About Glencoe Wood
Glencoe Wood is a fine example of Atlantic oakwood. These are identified as habitat of high importance in the European Union's Habitats Directive. The oakwoods are restricted to the Atlantic coastal fringes of Britain, France, Ireland and Spain and are described in the UK Biodiversity Plan as 'upland oakwoods. They are often described as Britain's temperate rainforest and they are a precious resource for the animals and plants that make it their home. Atlantic oakwoods are found in areas that have a damp, humid climate with high rainfall and acidic soils that have not been altered by human activity, such as cultivation.
Glencoe Wood extends between Glen Duror and Glen Salachan, tucked in below the magnificent Fraochaidh and towering Beinn a' Bheithir. Lairds can explore their land on foot or by bicycle and discover the Wood's history and natural beauty.
We are working with a range of partners, including the Scottish Woodland Alliance and local communities, to make a real difference to Glencoe Wood and the species this ecosystem supports. We also encourage children, local people and visitors to explore, enjoy and better understand Glencoe Wood by providing better access. To date we have identified over 400 species in the Glencoe Wood ecosystem, including hundreds of lower plants, such as lichens, fungi, ferns, mosses and liverworts which all do well in the warm and wet climate. Flowering plants include primroses, bluebells and wood anemones. Summer visitors include songbirds such as redstart, pied flycatcher and wood warbler. Buzzards, red kites and jays use the wood to nest in, and the great spotted woodpecker finds its food in the dead wood. Red and roe deer, hedgehogs and badgers live in the wood along with the now somewhat rare red squirrel and pine marten. Insects such as wood ants are common and there are rare butterflies, such as the chequered skipper in woodland glades.
Glencoe Wood has been flanked by large Sitka Spruce conifer plantations, but still retains all its charm. We have made a significant start in conserving Glencoe Wood. Threatening conifers and invasive shrubs have been cleared and grazing by farm livestock eliminated. This has improved and restored woodland habitat condition, and started natural regeneration of native trees, shrubs and ground flora. Where appropriate, new native broadleaf trees have been planted in protective tubes.
The pure waters of the Salachan Burn flows through the heart of the wood and the keen observer will see the Atlantic Salmon swimming up to the spawning grounds higher up the glen as well as the shy wild brown trout. Spend an hour panning and you may still find a few flakes of native Scottish gold. Tradition has it that Appin gold formed part of the original Scottish crown jewels.
