Cormonachan Community Woodlands has 63.9 ha of Ancient Semi Natural Woodlands and is part of the Scottish Rainforest.

Scotland’s rainforest, an Atlantic rainforest, is identified as being under threat and in decline. In this video Helen Bibby from SAC Consulting and Stan Phillips from NatureScot outline what makes up Scotland’s rainforest, its biodiversity, and what can be done to protect it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7YZniWoTm0&t=2s

A very extensive habitat survey and management plan has been developed which can be viewed at this link.

Essentially, it requires progressive thinning of the non-native species in the woodlands, particularly the Sitka spruce and Rhododendron ponticum, neither of which are helpful for the biodiversity of the woodlands.

This work is carried out by a variety of groups. This includes Cormonachan Community Woodlands volunteer members, school groups from Lochgoilhead and Fife, volunteer groups with the help of Fife Conservation Group, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park volunteers and Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre. We hope to expand this work, to further improve the Cormonachan Community Woodlands.

Some hazel has been coppiced as a demonstration site, paths cleared, Sitka spruce underplanted trees removed, native trees planted, invasive Rhododendron and bracken cut down, ditches cleaned out and there is always more to be done! Get in touch if you want to help – Contact our Volunteers Leader at Volunteers@cormonachan-woodlands.co.uk.

   Cormonachan Community Woodlands Volunteers planting native trees

Outreach

Some of the skills learned in the woodlands have been taken by staff from Ardroy to other locations, working in conjunction with the Woodland Trust and the Scout’s Organisation, on tree planting events throughout Scotland. Green Woodworking and basic Bushcraft workshops have taken place in Perth, Dollar, Glendevon, Paisley and  Eilan Shona, and plenty trees were planted.