Weeds Survey for Area carried out during July-August 2004.

Summary.

The overall assessment of the problem in the Cowal area shows most shorelines and verges etc have been invaded by Japanese Knotweed. There is big increase of Ragwort in the area, mainly on roadside verges, but also evident along many shorelines. Rosebay Willow Herb and Himalayan Balsam thrives on most verges. No Giant Hogweed was found on Council-owned ground. The roads showing the worst invasion of Ragwort were the Trunk road from Oyster Bar to Arrochar, and the Clachaig to Tarsan Dam road. It was noted that on the trunk road, BEAR had treated the facing edge of roadside clumps of Japanese Knotweed, and left the rest of the clump untreated; they are also using a non-selective chemical that is killing everything in the vicinity. No other weeds have been treated on the trunk road. Private and unadopted roads were not included in this survey.

Detail.

Dunoon Cemetery. Japanese Knotweed on waste ground.

Moir Street Car Park Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort at Church Street end of car park.

Dunoon High road – Sandbank Ragwort evident as small patches/individual plants along roadside verges. Also Rosebay Willowherb and Japanese Knotweed patches.

Sandbank Village Shore Road Ragwort growing on seaward side of sea wall between Oakbank and Robertson’s Yard site. Verge south of Broxwood Picnic Site, there is large area of Japanese Knotweed. Verge north of Picnic Site, many Ragwort plants, lots of Rosebay Willowherb. Main Road at turnoff to Clachaig, Ragwort and Japanese Knotweed.

Main A815 Glen Massan junction to Lochgoilhead turn-off. Ragwort on verges at Massan junction, and large patches on verges at Coylet Caravan Park. Spreading patch of Japanese Knotweed on each side of Kilmun Bridge. Lot of Ragwort and Japanese Knotweed growing on verges around Rashfield Chalet area. Benmore straight, intermittent patches of Ragwort and Japanese Knotweed. verges, some intermittent Ragwort plants. Outbreak of Japanese Knotweed opposite Whistlefield, also on straight to north side of Whistlefield. More Japanese Knotweed growing at top end of Loch Eck on verges. Main road through village, some Ragwort growth, also large patches of Rosebay Willowherb. Bottom of car park at Forest View, Strachur, Japanese Knotweed spreading. Strachur Bay heading North, large amounts of Himalayan Balsam on both sides of road. Approaching St Catherine’s from Strachur side, numerous patches of Japanese Knotweed, also at entrance to Roads Dept depot, both sides of the road on north side of village. Between depot and Lochgoilhead turn-off, numerous Ragwort plants on verges.

Lochgoilhead turn-off to Lochgoilhead Near junction, large patch Japanese Knotweed (Forestry ground?) Long straight approx 1 mile from village, Japanese Knotweed growing patchily along verges.

Sandbank – Dunoon Shore Road Ardnadam car park, Ragwort on roadside and seaward side. (Seaward side private?) Disused Shell depot opposite Ardnadam Pier is overgrown with Ragwort. Sandbank side of Lazaretto Point, Japanese Knotweed outbreak. Hafton Bay, seaward side of sea wall and landward verge; outbreaks of Ragwort along length of bay. 30mph limit to Western Ferries, large patches of Japanese Knotweed, some Ragwort and Rosebay Willowherb. Shoeline between Western Ferries and Kirn Gardens, numerous patches of Japanese Knotweed Small area of grass beside Kirn Variety Store (Privately owned?) numerous Ragwort plants growing. Gap site between Baptist Centre and Pool, Japanese Knotweed thriving.

West Bay Play Area – Port Lamont Area south of old lido, seaward side opposite Morag’s Glen to start of 40mph limit, Japanese Knotweed, Ragwort and Rosebay Willowherb grows unabated. Ragwort growing from landward side of pavement at 40mph sign. Opposite ‘Kilmory’ on landward side, large area of Ragwort. Substation at Bullwood Quarry, Ragwort plants. Bullwood Road opposite ‘Bull Rock’ on landward side, very large area of Ragwort growing on top of French drain. On shore opposite Garail, substantial area of Japanese Knotweed. Shore side of Tor Alluinn Picnic Site, very large area of Japanese Knotweed, sporadic Ragwort plants are growing on gravelled areas, in the drainage ditch and among the Knotweed. At the start of the straight leading to the 30mph limit on the north side of Innellan, the garden of a large property (Cluniter House?) is infested with Japanese Knotweed. This weed is growing under the wall into the area between the heel-kerb and the perimeter wall and though it was cleared last season, is showing signs of recovery. Approaching the Innellan 30mph limit from the north, Japanese Knotweed is breaking through the slabs on the slope of the seawall. Across the road from this, there is a very large area of Japanese Knotweed growing from the banking that fronts the new bungalows in the area. (Ownership of banking not known at this time.) Cluniter Picnic Site, large presence of Japanese Knotweed and some Ragwort along shoreline. Opposite ‘Rimrock’ to Innellan Pier, large areas of Japanese Knotweed and small areas of Himalayan Balsam and a few Ragwort plants. At ‘Dunadd’ opposite Innellan War Memorial, Japanese Knotweed grows on the seaward side of the wall, and is breaking through the tarmac on the road side of wall. Seaward side of wall opposite Innellan shops, some Ragwort plants. Innellan shops to Sandy Beach, there are numerous small patches of Japanese Knotweed and Rosebay Willowherb. Sandy Beach, at Dunoon end of grass area, a few Ragwort plants on shoreline and along side of burn emerging under road. Mid-way along Sandy Beach sea wall, early signs of Japanese Knotweed taking hold. Single Ragwort plant growing seaward side of wall near toilets. At the Toward corner of Sandy Beach car park, Ragwort plants and Knotweed growing on shore. Shoreline between Newton Park and Millionaires Row, large outbreaks of Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort. Millionaires Row, outbreak of Ragwort on heel kerb. Road from Toward Straight to Lighthouse, large outbreak of Japanese Knotweed and some Ragwort. (Owned by local farmer?) Both verges of road and shoreline around Toward Picnic Site, many outbreaks of Ragwort, most dense at top of shoreline. On seaward verge at Ardyne side of Picnic site, very large outbreaks of Ragwort. Between Picnic site and Toward Sailing Club, large outbreaks of Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort, both sides of road, Rosebay Willowherb near Sailing Club. Around perimeter area of Toward Village Hall, numerous Ragwort plants. On verge adjacent to Ardyne Farm, Ragwort growing both sides farm entrance; also much Ragwort evident inside farm entrance. Port Lamont, Ragwort plant on seaward verge. Passing place opposite site of demolished NATO Staff quarters, plenty Ragwort plants on seaward side. Many Ragwort plants on site of demolished houses. (NATO property?) Entrance to NATO base, Ragwort on both sides of road. NATO base to dead-end, sporadic Ragwort plants along verges, with the most concentration at the old Schoolhouse. Also sporadic patches of Japanese Knotweed.

Dalinlongart Junction to /Glendaruel Junction. Main road at Dalinlongart tip entrance, Japanese Knotweed both sides. At junction into Glen Saul tip site, patches of Ragwort. Ditch and banking through Clachaig village, Ragwort medium presence. Between Clachaig and Tarsan Dam, very heavy presence of Ragwort, on verges and beyond; also numerous outbreaks of Japanese Knotweed, some of which will be on Forestry property. Between Tarsan Dam and Tarsan generating station, medium patches of Japanese Knotweed and some Ragwort.

Junction Dunoon/Colintraive/Couston Couston Road, just past Colintraive church, large patches of Japanese Knotweed, and small amount Ragwort.

Glendaruel to Strachur road Turnoff into Clachan of Glendaruel, large area Rosebay Willowherb at junction. Road in Clachan leading to church, numerous Ragwort plants along edge of burn. Main road from Clachan of Glendaruel to West Glendaruel turn-off, numerous areas of Rosebay Willowherb, and occasional Ragwort plants. West Glendaruel road, occasional Ragwort plants along verges, and in a farmyard. Strachur to Newton Road, outbreaks of Japanese Knotweed along this road, and occasional Ragwort plant. Numerous areas of Himalayan Balsam and Rosebay Willowherb opposite the bungalows in Strachur Bay. Junction at Strachur Bay, large amounts of Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Rosebay Willowherb.

Glendaruel – Tighnabruaich Road Seaward verge between phone box and Viking’s grave, Japanese Knotweed on shoreline. On hill leading into Tighnabruaich, large crop of Japanese Knotweed adjacent to ‘Tighnabruaich’ sign.

Tighnabruaich Shore Road, North of village. Large amount of Japanese Knotweed along shoreline, and continue along unadopted road past boatyard.

Tighnabruaich – Kames road Occasional Ragwort plants along seaward verge. Japanese Knotweed re-growing along front to Royal Hotel. New Japanese Knotweed growing on north side of Tighnabruaich Service Station, well established area of Japanese Knotweed to south side of Service Station. Along shoreline to south of Service Station, the Japanese Knotweed is re-growing vigorously. Entrance to Kames Playing Field, large crop of Japanese Knotweed. Banking below road at Kames playing field, various Ragwort plants. ‘Y’ junction leading to Kames Hotel, Ragwort on high banking above road, and on verges and grass areas around Kames Hotel. Tight bend onto shore section of road at Kames Hotel, Ragwort on verges and inside railing on KH ground. Kames High Road/Shore Road junction, Japanese Knotweed appearing on shoreline. Road to Blair’s Landing, patches of Himalayan Balsam and some Ragwort plants. Along shoreline at Blair’s Landing, very heavy growth of Japanese Knotweed tangled with Bramble. Occasional Ragwort plants around Blair’s Landing verges. Blair’s Landing to Ardlamont Point, numerous patches of Japanese Knotweed.

Portavadie Ferry Terminal Small amount of Ragwort and small outbreak of Japanese Knotweed on verge.

Kames – Millhouse Road Small amounts Ragwort, and small growth Japanese Knotweed. Brae, leading up from Royal Hotel Ragwort growing from behind heel kerb, and at top of brae on verge at school junction.

Newton – Strathlachlan Road Ragwort and Japanese Knotweed growing at Newton/Main Road junction. Various patches of Ragwort, Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam along this road.. Half mile past Inver Cottage, large area of Japanese Knotweed. Strathlachlan Cemetery, few Ragwort plants.

Inver Cottage – Otter Ferry Occasional Ragwort plants on verges. Bay approaching Otter Ferry, numerous Ragwort plants, both sides of road.

Kames - Kilfinan Road Near to Drum Farm, small patch of Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort plants. More Ragwort beside drinking well. A few Ragwort plants dotted along this road.

Trunk Road from Oyster Bar to Arrochar Bridge Very heavy presence of Ragwort all along both verges, except for top of Rest and Be Thankful. Japanese Knotweed and Rosebay Willowherb present along lochside stretch of road leading to Arrochar. Footpath from Glenloin Crescent to main road, Japanese Knotweed on both sides of path.

Top of Rest and Be Thankful to Lochgoilhead/Hell’s Glen Junction. Intermittent Ragwort plants on verges.

Kilmun Bridge to A815/Whistlefield Junction via Ardentinny Junction to Kilmun Police Station, large patches Ragwort, Japanese Knotweed and Rosebay Willowherb. Shoreside at Kilmun Cemetery, Large crops of Japanese Knotweed Kilmun Cemetery to Kilmun Pier, various patches of Japanese Knotweed and Rosebay Willowherb; occasional Ragwort plants. Kilmun Pier to Graham’s Point, numerous patches of Rosebay Willowherb, and occasional Ragwort plants. Perimeter of Graham’s Point, large patches of Japanese Knotweed around seaward side. Graham’s Point to Midge Lane, numerous patches of Japanese Knotweed and Rosebay Willowherb. Full length Midge Lane, large amounts Ragwort in and behind roadside ditch. Bottom of Dunselma Road, on gap site and seaward side of road, Ragwort. Head of Strone Pier, Ragwort clumps. From Blairmore sign adjacent to Strone House to Blairmore village, clumps of Ragwort, large amounts of Rosebay Willowherb and Japanese Knotweed. Head of Blairmore Pier, large crop of Japanese Knotweed and Rosebay Willowherb and numerous Ragwort plants across road from Pier. Blairmore Pier to Blairmore Bridge, patches of Japanese Knotweed, Rosebay Willowherb and occasional Ragwort plants. Grass ‘island’ at landward side of road, Blairmore Bridge, large clump Rosebay Willowherb. Ardentinny side of Blairmore Bridge, large outbreaks of Ragwort. Road passing Gairletter Caravan Site, large outbreaks of Ragwort. Between Gairletter and Ardentinny, numerous outbreaks Japanese Knotweed. Ardentinny village, in front of new bungalows, large outbreaks of Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, and some Ragwort. Shoreline to front of Ardentinny Hotel, large clump of Rosebay Willowherb. Car park at toilets, clump of Ragwort to right side of entrance. Ardentinny to top of hill above Whistlefield, various clumps of Rosebay Willowherb and occasional Ragwort plants. Travelling downhill to Whistlefield, heavy growth of Ragwort. Whistlefield/A815 junction, Ragwort on both sides of road.