Knapdale Forest

I was in Argyll today to visit Knapdale Forest, south of Cairnbaan on the Crinan Canal, and home to the current Scottish Beaver Trials. I saw no beavers (partly because of the noise being made by other visitors and their dogs and children - hummph), but there was plenty evidence of their activity. Hundreds of trees, mainly Birch, had been felled by these miniature lumberjacks to construct the most amazing dam, which has created a new lochan. All through the forest in the vicinity of the lochan are the gnawed stumps of felled trees, surrounded by piles of woodchips. Dawn and dusk are apparently the best time to see them, so I shall return.

It was a beautiful sunny day, though all the mountains are still snowclad on their upper slopes. Knapdale Forest too is beautiful, with many species of trees, mosses and lichens. Life and green-ness is returning after the winter, with many buds ready to open. It was a wonderful day out.


Nikon D800 + macro + tripod