The perfect time of year to search for Scotland’s overlooked wildlife
North Arkaig, credit Richard Thompson
With spectacular colours, wildlife on the move, and fewer midges to worry about, winter is a great season for visiting Scotland’s rainforest.
Sites range from the stunning oak woods that fringe Loch Lomond, to ancient hazel woods near Oban, and the remote mountainous pine woods of Beinn Eighe near Ullapool. They’re full of rare and fascinating wildlife, including species that are found nowhere else, and are particularly important for mosses, liverworts and lichens.
Autumn to spring is a good time to enjoy these small and overlooked species, as they continue growing all year and often plump up and look their best in the rain. The colder seasons also mean that trees and ferns, which can obscure lichens and mosses in the summer, die back.
Here are some suggested sites to visit this winter:
Inversnaid
The oakwood of Inversnaid turning stunning colours in autumn. Credit Andy Robinson
On the shores of Loch Lomond, you can drive to Inversnaid via Aberfoyle, or walk in on the West Highland Way. The ancient oakwood stretches up the hillside from the loch, and if you fancy a climb, there are some fantastic views.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/inversnaid
Crinan Wood
For more fantastic views, head to Crinan wood near Oban, which looks out over Loch Crinan and Duntrune Castle. This ancient oakwood is full of rare lichens, mosses and liverworts, but is also home to red squirrels, otters and a huge range of birds.
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/crinan-wood
Pucks Glen
Take a wander around this incredible gorge, with its beautiful waterfalls and spectacular range of mosses and liverworts. You might not give these plants a second glance in the summer, but at this time of the year, they really come into their own.
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/argyll-forest-park/pucks-glen
Ariundle
The green pillows of moss at Ariundle have to be seen to be believed! This National Nature Reserve is an ancient oak wood near Strontian, with a huge range of biodiversity. Along with other woodlands around Loch Sunart, it forms the largest area of this type of oak wood in the UK.
Quinag
Set amidst this dramatic range of peaks in Assynt you’ll find remnants of ancient woodland. The rainforest here grows on the northern side of Quinag, and is made up of birch, rowan, hazel, aspen and oak. This wild and remote site is home to tenacious wildlife.
Mossy trees at Glen Nant NNR. Credit Andy Robinson
Glen Nant
A secluded ancient rainforest situated just south of Taynuilt that’s teeming with wildlife. A mix of hazel, oak and birch, Glen Nant had an industrial past, and the trees were once used for charcoal production. Now it’s fantastic for lichens and liverworts.
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/glen-nant
Glenborrodale
Home to a huge variety of wildlife, including otters and elusive wildcats, Glenborrodale is a great place for an autumn walk. It sits on the shore of Loch Sunart, and is a mix of oak woodlands, upland, and coastal habitats.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/glenborrodale
Dunollie Wood
Only a stone's throw from Oban town centre, this small wood surprises with its views and variety. The hazel trees drip with mosses and liverworts, and if you look carefully, you might spot the hazel gloves fungus, a rainforest specialist.
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/dunollie-wood/
Beinn Eighe
Part of the woodland at Benin Eighe is an area of temperate rainforest that’s thought to be around 8000 years old! It’s a mix of Scots pine, birch, rowan and alder, which are now in their autumn colours of reds and golds.
Oak trees in winter at Barnluasgan. Credit Stan Philips
Barnluasgan
The hazel trees at Barnluasgan are covered in specialist rainforest lichens, while all around lie huge mounds of mosses and liverworts. The lochs here are also home to beavers, and you may see signs of their activities while walking the trails.
Winter weather can make visiting the Highlands more of a challenge. It’s always best to check with local information before travelling, and keep an eye on the weather forecast!
Check out our interactive map for more places to visit: https://savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk/map
