A short, but steep, walk up through part of the Glasdrum Wood National Nature Reserve, renowned for its rich variety of plants, birds and butterflies. The walk has good views over the head of Loch Creran.
Summary
Clear paths through woodland with a long, steep section rewarded by good views.
Terrain
Glasdrum Wood National Nature Reserve car park on minor road off the A828 between Appin
and Barcaldine
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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1. The marked trail starts at the left side of the car park and is marked with an information board. Scottish Natural Heritage, which manages the site, have provided leaflets on the trail which are often available from the wooden box. There is also a picnic table and a superb view across Loch Creran to the great Munro of Beinn Sgulaird. The path climbs gently to begin with, and soon reaches a fork. Take the left hand path.
2. The marker post signs this cleared area, under powerlines, as a natural powerpoint. This relates to the fact that the butterflies and other insects that thrive in this wildwood can use the cleared area to store up solar energy, warming themselves to prepare for flight. Glasdrum is one of the few places in Britain which is home to the rare chequered skipper butterfly. The trail continues to climb through the mixed woodland, where evidence of coppicing can be seen. The path crosses a wooden bridge and comes to a fork where a short detour is marked, “Getting a Glasburn tan”. The detour path takes you uphill to the spot where charcoal burners, two centuries or more ago, used to light slow burning fires covered with earth to create charcoal. Return to the main path and turn left uphill continuing on the trail.
3. The path passes through the woodland with views over the surrounding countryside and crosses a second bridge. A little further along the path levels off and a bench is reached. The path now starts to head downhill and soon reaches a bench with a good view over the head of Loch Creran.
4. A marker posts says, Looking to Europe. This refers to the marine worms called serpulids that live in the waters of Loch Creran. These amazing creatures form hard tubes around their bodies and in Loch Creran these have formed colonies making a reef that in turn supports a huge number of other species. This has lead Loch Creran to be designated as a Special Conservation Area by the European Union.
5. Continue steeply downhill. The path crosses more open ground and then runs alongside a small stream. There are good views across to Druimavuic House across the valley. The trail crosses another bridge before rejoining the outward path at the 'natural powerpoint' marker post. Turn left here and head downhill to reach the car park.
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