Roots of Arran Community Woodland - who we are
Hello and welcome to the website of Roots of Arran Community Woodland, registered charity (SC035585). Roots of Arran volunteers meet on the second Sunday of the month (10.30am at the Viewpoint car park between Brodick and Lamlash) to carry out conservation work in their 30 hectare woodland just outside of Brodick. Tasks include footpath creation and maintenance, tree-planting and management, as well as rhododendron removal (it is an invasive species which stops other trees and plants from thriving).
Roots of Arran Community Woodland was formed in 2002 and volunteers have over the years planted up this large clear-fell site known as Fairy Glen or Lag a Bheith, with many young trees which include birch, rowan, beech, hazel, willow, oak, alder, blackthorn, Scots pine and even fruit trees in an enclosed orchard area. This is in order to regenerate the woodland for locals and visitors to enjoy and increase the island’s biodiversity.
In spring 2012 a pond was added as well as more footpaths. The area is on ‘loan’ to Roots of Arran through a ‘concordat’ agreement with Forestry and Land Scotland (formerly The Forestry Commission). The site has fairly rough tracks leading through it but is accessible on foot from the Viewpoint car park on the hill leading out of Brodick towards Lamlash. You can also get to it by walking up the road which has the Brodick Bar on the left and the old Post Office (now a laundrette) on the right. It takes you on to a track known as the Mayish and this leads up to the site (approximately a 1.5km walk). There is an ancient beech grove to the right of the main track just before the bridge if walking up from the Mayish, which has provided a fantastic space in which to not only shelter and ‘chill out’ but make environmental art and practise woodland skills. We ask visitors to ‘leave no trace’ so that nature can continue to thrive in the woodland.
See if you can find the silver birch spiral maze made by retired art teacher, Mike Bailey. It’s near the beech grove and includes a bench if you want to rest in this tranquil hidden spot.
Latest news
Tree Planting!
Read "Tree Planting!"