Grudie Oakwood
Grudie is one of the most northerly oakwoods in Britain, on the north shore of Loch a'Chuilinn in Strath Bran. It is a truly beautiful native woodland, with oaks more than 200 years old growing amongst hazel, birch, bird cherry and rowan. The site is in the very north of our Project Area and we are returning to it after an absence of several years to consolidate previous work and to protect naturally regenerating young trees for the future.
The Work 
You will be carrying out a variety of work, including erecting fencing to protect young oak seedlings that have naturally regenerated, and felling non-native conifers to increase the areas available for the growth of native species. There will also be tree planting on nearby Scatwell Estate, most likely aspen propagated in our tree nursery.
Accommodation
Accommodation is at the Riverside Chalet Park in the Highland village of Contin. There are three well-equipped chalets next to the River Blackwater, and the site is a fantastic spot for watching red kites. Facilities include bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, living room and on-site laundry and drying.
Sleeping bag not required.
Opportunities for your day off
Ben Wyvis, one of the most famous Munros (mountain peaks over 3,000 feet in elevation), is just a few miles outside Contin. You could visit the lovely Falls of Rogie and there are various forest trails around the village. The Dolphin and Seal Centre at North Kessock is a popular local tourist attraction.
Please note that the day off is also a day off for the leaders of the week. The minibus may sometimes be available for use as a group but you may need to rely on local transport to reach some of these locations.
Wildlife
There are red kites nesting locally and a range of other birds of prey are also frequently seen, including ospreys, peregrine falcons and buzzards. There is a wide variety of other bird life, as well as mammals, with red deer regularly seen and pine martens resident in the local area.
Last updated: Thursday, 29-Nov-2012 17:24:21 CET