Càrnach Woodland Walk Càrnach Woodland Walk Càrnach with Stepping Stones

Càrnach woodland walk Càrnach woodland walk Càrnach with stepping stones. stepping with areas and steps pitched 40°), (to slopes steep some are There boulders. with strewn terrain slippery sometimes uneven rough, through winds and unsurfaced narrow, is Càrnach through trail The 500m Primroses 40°

©Sam Bridgewater Applecross LandscapePartnership Scheme (ALPS) accuracy ofinformationpublished. is correctatthetimeofprintingbuttakesnoresponsibilityfor ALPS believesthatallinformationprovidedinthispublication the website. walks ontheApplecrosspeninsulapleasevisit For furtherinformationonCàrnachandother WWW.APPLECROSSWALKS.ORG.UK

Cover photograph: Design: Valerie Hodgkinson ©2012. ALPSLC1/12 Lobaria virens ©Andy Acton Atlantic Rainforest CÀRNACH A’ CHOMRAICH APPLECROSS the Sanctuary Càrnach Coppice CÀRNACH Place of stones Nature or nurture? Atlantic rainforest Càrnach means either a rocky or stony Preasarlach Coille-uisge a’ Chuain an Iar place, or a location abounding in cairns. Nàdar no buaidh?

th The fourteen acres of Càrnach Estate maps dating to the start of the 19 Càrnach is classified as an Atlantic woodland form one of the century indicate that areas of Càrnach may hazel woodland, and is one of many once have been managed as woodland pasture. richest regional habitats for similar woodlands scattered across The woodland itself overlies an archaeological lichens and mosses. landscape of field enclosures and clearance piles, the west coast of Scotland. They Gloriously verdant, and with many and possible prehistoric structures have recently are all recognised as being of great secret knolls and boulder-strewn been noted within its confines. Hazel woodlands conservation interest. of this kind are believed to be of ancient origin, hollows, Càrnach has delighted Many of the hazel trees within Càrnach appear and can be considered relicts of an abundant generations and once supplied to have been cut and allowed to resprout and widespread vegetation type that thrived fuelwood and raw materials for (coppiced). While stems of this species have after the last glaciation. Whatever its beginnings local townships. always been cut for a variety of purposes, it and subsequent degree of disturbance, what is is doubtful whether these specimens have certain is that nature and human influence have Regeneration of trees is currently ever been intensively managed. The species is interplayed to fashion the enchanting wildlife poor and storms have taken their naturally multi-branching at its base and hazel sanctuary that exists today. toll on the magnificent birch woods can be self-sustaining in the absence and hazel that jointly define this of coppicing. Any intensive cutting of stems in magical place. this woodland would now limit its biodiversity by reducing the number of old-growth habitats Efforts are now under way to for lichens. protect the woodland, ensuring Although hazel is conspicuous, other trees such this important wildlife habitat as birch, oak, rowan, elder and ash are also is preserved and continues to abundant in Càrnach. support biodiversity and offer useful resources for the Please respect the environment and those local community. who follow in your footsteps. Do not pick any flowers, lichens or mosses. Thank you. ©Sam Bridgewater

look SPECIES OF THREATENED LICHEN IN Càrnach’s carpet M CÀRNACH ON THE EU RED LIST out Norwegian speckleberry Brat-ùrlair a’ Chàrnaich for ... Pseudocyphellaria norvegica Golden speckleberry Pseudocyphellaria crocata When it comes to moss and lichens, Scotland – and Frilly fruited jelly-skin lichen Leptogium burgessii L 1. Greater fork-moss particularly the west coast of Dicranum majus NATIONALLY SCARCE LICHENS IN CÀRNACH Scotland – is viewed as being of Catkins international importance. TCP lichen Parmeliella testacea Cushion jelly lichen Collema fasciculare Scotland has 60% (ca. 800) of Europe’s L known species of moss in less than 1% Orange pox lichen Pyrenula occidentalis Cushion jelly lichen of the land area. The lichen flora is even 2. Collema fasciculare Norwegian speckleberry richer, with 1,500 species recorded. Pseudocyphellaria norvegica Much of Càrnach’s conservation significance relates to these groups of plants that cover the ground and tree M 3. Red-eyed shingle Future management trunks. Over 140 species of lichen have Pannaria rubiginosa been documented from the woodland, Stiùireadh san àm ri teachd of which four are nationally scarce. Long-term plans will protect the wildlife Three are on the EU red list of L of Càrnach whilst enhancing the threatened lichens. Many of the lichens of special interest thrive on old-growth woodland’s amenity and social value. 4. Common tamarisk-moss trees, and their presence indicates Thuidium tamariscinum Interventions are likely to include the use that the air is unpolluted and that the of temporary fencing within parts of the woodland is ancient. woodland to allow natural regeneration of M 5. Lungwor t In contrast to the lichen, the 100 resident Lobaria pulmonaria trees, and small-scale selective cutting of types of moss and liverworts are most some of the hazel stems of lesser lichen value conspicuous on the abundant boulders. In to supply craft materials for community use. part, the presence of lichens and moss in moss lichen M L Whilst deer management will always be this habitat is due to the open nature of needed, grazing may be required to maintain the woodland, which has been influenced Numbered photographs: 6. Cypress-leaved plait-moss 2&3 ©Andy Acton, the open structural form that favours the by grazing pressure from deer. 6 ©David Long and all others Hypnum cupressiforme ©Sam Bridgewater. development of a rich lichen flora. As you walk the trail keep a lookout Birch Beithe for the engraved stones that mark Birch dominates the ridges of Càrnach. One good sites where these plants can of the west coast’s most characteristic trees, be viewed: birch can be used for a myriad of purposes. Brooms or garden plant supports can be Moss Còinneach fashioned from its lashed twigs; barrel staves, flooring or panelling from its wood; The boulder fields of this woodland are and wine or shampoo from the tapping of covered with a carpet of moss. Moss forms its sap in spring! part of a rich cultural tradition. It has been used by doctors as dressings and once provided a source of nappy and bedding material, insulation and a substance for caulking boats. The common haircap (Polytrichum commune) that grows in Càrnach was once regularly woven into rope, and much favoured by the Victorians for constructing chair backs for use in their

Lichen Crotal Hazel Calltainn We highly Càrnach Woodland Trail recommend the The trunk and branches of the trees around Hazel is perhaps the quintessential multi- road use of Map sheet you are resplendent with lichens. Lichens track purpose tree, with its stems employed 24 in the OS path are curious organisms that are part fungus variously to produce hurdles, creels and Landranger Map less defined path and part green algae. Famous as natural walking sticks or to provide supports series, or similar, P parking when exploring indicators of atmospheric health, they are for shelters. Its nuts have been a valued trees/woodland the Applecross perhaps most associated in Scotland with the nutritious food for settlers in the area since forestry plantation Peninsula. historic production of dyes. Crottle (Parmelia the Mesolithic period. places of interest and businesses spp.) was once much used for producing This species is reputed to orange/brown hues in the Harris tweed have mystical powers and is industry, although use of this species has still the preferred choice for

The Applecross Walks and Trails leaflet gives details long been in decline. water divining rods. of other paths within the Applecross Peninsula.