Glen Creran

Removal of Rhododendron ponticum at Glen Creran - Image Gordon Gray Stephens

Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust is working with the community of Glen Creran (near Appin) to deliver a landscape-scale approach to controlling rhododendron.

This project involves Rhododendron ponticum clearance, plus training and equipment for the local community to enable them to take ownership of the issue in Glen Creran. The project is also introducing the wider community and local school children to the delights of the glen through a programme of education and guided walks.

The importance of Glen Creran

Why is Glen Creran so important? The oakwoods of Glen Creran are part of Scotland’s rainforest - one of the few habitats in Scotland that are of outstanding global importance. The woods support a rich community of mosses and lichens including 23 globally vulnerable or near-threatened species. The site has been identified as a top priority for complete rhododendron removal to conserve the oakwoods for future generations.

Sustainability

By involving the local community and providing them with the knowledge, skills, and tools to manage rhododendron we are ensuring that they are equipped to continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action once the main control programme ends. It is hoped that lessons learned from this project will help to inform rhododendron ponticum control in other areas of Argyll, and beyond.

For more general information about invasive non-native species and what you could do to identify and report invasive non-native species, including Rhododendron ponticum, in your area read our conservation and biodiversity section.

Glen Creran funding

The project builds upon previous work undertaken by the former Forestry Commission Scotland, and is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, NatureScot and Scottish Forestry until 2021.

Glen Creran project updates

You can learn more about Rhododendron ponticum and how it threatens native habitats in our blog Pesky ponticum (part one) - what's so bad about rhododendron? The second part of the blog Pesky ponticum (part two) - a community-led conservation effort further describes the Glen Creran project and how it has been used to showcase landscape scale rhododendron control in action for the benefit of other communities and organisations.

As part of the legacy of the project, community volunteers will be trained in the identification, control and removal of invasive rhododendron. In November 2019, 10 residents from the glen took part in a workshop called "Getting to know your enemy". Throughout the day, attendees learned techniques and tools for controlling the regrowth of invasive rhododendron without using chemicals. They were also given a demonstration of how to make soil improving biochar from cut rhododendron.

Find out more about the Glen Creran project on the Act Now website