For

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available from

Forestry

Commission

Scotland

in the rest of

Argyll and

surrounding

areas please

contact

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Forestry Commission Scotland West Argyll Forest District Whitegates, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8RSTel: 01546 602518e-mail:westargyll@forestry.gsi.gov.ukWeb: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

Public enquiry line 0845 FORESTS (367 3787)

Forestry Commission ScotlandCowal & Trossachs Forest District Tel: 01877 382383e-mail: cowal&trossachs@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Forestry Commission ScotlandLochaber Forest District Tel: 01397 702184e-mail: lochaber@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Forestry Commission ScotlandTay Forest District Tel: 01350 727284e-mail: tay@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

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If you need this publication in analternative format, for example, inlarge print or in another language,please contact:

The Diversity Team Tel: 0131 314 6575E-mail: diversity@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

A stroll through Dalavich Oakwoods

1 Dalavich 2 ArdcastleBetween the LochsThe forest that stretches between Loch Awe andLoch Avich is by turns dramatic, peaceful andinspirational. Three trails loop through it from theBarnaline car park located a mile north ofDalavich. Pass through ancient Atlantic oakwoodon the DalavichOakwood trail or bravethundering waterfallsand rapids on the AvichFalls trail. The LochAvich trail crosses forestthat is home to redsquirrels, red deer andpine martens beforefollowing an unspoiltshoreline.

Loch Avich Trail5 miles/8 km - Allow 2½ hrs

Dalavich Oakwood Trail2 miles/3.2 km - Allow 1 hr

Avich Falls Trail1¾ miles/2.8 km - Allow 45 min

EasySensible Footwear

ModerateWaterproof Footwear

StrenuousHillwalking Boots

EasyMuscle Loosener

ModerateMuscle Stretcher

StrenuousMuscle Builder

Trails are graded according to degree of difficulty andtype of conditions to be expected.

What the trail symbols mean

Please remember that the weatheron the hills can change very quickly. Even in summer, conditions on highground are often much colder and

windier than at low levels, despite clearskies. If you are venturing off our waymarked trailsonto the higher hills and mountains, here are somepointers for a safe and enjoyable trip.

• Be properly equipped

• Plan your route carefully and stick to it

• Tell someone where you are going and when youexpect to return

• Take adequate warm & waterproof clothing• Wear suitable footwear

• Take sufficient food and drink

• Carry map & compass, know how to use them

• Turn back if it gets too hard for you

• In emergencies call 999 and ask for the POLICE

Take care on the hills

Information Centre

In the Living Forest This forest is bursting with wildlife.Three trails descend through woodedhills and skirt pebble beaches from thecar park off the A83, eight miles fromLochgilphead. Watch common sealsand eider ducks as you picnic by LochFyne. Roe and sika deer often grazeamong the trees. The ancient ruins of StBride’s Chapel stand in a graveyard onthe Ardcastle Point trail. The shorterCrag trail climbs to a great viewpointover the loch.

Ardcastle Point Trail5 miles/8 km - Allow 3 hrs

Crag Trail1 mile/1.6 km - Allow 45 min

Hazel Burn Trail2 miles/3.2 km - Allow 1 hr

Tiugainn leam gu Taobh Loch Fìne

Thàin’ an samhradh buidhe braonach,Tha na h-uillt air dol ’nan caochain,Eòin a’ seinn am mullach chraobhanMuir is speuran dhut mar sgàthan!

Nuair tha ’n saoghal gu tur air ùrach’,Nuair tha ’m fraoch an-siud fo ùr-bhlàth,Mil is bainne mar am bùrn ann,Cò nach dlùth’cheadh ris a’ Ghàidhealtachd?

bho Taobh Loch Fìne, le Eòghann MacColla, Bàrd Loch Fìne

Avich fallsDiscover a landscape carved from

rock, cloaked with trees and haunted by legend. This is where the

kingdom of Scotland was born.

Gaze over breathtaking views, watch iconicwildlife, ponder ancient monuments or simplyembrace the tranquillity to be found in the

remarkably diverse forests of Mid Argyll & Kintyre.

Walkers can explore these native and timber-producing woodlands along waymarked trails,some shared with cyclists and horse riders.

Fàilte do na coilltean aig cridhe ShiorrachdEarra-Ghàidheal, a' sìneadh eadar Loch Obha

agus Cinn Tìre. Fàilte do chreathall Rìoghachd nah-Alba, làn dualchais, eachdraidh, agus

bòidhchead nàdair.

Fialaidheachd na Coille

Théid fiodh à Earra-Ghàidhealùisneachadh fhathast airsonthaighean-còmhnaidh agusconnaidh, ach ri linnRìoghachd nan Eileangheibhte na h-uibhir eilebhon choille, eadar an dubh-sgrìobhaidh a thigeadh bhochnòthan-daraich, agus ambàta seang lùbach, air a togailà iomadach craobh-dharaich,craobh-ghiuthais, craobh-leamhain is eile, air an robh a’ bhirlinn.

The Forests of

Mid Argylland Kintyre

ExploreEnjoy

and

Discover

4 Achnabreac 6 Crinan

Water and WoodlandKilmichael Forest swathes the hills in green rightaround Loch Glashan reservoir. From the carpark off the A83, one trail circles throughpleasant broadleaved woodland about GlashanBurn while another heads through conifers topass Risby’s Loch, a haven for dragonflies.

The Original Brit ArtA lost culture hastransformed the rock facesof Achnabreac into aprehistoric art gallery. The trail from the car parkoff the A816 three milesnorth of Lochgilphead leadsto Britain’s most extensivespread of enigmatic “cupand ring” symbols. Carved

Taking the Plunge

The forest cascades down the craggy slopes ofKnapdale at Dunardry (from the Gaelic Dùn Àrd-Rìgh or Àrd-ruighe, height of the high king or highbrae). Four trails can be reached from parking offthe B841 Crinan road and on a lane south ofCairnbaan. A rough scramble to the summit of AnCruach Mòr is rewarded with wonderful views,sometimes shared with buzzards and ravens.The exhilarating Near to Nature trail climbs andcrosses Dunardry Burn while the easy access Green Gate Loop also bridges the gorge.

An Unforgettable View

The trail rises from Atlantic oakwood by Crinanharbour, passing through conifers onto forest roadswith stunning views over the Sound of Jura and

the InnerHebrides. Thesteep climb tothe ruined dunof CastleDounie isparticularlymemorable.

some 4,000 years ago, their meaning has beenforgotten. There are good views towards Knapdale and Loch Fyne.

Bikes and Birds

An easy access trail meanders around low-lyingwetlands, dotted with broadleaved trees andfringed with conifers. Wildfowl can be watchedfrom a hide. Cycle routes cross the forest,including the Fire Tower mountain bike trail.

Crinan Trail3 miles/4.8 km - Allow 2-3 hrs

Risby’s Loch Trail2 miles/3.2 km - Allow 1 hr

Glashan Burn Trail1 mile/1.6 km - Allow 45 min

Achnabreac Trail1½ miles/2.3 km - Allow 45 min

Dun na Maraig Trail½ mile/0.7 km

Dunardry Trail3 miles/4.8 km - Allow 2 hrs

Bardarroch Trail21/3 miles/3.7 km - Allow 1¼ hrs

Near to Nature1½ miles/2.4 km - Allow 45 min

Green Gate Loop285 yds/¼ km

5 Dunardry

Castle Dounie ©Kilmartin House Trust www.scran.ac.uk

A decorated rock face at Achnabreac ©Kilmartin House Trust (David Lyons) www.scran.ac.ukAncient mystery

3 Glashan

7 Knapdale 8 Kilmory

11 Beinn Ghuilean10 Carradale9 Tarbert

The Return of the BeaverIn the heart of Knapdale forest you can watchwildlife, explore ruins, discover lochs andencounter a long-absent animal. Three car parkslink to trails off the B8025 to Tayvallich, with aninformation centre at Barnluasgan. Beavers werereintroduced to Knapdale (from the NorseCnapadal, Lumpy Hill Valley, adopted intoGaelic) after centuries of absence. You mightspot one at dusk or dawn from the Loch Coille-Bharr trail. You will certainly see the felled trees,ingenious dams and flooded woodland.Discover more atwww.scottishbeavers.org.uk

The easy access Wildlife trail circles peacefulBarnluasgan Loch.

A short trail from theGleann a Gealbhancar park leads to theevocative ruins ofArichonan, whosepeople were evictedin 1848.

In the Castle GroundsFrom the car park at KilmoryCastle, trails snake through awoodland park once plantedwith rhododendrons nowreclaimed by nature. Picnicby Kilmory Loch, watchwildfowl or climb Dun Morfor views over Lochgilphead.

Above the Norseman’s Harbour

This is a legendary place. Climb above thepretty fishing port with its medieval castle forspectacular views to either side of Kintyre. The trails lead off from the quayside.

Norsemen hauled their boats overland andRobert the Bruce turned a castle into a royalstronghold at Tarbert. Native broadleaves areregenerating around the gentle Tarbert Castletrail. Higher up on the Corranbuie trail youmight glimpse golden eagles, as well as roeand sika deer and black grouse.

Hilltop DramaFrom Cnoc nan Gabhar, sweepyour gaze from Ben Cruachan –Argyll’s highest point – to theisland of Arran. Two routes leadto the summit while Sally’s trailexplores the woodland below.Park in Carradale (from theNorse Càrradal, BrushwoodValley), off the B879.

The diverse forest supportsabundant wildlife, includingred, sika and roe deer, blackand red grouse and many birds of prey.

Deer Hill Trail3 miles/4.8 km - Allow 2 hrs

Sally’s Trail1 mile/1.6 km - Allow 40 min

Kirnashie Trail6 miles/9.7 km - Allow 3 hrs

Beinn Ghuilean Trail1½ miles/2.4 km - Allow 2 hrs

On the Shoulders of a GiantClimb Beinn Ghuilean (from the Gaelic BeinnGhualainn, Hill of the Shoulders) for stunningviews and rich wildlife. The trail passes throughmixed forest from the southern fringes ofCampbeltown.

These forests areplaces to work aswell as enjoy. Pleasewatch out for vehiclesand follow any signsyou see, to ensureyou have a safe visit.

WarningForest

OperationsPlease obey all signs & directions

We apologize for any inconvenience

No unauthorisedpersons allowedbeyond this point

We apologize for any inconvenience

Wildlife Trail1 mile/1.6 km - Allow 1 hr

Barnluasgan Oakwood Trail1½miles/2.4 km - Allow 1 hr

Loch Coille-Bharr Trail3 miles/4.8 km - Allow 2 hrs

Arichonan Township1¼miles/2 km - Allow 1 hr

Kilmory Loch Trail2 miles/3.2 km - Allow 1 hr

Kilmory Red Trail1 mile/1.6 km - Allow 30 min

Fearann mo Rùin Cinn Tìre

Neul a’ snàmh air an speur,Duilleach eadar è ’s mo shùil;Ùr bàrr-uaine gruag a’ bheithe,Leug nan leitir cas mun Lùib.

bho Do Bheithe Bòidheach, le bàrd an Tairbeirt Deòrsa mac Iain Deòrsa

Land of my Love Kintyre

A cloud swimming in the sky,Foliage between it and my eye;Fresh and green-topped the tresses of the birch,A jewel of the steep slopes about Loup.

From To a Beautiful Birch Tree, by Tarbert poet George Campbell Hay

Tarbert Castle Trail1 mile/1.6 km - Allow 45 min

Corranbuie Trail3 miles/4.8 km - Allow 2 hrs

“We can begin to seehow handsome someof the mixed plantingis going to be, with allthe colours of larchand Scotch [pine] andthe various sprucesand cypresses.”

Naomi Mitchison,Carradale, 1955

European Beaver

Artist enjoying the peace of Arichonan

Kilmory Loch

GoldenEagle

Tarbert Castle Trail

Arran from Cnoc nan Gabhar

1 Dalavich

2 Ardcastle

3 Glashan

4 Achnabreac

5 Dunardry

6 Crinan

7 Knapdale

8 Kilmory

9 Tarbert

10 Carradale

11 Beinn Ghuilean

Welcome to the forests in the heart of Argyll, stretching from Loch Awe to Kintyre. Welcome to the cradle of the Kingdom of Scotland, full of heritage, history, and natural beauty.

The Forests of

Mid Argylland Kintyre

The Mull of Kintyre coastline ©Scottish Viewpoint

Permitsfor fishing

at Loch Awe, Loch Avich andLoch Glashan areavailable at

local hotels andtackle shops

Key to maps