Natural History

Wild Woods at Craigmonie

The following is an extract from the Forestry Commission Scotland website  - the original webpage can be found HERE   

Glen Urquhart
Highland
Scotland
Drumnadrochit, Lewiston, Balnain, and Inverness are the nearest towns or villages.
OS Grid Reference: NH 503 294

Craigmonie woodland is a mixture of planted conifers and birchwoods. There are also some specimen conifers, planted in the 1800's by the estate landowner of the time. It is a community wood managed with the full involvement of Craigmonie Woodland Association. There is a network of waymarked walks that link up with the adjacent Balmacaan wood, owned by Woodland Trust Scotland.

Mammals: The usual woodland animals - mice, voles, shrew, stoat and weasel make their home here. The wood is also visited by foxes, badgers and pine marten too. You may not see these animals but look out for signs that they have been around. We have information about Red squirrel, Roe deer and Badger
Birds: This is a great place for bird watching - summer migrants like black cap, willow warbler, tree pipit and redstart are heard in the summer. Resident birds - wren, tree creeper, tits, woodpeckers, crossbills and many more can be seen all year round. The local school has put up nest boxes to provide nesting sites in the younger planted trees.
Insects and reptiles: On warm summer days - look out for insects, slow worms and lizards. The reptiles are not easy to see but beetles, butterflies, bees, dragonflies and other insects are. We have information about Pearl-bordered fritillary
Habitats: Birchwoods are common in Glenurquhart.
 
How to get to Craigmonie Woodlands:
From the A82 at Drumnadrochit, turn up onto Pitkerrald Road. After 200 metres, take the left hand fork onto a rough farm track, then another left hand fork soon after. Craigmonie woodland is another 200 metres along here on the west side of the track.
There is no parking, so it is better to park in the village carpark, adjacent to the A82 and follow these directions on foot.
There is a bus service between Inverness and Fort Augustus which stops at Drumnadrochit.
 
Other places to go in this area
Great Glen Forest
Glen Affric
 

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Site Last Updated - 30/08/2010 13:19:29
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