Glencharnoch Wood - Carrbridge
Site Description
Glencharnoch wood is situated on the western outskirts of the large village of Carrbridge, 23 miles south of Inverness. Carrbridge is easily accessible from the A9 Inverness to Perth trunk road turn-off and the woodland is accessible via Station Road from the village centre. The main entrance is at Grid Reference NH 902226. The site ranges from 250m - 280m above sea level and, though undulating, is broadly flat in aspect.
The geology of the site is comprised of glacial drifts of partially sorted gravels derived from acid granites and schists of the Moine series. This gives rise to shallow acid peat’s, peaty podzols and peaty gleys. There two wet flushes which feed two small, slow-flowing, permanent streams with flat, boggy stream margins. The MLURI climate map identifies the area as 'cool, rather wet, lowland foothills and uplands, moderately exposed, with rather severe winters’. The area occasionally suffers very severe low temperatures.
The woodland under Trust ownership covers an area of 14.57 ha and is centred around a broad 'spine' of mature Scot’s pine woodland, 85% of which is designated as Ancient Semi natural woodland (2a) on 1860 maps within the Ancient and Semi-natural woodland inventory. This woodland forms apart of a much larger woodland area of several 100 hectares to the south and east and is part of the major concentration of ancient woodlands within the catchments of the R. Spey. The larger woodland area is mainly native pinewood with birch and alder woodlands.
The WT owned woodland is mainly even-aged Scots pine (P1950) with some groups of mature Norway spruce concentrated on the western fringe. The core pine area is surrounded by an area of semi-mature birch wood, an area of pole-stage plantation Scots pine (1ha P1985), a fairly recent clearfell site (1998) with Scots pine and birch regeneration, and two areas where lodgepole pine have been removed to favour the retained Scots pine and silver birch regeneration (1998). The mature Scots pine is tall, of good form and support an attractive 'umbrella' canopy. Due to its plantation origin the other species of tree and shrub are largely absent throughout the main pine areas with only widely scattered individual holly, hazel and juniper present.
The semi-mature birch wood contains some occasional small-pole stage specimens and a few examples of rowan, willow, aspen and juniper. Throughout the site the natural regeneration is mainly (> 90%) of Scots pine and silver birch, with one large group of rowan and some scattered small groups of downy birch, hazel, aspen and goat willow and juniper shrub in places - mainly near the site boundaries. There is also some scattered Norway spruce regeneration within and around the mature pinewood.
There are some small groups of newly planted (2002) mixed broadleaves in tubes throughout the woodland at intervals along the northernmost stream margin together with juniper shrub planting in short tubes in Compartments 1f and 1d. Some windthrow is occurring among the mature Norway spruce, especially in the wet flushes and along the fringes of the narrow riparian areas. There are large areas of retained 'high cut stumps', log piles and brash heaps resulting from the fell-to-recycle of plantation lodgepole pine(1998) These provide dead standing timber as habitat for birds and numerous felled logs and brash heaps provide a niche for small mammals, invertebrates and fungi. There are three small 0.5ha rabbit netted enclosures in Compartment 1a that are now redundant. The woodlands form a prominent local feature and are of high landscape value within and around Carrbridge village.
The field layer is dominated by a heather and blaeberry mosaic with a rich moss layer in places The wet flushes, marsh areas and permanent streams provide variety with rushes and sedges present and seasonal pools provide additional interest. Wood ants (including the rare narrow headed ant), red squirrel and roe deer are found within the wood, along with crossbills and crested tits. Further survey work is required to assess the woodland for its wildlife interest with particular reference to HAPs and SAP communities and species.
There are some interesting sculptured wooden seats at the entrance and these seem to combine well with the woodland landscape. Glacial activity has created a series of small ridges in the northeast corner of the woodland.
The site has a long continuity as a pinewood but the origin of the Scots pine is unknown. However, it is likely that it is directly descended from the nearby Seafield estate native pinewoods. The woodland was formerly part of Ellan Wood and was purchased by the Woodland Trust in 1989.
This is an important local amenity for the people of Carrbridge providing all year round woodland walks and connections between different parts of the village. There are three easily accessible entrances and within the site there is about 1km of prominent footpaths with links to neighbouring footpaths. There are also numerous narrow 'desire line' footpaths that allow reasonable access to the remainder of the woodland. Small wooden bridges are in place at stream crossing points. Glencharnoch wood is of particular local importance for landscape, amenity and recreation purposes and is well used by the public. Visitor numbers are estimated at 10,000 per year. There are no forest roads within the site but the well made tracks on the southern boundary give adequate access to the wood for management purposes.
The woodland lies within a 30-mile radius of a population of over 50,000 and is close to the large village of Carrbridge. The A9 trunk road provides for short journey times from Inverness and all villages south and nearby parking facilities are good with space for up to 20 vehicles near the main entrance. The popular 'Landmark Visitor Centre', an important tourist attraction, is also within 100m walking distance from the site.
