foundation made two successful bids to programme is beginning to show positive impact in the the Trust’s Conservation Fund. One was for a new pony habitat data recorded. Black and red grouse surveys were paddock, which involved the reinstatement of a pony carried out, while a dotterel survey was conducted as part enclosure for highland ponies used for deer carcass of a national survey. extraction. The other was to help create a Knoydart A conservation work party at Corrour focused on Woodland Sculpture Trail in the woodlands around paths, and woodland and loch side rubbish clearance. Inverie. Sculptures were made with natural materials Path work included maintenance on the old ‘Road to the based on the theme of nature and wildlife. Isles’ path, the track to the south of Loch Ossian and the In April, a large group of Trust volunteers spent a week path from Ossian to Lubnaclach, with several new piped on Knoydart based at Inverie. They helped the Knoydart culverts installed. Old culverts were re-opened and several Forest Trust and the Foundation comb the hillside above hundred metres of ditching was dug out. More of the old Inverie for any rhododendron seedlings that have escaped birch wood to the south of Loch Ossian was hand weeded previous work parties or seeded in the last year. The of small self seeding spruce, as was a new plantation to the programme of rhododendron control is definitely showing east of the Corrour Lodge. results as the burst of diverse plant and bird life in the An ambitious forest plan to re-structure over 1,000 woodlands shows. There was also a major beach clean hectares of commercial forest to a much more wild undertaken around the village as well as some work on the land and wildlife friendly native woodland mix is community vegetable garden. being consulted on. The initial phases will see felling of commercially valuable timber and re-stocking with a mixture of commercial and native species.

www.johnmuirtrust.org | 19 Beautiful, exhilarating, inspiring, essential

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