Seasonal Highlights Our Top Three Things to Try Wildlife
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Seasonal highlights Wildlife Spring and summer Although tricky to spot, there is an abundance Get up with sunrise for a wander in the woods of wildlife living here. Their ‘chip chip’ call from and immerse yourself in bird song. A warm spring the pinewoods alerts you to a flock of crossbills. day will tease pine cones open with a crack. As Redstarts and tree pipits arrive in spring. the season progresses, orchids together with Dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies patrol tasty blaeberries emerge. Take a deep breath, the the air in the warm sunny days of spring and aromas of the woods shift subtly as the days pass. summer, elaborate There is something special about a pinewood in fungi emerge later spring. in the year. Autumn and winter After a long As summer retreats enjoy the red and gold leaves absence, red of the aspen and oak. As the leaf litter grows look squirrels are being for fungi pushing through before icy winds from reintroduced to the north bring snow. the woodland in autumn 2019. Our top three things to try Loch Migdale The loch view is a must-see for every visitor - from the shore, or from the bench higher up the hill. Spinningdale view One of the most northerly oakwoods in the UK, this slightly longer walk takes you on an adventure though the trees to a wonderful view over the old Spinningdale mill and beyond to the Dornoch Firth. Speckled Wood John Bridges/WTML Peregrine John MacPherson/WTML Natural wonders From the chatter of birds and the rustling of leaves, to the colours of lichen and the chance sighting of a butterfly, there is always something to encounter in this wood. Ledmore and Migdale is one of Woodland Trust Scotland’s largest and most spectacular properties. Set amongst beautiful highland scenery it is teeming with wildlife and steeped in history. These woods today are the result of the deep relationship between people and the environment over millennia. Explore the trails through pine and oak woods. Wonder at the incredible view over Loch Migdale and Migdale Rock, rson/WTML the sleeping giant hidden deep within this wood. ea cPh a John M John John MacPherson/WTML Eleanor Garty/WTPLy Red Squirrel John Bridges/WTML People and trees Getting here Humans have shaped this landscape for over 4,000 The wood is about one hour’s drive north of Inverness. years. Neolithic cairns, farms and field systems can From the A9, turn west at Clashmore and follow the Ledmore and be seen near the paths shown in this leaflet. Two A949 for five miles to Spinningdale. At Spinningdale, hundred and fifty years ago, these woods, and the turn right onto the minor road signposted for Migdale. area, began to be dramatically altered by ‘Honest After about half a mile, you will find the Torroy car Migdale George’ Dempster, a forward thinking MP. He planted park on your right. many of the older Teeming with wildlife and steeped in history trees in the woods and purchased the Achue surrounding Skibo Ledmore & Estate, as well as LedmoreMigdale & Midgale building the now ruined cotton mill near the shore. Spinningdale Later, the estate Spinningdale A949 A9 was bought by the famous industrialist A949 and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Woodland Trust Scotland became Stay in touch the custodians of Visit woodlandtrust.org.uk to learn more about the work of the Woodland Trust Scotland and how Woodland Trust Scotland continuing tree planting this wood in 1993. with the community. John MacPherson/WTML you can help us protect trees and woodland. South Inch Business Centre, Perth, Perthshire PH2 8BW 0330 333 3300 woodlandtrust.org.uk /WTML g The Woodland Trust is a registered charity in Scotland no. SC038885 and in England and Wales no. 294344. A non-profit making company limited by guarantee. l Filmin Registered in England no. 1982873. Registered Office: Kempton Way, Grantham, a ri Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL. The Woodland Trust logo is a registered trademark. 13155 11/18 e Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code A Elliott rd rson/WTML a e cPh a FRONT: Rich FRONT: John M John WTML/Maurice Walker & Northeastwildlife.co.uk Ledmore and Migdale A rich tapestry of natural and cultural heritage Parking Loch Migdale Cairn A there and back walk to the loch shore, through pine wood where Canadian Foresters lived and worked Viewpoint during the Second World War. Bench Firm, wide, grassy path 3.5km/ Bridge with gravelly and rough 2 miles sections. One set of steps one way Torroy and one narrow kissing Allow up gate. Both can be avoided to 1hr Path/track by taking the tarred road Easy access to the junction, which goes through one gate or crosses a cattle grid. Short e il Pik Red Dog moderate slopes, slippy e Chambered during wet weather. nd/N a Migdale Rock l Cairn g SSSI l En Loch Migdale A’Chraisg a tur A loop through the woods and onto open moorland for a 500m a spectacular panorama across Scotland. Spinningdale Bog Firm, wide paths with 7km/ tson/WTML N tson/WTML SSSI occasional rough and 4.5 miles a boggy sections. Grassy Allow up and gravel surfaces often to 2.5hrs moderately sloped with one steep slope above ll/WTML Ross W Ross ll/WTML Loch Migdale to the top of e the hill of 1km/ 0.5m with mpb a C a bench part-way-up. e uri a Honest George’s circuit s: L age To Bo Follow in the footsteps of George Dempster MP (1732 - na A'Chraisg' r B To A9 1818) a reforming landlord and tree enthusiast. ridg Spinningdale e Firm, wide path with 4km/ r 100021607. Im 100021607. r occasional rough and 2.5 miles e Ledmore boggy sections. Grassy Allow up numb Oakwood and gravelly surfaces to 1.5hrs e nc SAC/ SSSI e A949 often moderately sloped Lic and with one long steep ey slope above Loch Migdale Surv with a bench at the top. e nc Dornoch Firth a d. Ordn Spinningdale View e rv e s Explore the ancient oakwood and make your way out to a e breath-taking view of Spinningdale and the Dornoch Firth hts r hts beyond. g 1.5km/ Explore one of the most northerly Firm, wide steep gravel path leading to narrow 1 mile All ri 2017. ht oak woods in the UK on the Take the ‘Loch Migdale’ path to g one way ri The two benches on A’Chraisg uneven grassy path with y ‘Spinningdale view’ walk, or take in this fantastic view that moderate slopes. Grassy Allow up take a drive through changes by the hour. These rocks have been handcrafted by Ardgay to 1 hr Craftsman Bill Ross, who captures path can be slippy in wet it on the A949 to are home to rare flowers found weather. in few other locations in something from the landscape Bonar Bridge. Spinningdale Bog is the only Cop p © Crown or the wildlife of the wood to a the country. M valley mire in East Sutherland, a inspire the design. Take the rare and valuable habitat. It is time to admire these home to rare plants, sedges, works of art. sphagnum mosses and dragonflies..