Guide Map to Forests of the Far North

Home , Achany, Bonar Bridge, Camore, Dornoch Firth, Georgemas, Kyle of Sutherland

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

Contact: Explore The Forests of the Forestry and Land Scotland, North Region Enjoy Tel: 0300 067 6100 E-mail: [email protected] Ord Hill and forestryandland.gov.scot Discover Far North Ferry Wood: Follow the broch trail to visit the 2000 year old broch site and get some great views of the Shin dam. The dam Achany: Start your visit to Achany

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

centre, which has a well stocked n

electric station. The Little Loch Shin trail passes a dragonfly a l

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

d Loch Shin. Both trails are suitable From here, a short easy access route e v n r r e s e e opens the forest to all, and is suitable r for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

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r for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

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2 Ord Hill: Starting from the

1 Follow the longer green trail through 2 1 0 2 2 [ 0

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h Ferrycroft Centre the path goes 0 the towering spruce trees if you want g 1 i [

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c huge stone cairn. You also pass n d e n c a i

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The blue trail takes you through h y the remains of hut circles, ancient g e i v r

r Ferry Wood y u p S o the native riverside woodlands. c e banks, burnt mounds, burial

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r These areas are great for wildlife. n d C r o cairns and field clearance heaps. i t © O i d E . Location map You’ll pass our green woodwork 5

1 Take in the views north to Ben 0 2 h c area, where we hold events and r Klibreck from the top of the hill. a M

. Explore further: r e demonstrations. Look out for the d n a l 1 l 5

A Discover the forests of 0 . m shimmering of the aspen trees, Waymarked Trails Grade K 0 2 . Ross and Cromarty and S I

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

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l Short forest loop: d d n n i a l F t

. handy guides. Also near Lairg is Gunn’s Wood. (Red) o ¼ mile / 0.4 km e y c a S m

l The Falls themselves are beautiful

e d n a n o i r i Allow ¼ hour F

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G s e i y at any time of year, but look out for b m m

t e n m a y r o Mr Gunn in 1846 this sheltered s G C s

forest flowers in the spring and leaping salmon during summer Riverside trail: A y & r t e y r s r o e trail through mixed woodland is a r (Blue) r ½ mile / 1.0 km. Allow ½ hour M o

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

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e s e B r e a great little loop to walk the dog. c u i t & v c r i d P e n

S a Pond trail: n l r e o i v e i s t h s t i a

t (Yellow) u 1 mile / 1.4 km. Allow ½ hour S e m r f m p o r

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h Longer forest loop: e n r T g : o i F e s

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y (Green) 1 mile / 1.6 km. Allow ¾ hour a D b

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o g t Waymarked Trail Grade i t (Red) ¾ mile / 1.2 km. Allow ½ hour White dots show link to forest road network n s o o e h r Airson fiosrachadh air còmhdhail phoblach, fòn: D P F For information on public transport services contact: Broch trail: Ord Hill trail: Please note: This trail is not Traveline Scotland: 0871 2002233 Shin Falls Salmon Leap: (Green) 1½ miles / 2.4 km. Allow 1 hour (Blue) 1¼ miles / 2.1 km. Allow 1 hour on Forestry Commission www.travelinescotland.com (Black) ¼ mile / 0.5 km. ¼ hour Scotland land

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 Caithness 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 stands as a memorial to the folk who Location map This spiral feature and viewpoint was designed and many of the archaeological sheltered haven for wildlife and for visitors. Watch out for ...to the forests of the far north. From lived here before the arrival of large created by the local community. We are working 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 there is something for everyone to enjoy. 3 7 buzzards and roe deer. meadows, with wide open views across the Caithness 7 1 8 B landscape. You can even get to Sibster by train - there's a r

e As well as a great selection of woodland trails, you v a direct path into the forest from the station at Georgemas N

r Rosal e

can go wild on the natural play features at Camore , v i Junction.

R lose yourself on our orienteering courses or stride out on the Scotsburn to Strathrory drove road . 6 Newtonhill Our forests aren’t only about trees, so get near to nature with some of Scotland’s finest wildlife , or step back in time and discover brochs, battle Location map sites, burial cairns and more. Devil’s bit scabious Waymarked Trail Grade Lonesome Pine trail: (Red) ¾ mile / 1.2 km. Allow ¾ hour Newtonhill: A small and welcoming new community woodland very close to Wick. It's a safe outdoor place to burn off energy whatever your age – try fishing for wee beasties in the dipping pond, wander around the gentle paths, or just 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 9 Raven’s Rock Gorge Balblair More places to explore... t s e r o F

e i g r o B Forests of the Overview map Raven’s Rock Gorge: A m agical a lmost secret place, Balblair: Two trails within walking distance of Bonar Bridge, 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, Carbisdale Castle. 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 • O ur Ross and Cromarty Guide covers some of Ben Loyal the forests you can explore between the 764 Dornoch Firth 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.

• Kyle of Sutherland 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 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 Disabled parking pond before winding its way through pleasant mixed Other woodland woodland down to the Skelbo burn where you will find Main road Disabled access remains of a 1940s pump house. This once supplied the Secondary road Waymarked Trail Grade Visitor centre surrounding farms with water. On the return to the car park Minor road you will pass the site of a 2000 year old broch, which forms a Toilets Green trail: Forest road link in the chain of strongholds along the coast. Look out for (Green) 1½ miles / 2.4 km. Allow 1 hour woodland creatures carved to the designs of local school Road/track Information children. The forests...... at a glance Footpath Viewpoint Railway/station Picnic place Forest trails 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) Follow the B871 south from Bettyhill, turning east towards Sibster is situated just off the A9 next to the Georgemas 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 HYA 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 Forestry The car park is 8½ miles west of Bettyhill along the A836. east (towards Tannach) for approximately 1½ miles until you 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.