Forests of the Far North_Guide_Revised_March 2015_Layout 1 24/03/2015 12:37 Page 1

© Crown Copyright 2015 Copyright Crown ©

www.travelinescotland.com

Traveline , 0870 200233 or or 200233 0870 Scotland, Traveline Scotland land Scotland ¼ mile / 0.5 km. ¼ hour ¼ km. 0.5 / mile ¼ (Black)

1¼ miles / 2.1 km. Allow 1 hour 1 Allow km. 2.1 / miles 1¼

1½ miles / 2.4 km. Allow 1 hour 1 Allow km. 2.4 / miles 1½ (Blue) (Green)

on Forestry Commission Forestry on

For information on public transport services contact: services transport public on information For

Shin Falls Salmon Leap: Salmon Falls Shin

Ord Hill trail: Hill Ord Please note: This trail is not is trail This note: Please Broch trail: Broch

Photography by: Forestry Commission Picture Library & Graeme Findlay. Findlay. image: 3. Graeme cover & Front 2015.Edition Library Picture D&IS.20 - K.Allander.March Commission Scotland Forestry by: Commission Photography Forestry Services, Interpretative & Design by: Designed

¾ mile / 1.2 km. Allow ½ hour ½ Allow km. 1.2 / mile ¾ (Red) White dots show link to forest road network road forest to link show dots White Grade Waymarked Trail Waymarked

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail:

Little trail: Shin Loch Little

Tel: 0300 067 5046 067 0300 Tel:

1 mile / 1.6 km. Allow ¾ hour ¾ Allow km. 1.6 / mile 1 (Green)

The Kyle of & Ben More Assynt by

Longer forest loop: forest Longer The Diversity Team Team Diversity The Grade Waymarked Trails Waymarked

please contact: contact: please 1 mile / 1.4 km. Allow ½ hour ½ Allow km. 1.4 / mile 1 (Yellow)

Pond trail: Pond

large print or in another language, another in or print large

a great little loop to walk the dog. the walk to loop little great a

alternative format, for example, in example, for format, alternative

and autumn. You may even spot an otter if you are lucky. are you if otter an spot even may You autumn. and

½ mile / 1.0 km. Allow ½ hour ½ Allow km. 1.0 / mile ½ (Blue) trail through mixed woodland is is woodland mixed through trail

forest flowers in the spring and leaping salmon during summer during salmon leaping and spring the in flowers forest Riverside trail: Riverside

If you need this publication in an in publication this need you If Mr Gunn in 1846 this sheltered sheltered this 1846 in Gunn Mr

at any time of year, but look out for out look but year, of time any at

Named after a local forester forester local a after Named Findlay. Graeme Allow ¼ hour ¼ Allow

The Falls themselves are beautiful beautiful are themselves Falls The

¼ mile / 0.4 km km 0.4 / mile ¼ Also near is Gunn’s Wood. Gunn’s is Lairg near Also (Red)

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail:

Short forest loop: forest Short

Tel: 01466 794161 794161 01466 Tel:

Gunn’s Wood Gunn’s home to the rare aspen hoverfly. aspen rare the to home

Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District Forest Aberdeenshire & Moray

3

shimmering of the aspen trees, trees, aspen the of shimmering

Grade Waymarked Trails Waymarked

150m

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: demonstrations. Look out for the for out Look demonstrations.

Klibreck from the top of the hill. hill. the of top the from Klibreck Tel: 01463 791575 791575 01463 Tel: area, where we hold events and events hold we where area,

Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District District Forest Skye & Ross , 2 Take in the views north to Ben to north views the in Take

You’ll pass our green woodwork woodwork green our pass You’ll map Location

cairns and field clearance heaps. clearance field and cairns contact These areas are great for wildlife. for great are areas These

please please

banks, burnt mounds, burial mounds, burnt banks,

the native riverside woodlands. woodlands. riverside native the

Ferry Wood Ferry

areas

the remains of hut circles, ancient circles, hut of remains the The blue trail takes you through through you takes trail blue The

surrounding huge stone cairn. You also pass also You cairn. stone huge

and and to work up more of an appetite! an of more up work to right past the main feature - a - feature main the past right

Highlands the towering spruce trees if you want you if trees spruce towering the Ferrycroft Centre the path goes path the Centre Ferrycroft

Northern

Follow the longer green trail through trail green longer the Follow Ord Hill: Ord Starting from the from Starting

the rest of the of rest the for wheelchairs and pushchairs. and wheelchairs for

Scotland in Scotland for wheelchairs and pushchairs. and wheelchairs for opens the forest to all, and is suitable is and all, to forest the opens

Commission

Loch Shin. Both trails are suitable are trails Both Shin. Loch From here, a short easy access route access easy short a here, From

from Forestry from

pond and sculpture and wanders along the west bank of Little of bank west the along wanders and sculpture and pond shop, cafe and toilet facilities. facilities. toilet and cafe shop,

available

electric station. The Little Loch Shin trail passes a dragonfly a passes trail Shin Loch Little The station. electric centre, which has a well stocked well a has which centre,

on what’s on

holds back 23 mile long Loch Shin to power the nearby hydro nearby the power to Shin Loch long mile 23 back holds forest from the Falls of Shin visitor Shin of Falls the from forest

information

broch site and get some great views of the Shin dam. The dam The dam. Shin the of views great some get and site broch Achany: Achany:

Start your visit to Achany to visit your Start

For For

Ferry Wood: Ferry Follow the broch trail to visit the 2000 year old year 2000 the visit to trail broch the Follow

Public enquiry line 0845 FORESTS (367 3787) (367 FORESTS 0845 line enquiry Public Ord Hill Ord

Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland Web:

Far North Far

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: Discover Follow us on: us Follow

Tel: 01408 634063 01408 Tel:

and

Business Park, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6UB. 6UB. KW10 Sutherland, Golspie, Park, Business

Enjoy

, The Links, Golspie Links, The , North Forest District Forest Highland North

The Forests of the of Forests The Explore

Contact Contact 1 Forestry Commission Scotland, Scotland, Commission Forestry

Achany Ferry Wood & Ord Hill Ord & Wood Ferry 7 8 - Falls of Shin of Falls -

Highlands Highlands

Northern Northern

Welcome... 1 Rosal 2 Borgie 3 Borgie Glen 4 Rumster 5 Sibster

Rosal: Step back in time at Rosal, a deserted township in Borgie: Planted in the 1920s this was one of the first forests Borgie Glen: Climb the steep Lonesome Pine Trail to meet Strathnaver. Over seventy ruined buildings sit quietly on the in Scotland planted by the Forestry Commission, some of the ‘The Unknown’ sculpture and look out over Borgie Forest with Rumster: Originally crofting ground, which was planted as A local school group hillside overlooking Ben Loyal and the empty, open lands of original trees are still standing and can be viewed from the trail. good views of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope to the west. Look out a commercial timber crop in the 1940s, this forest is picking bog cotton central Sutherland. Rosal was one of many highland The red trail runs along the River Borgie, one of Scotland’s most for the totem pole and the unusual picnic tables as well! gradually changing. There are fine views over the North Sea Sibster: A new broadleaf woodland on the site of an old communities torn apart by the Sutherland Clearances some famous salmon rivers. There are lovely views towards the coast. As the forest has been farm. We planted 350,000 trees here in 2010 and the Pearl-bordered fritillary 200 years ago. This atmospheric place centre of the forest. At the first car park lies a’chraobh. opened up we have exposed alder, beech, birch, oak and rowan are slowly growing into a To A836 and 00.25km stands as a memorial to the folk who Location map This spiral feature and viewpoint was designed and Borgie Bridge many of the archaeological sheltered haven for wildlife and for visitors. Watch out for 0 1/8 ml ...to the forests of the far north. From lived here before the arrival of large created by the local community. We are working 90m remains, look out for long brightly-coloured wildflowers, insects and birds amongst the Syre young trees. heart pumping hikes to easy access routes, scale sheep farming changed the local with the North Sutherland Community Forestry houses and brochs. Keep your way of life for ever. Trust to develop recreational facilities in the forest. eyes open for the local There are two gentle trails through the young woodland and B

8 71 buzzards and roe deer. there is something for everyone to enjoy. 73 meadows, with wide open views across the Caithness 8 B landscape. You can even get to Sibster by train - there's a direct

As well as a great selection of woodland trails, you l 00.25km l i path into the forest from the station at Georgemas Junction.

h 60m

80m Rosal

y 0 1/8 ml Totem can go wild on the natural play features at Camore, t 90m t Pole * River Naver e

B lose yourself on our orienteering courses or stride 42

o 130m

T * The 6 Newtonhill out on the Scotsburn to Strathrory drove road. Unknown Our forests aren’t only about trees, so get near to nature 68 120m Rosal 100m

with some of Scotland’s finest © Crown copyright and database right 110m Souterrain [2014]. All rights reserved. Ordnance wildlife, or step back in time Survery Licence number [100021242]. and discover brochs, battle ver Location map

Devil’s bit scabious 110m Waymarked Trail Grade

sites, burial cairns and more. River Na Cairn Lonesome Pine trail:

(Red) ¾ mile / 1.2 km. Allow ¾ hour Newtonhill: A small and welcoming new community 120m g woodland very close to Wick. It's a safe outdoor place to burn Hut Circles Sheepfold 66 off energy whatever your age – try fishing for wee beasties in To Lair © Crown copyright and database right [2015]. All rights the dipping pond, wander around the gentle paths, or just reserved. Ordnance Survery Licence number [100021242]. Borgie - Waymarked Trails Grade enjoy the panoramic views across Caithness. Red trail: Waymarked Trails Grade You could join the Friends of Newton Hill Waymarked Trail Grade (Red) ¾ mile / 1.2 km. Allow ¾ hour Community Woodland group for an activity Golsary & The Mast loop: day or come along to one of the events run by Clearance Village trail: Blue trail: (Blue) (Green) 3 miles / 4.8 km. Allow 1 hour (Blue) ½ mile / 1 km. Allow ½ hour ½ mile / 0.8 km. Allow ½ hour the Highland Council Countryside Rangers. Rumster Forests of the Far North_Guide_Revised_March 2015_Layout 1 24/03/2015 12:37 Page 2

9 Raven’s Rock Gorge 10 Balblair More places to explore...

Forest Borgie Forests of the Far North Overview map Raven’s Rock Gorge: A magical almost secret place, Balblair: Two trails within walking distance of , the trail descends down by the Allt Mor burn. The forest in the longer green trail has spectacular views over the Kyle of the depths of the gorge has an almost primeval feel from the Sutherland and to the west, . Can you spot the carpets of moss and lichen. You never know what you might newts in the wildlife pond? This is also home to the exhilarating see in our riverside picnic site. Balblair Mountain Bike trails.

Look out for these other Forestry Commission Scotland publications at information points throughout the highlands or by contacting our forest district office (contact details on back of this leaflet): Tongue • Our Guide covers some of Ben Loyal the forests you can explore between the 764 and the Moray Firth.

• Lael Forest Garden has a varied collection of tree species from all around the World. Its well worth a visit on the road to Ullapool.

• Mountain Bike Trails: Fancy getting out on your bike? There are various grades of trails here at Balblair.

Waymarked Trails Grade Waymarked Trails Grade Blue trail: Trail grades (Blue) 1 mile / 1.5 km. Allow ¾ hours Red trail: Forestry Commission Scotland trails are graded Red trail: (Red) 1 mile / 1.6 km. Allow ¾ hour according to the degree of difficulty, gradients and (Red) ¾ mile / 0.9 km. Allow ½ hours Green trail: type of conditions visitors can expect. (Green) 2¼ miles / 3.6 km. Allow 1½ hours MTB Trails Easy Moderate Strenuous Sensible Waterproof Hillwalking footwear footwear boots

Easy Moderate Strenuous 11 Skelbo Muscle Muscle Muscle Loosener Stretcher Builder MTB Trails

Please note: Any symbols that appear Key black indicate they are not Forestry Commission Scotland facilities

Forestry Commission land

Forestry Commission Parking woodland Skelbo: Directly off the A9, this trail starts at the wildlife pond Disabled parking before winding its way through pleasant mixed woodland Other woodland down to the Skelbo burn where you will find remains of a Main road Disabled access 1940s pump house. This once supplied the surrounding farms Secondary road Waymarked Trail Grade Visitor centre with water. On the return to the car park you will pass the site Minor road of a 2000 year old broch, which forms a link in the chain of Toilets Green trail: Forest road strongholds along the coast. Look out for woodland creatures (Green) 1½ miles / 2.4 km. Allow 1 hour carved to the designs of local school children. Road/track Information The forests...... at a glance Footpath Viewpoint Railway/station Picnic place Forest trails 12 Camore 1. Rosal 5. Sibster 9. Ravens Rock Gorge (colour coded) Cycling Link routes Play area Grid ref: NC 690 426 Grid ref: ND 155 596 Grid ref: NC 498 008 (white dots) Sibster is situated just off the A9 next to the Georgemas Follow the B871 south from Bettyhill, turning east towards Follow the A839 from Lairg. 6 miles west of Lairg turn Rights of way Mountain biking Kinbrace at Syre. Just over the bridge you'll see a forest road Junction train station, approximately 1 mile from Halkirk. left and follow the Forestry Commission signs for the trails. Forest archaeology on your right - t he car park is 1½ miles along this road. 9 Trail locator numbers

S Battlefield 6. Newtonhill 10. Balblair HYYA Scottish Youth Hostel Grid ref: ND 341 495 Permanent orienteering 2. Borgie Grid ref: NH 603 930 Other points of interest course Grid ref: NC 665 587 From Wick, take the A882 then the minor road to the south- Take the A836 west from Bonar Bridge for 1 mile. The The car park is 8½ miles west of Bettyhill along the A836. east (towards Tannach) for approximately 1½ miles until you Forestry Commission car park is signposted on the right. Follow the Borgie Forest signs. see the Forestry Commission Newtonhill Croft signs. 11. Skelbo 3. Borgie Glen 7. Ferry Wood & Ord Hill Grid ref: NH 780 194 Grid ref: NC 579 062 Grid ref: NC 665 587 4 miles north of the Dornoch Bridge, follow the brown The car park is situated down a forest road south of the A836, Follow the brown tourist signage to tourist signs east to Skelbo car park. 7 miles west of Bettyhill. Ferrycroft Visitor Centre in Lairg.

Camore: Step back in time at Camore - the forest here holds 12. Camore the remains of 25 hut circles dating back about 2000 years. 4. Rumster 8. Achany - Falls of Shin Grid ref: NH 765 884 A distinctive glacial ridge called an esker dominates much of the Waymarked Trail Grade Grid ref: ND 206 394 Grid ref: NC 572 017 From Dornoch travel west on the A949, then take the road woodland. Today, this forest is being managed under continuous From the south, follow the A9 to the A99 to Wick. Just before From Lairg, take the A839 west, turn left after ½ mile and signposted for Cuthill. 2 miles further, turn right at the cover where the trees are thinned or small pockets are removed Blue trail: Lybster turn left following the sign for Achavanich. follow the tourist signage to Falls of Shin. Forestry Commission signs. (Blue) to allow for natural regeneration of native species. 2 miles / 3.2 km. Allow 1½ hours Continue along this road for 5 miles.