The Cormonachan Community Woodlands are 63.9 ha (158 acres) of ancient Atlantic oak & hazel woodlands and part of Scotland’s Rainforest and have the status of being ‘Ancient Semi Natural Woodlands’ (ASNW) being preserved for Education, Conservation and Recreation.

The community woodlands area on the west shore of Loch Goil, between Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle, Argyll is a joint woodlands project that was started in 1998, with co-operation between Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre, Lochgoil Community Trust, Lochgoil Primary School and Forest Enterprise Scotland and then under a not-for-profit organisation, Cormonachan Woodlands Association, between 2015 and 31st March 2020. From 1st April 2020, the Association was converted to a limited company by guarantee, Cormonachan Community Woodlands Ltd., company number SC657915 and is now from March 2021 a registered Scottish Charity SC050840.

The woodlands are currently used for educational purposes by Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre, (AOEC Trust Ltd.) school and youth groups and by Lochgoil Primary School for projects and for recreational walks by local residents of Carrick Castle, Lochgoilhead and visitors to the area.

Conservation of the 63.9-hectares including a 8.9 ha PAWS area (planted by FLS in 2014) in the woodlands is ongoing year by year with adult volunteers and school groups undertaking the majority of the work required to reclaim, preserve and maintain the ecology of the woodlands for future generations. Since 1st April 2020,  Cormonachan Community Woodlands Ltd now has over 100 fully signed and paid up members (Life Members, Full Members, Associate Members and Corporate Members).  It would appear that the Covid-19 Pandemic situation has affected our membership considerably since we had 139 members up to 31st March 2020. We hope all those past members will eventually join the new organisation.

The current 2.5 km of circular woodlands paths that have been made are now ideal for recreation. Walking along the paths can now be a year-round activity to help local people and visitors to the area keep fit. ‘Green Gym’ is the current word for exercising outside that can be done in tranquil and beautiful surroundings and dogs are welcome but ‘Leave No Trace’. There is a Red Squirrel Hide and Contemplation Shelter alongside the Squirrel Trail that are open all year round 24/7.

Cormonachan Community Woodlands Ltd (CCW) in Loch Goil manages the woodlands with a 20-year Lease from 1st April 2021 from the Forestry and Land Scotland. Anyone interested in volunteering to help with conservation should visit our Volunteering page where you can Register and Book Volunteers Days. You can also contact our Volunteers Leader, Frances Walker for further information at Volunteers@cormonachan-woodlands.co.uk, as help is always needed… Volunteers Days are usually on a Thursday or Friday, each once a month from 10 am to 4 pm.

If you are interested in supporting our organisation by joining us, would you please complete the CCW Membership Application Form and return the form for approval to the Membership Secretary, Cormonachan Community Woodlands Ltd, Wildwings, Lochgoilhead, Argyll, PA24 8AH (Membership@cormonachan-woodlands.co.uk) – membership runs from 1st April to 31st March annually. When renewing your membership on 1st April annually, please make a bank transfer or standing order to the Cormonachan  Community Woodlands Ltd with your surname & first name or business name as the reference – Bank account number 68771902 Bank Code: 08-92-50.  You do not have to fill in any forms as a CCW returning member. If you are renewing your membership and pay income tax please complete our Charity Gift Aid Declaration  so that we can claim 25p in the £1 as a tax refund – Thank you.

You can also support us through the Argyll Community Lottery:-
https://www.argyllcommunitylottery.co.uk/support/cormonachan-community-woodlands-ltd

Tickets for the lottery cost just £1 a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000!

Other ways of supporting us, by clicking on the below links, are by raising commission to us when you buy anything on the Internet:-

easyfundraising
where over 8,000 online retailers pay us a small commission on your purchases and it costs you nothing!

The Cormonachan Community Woodlands Ltd is very grateful to the following – The Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (LandTrust for North Ayrshire Council & EB Scotland for Argyll & Bute Council & Shanks, Argyll & Bute), The Wee Goil, Scotsts Ltd., Carrick Castle Boat Club, Forestry and Land Scotland, Scottish Forestry, Friends of Loch Lomond & Trossachs, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, AOEC Trust Ltd., Carrick Farm, The Lodge on Loch Goil, Argyll Holidays, Paths for All, Co-op Local Community Fund & many others for their donations to help with the funding of the organisation, members training, its tools, equipment, signs, people counter, archaeological survey & report on the Upper Cormonachan Medieval Settlement, the Red Squirrel Hide, Contemplation Shelter and the new car park.

Cormonachan Community Woodlands Ltd. (Scottish Charity No: SC050840) is a not-for-profit private limited company by guarantee without shares run by its volunteer members. It has raised all the funding for the Red Squirrel Hide, Contemplation Shelter and  a new car park that are all open every day of the year. Now, we are seeking funding for a new “Upper Cormonachan Paths Project” to the old 16th century Medieval Settlement at Upper Cormonachan and Cormonachan Falls so if you can help us with a donation, we would be very grateful – just use the ‘Donate’ button at the bottom of the page.

Please note we comply with General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) that came into effect on 25th May 2018.

See Events for more information.