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Dun Choillich Tree Planting Underway
The community land purchase at Dun Coillich adjacent to Schiehallion is finally taking root. After three years surveying the land, checking geology, auditing archaeology, taking an inventory of flora and fauna, planning and applying for grants and assistance, the Highland Perthshire Community Land Trust (HPCLT), which arranged purchase of Dun Coillich for the community in 2002, has reached the first substantial and visible landmark in the hill’s regeneration.
The first stage, planting some 30,000 trees, re-establishing the native woodland, started in earnest a few weeks ago before the snows on the North West side of the 1100 acres close to Schiehallion. Some of the Trustees, and a member of the public, two-year-old Rob Pointer, celebrated the event by planting two special Scots Pines amid what is planned to be a woodland rich with predominantly Scots pine and downy birch, but containing also a rich variety of other species including oak, ash, aspen, silver birch, rowan, alder, hazel, bird cherry, hawthorn, juniper, blackthorn, holly, wych elm, whitebeam, willows and Larch. |
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The trustees say members of the public are welcome to walk on Dun Coillich (keeping dogs under control for the birds of course) and get involved with this exciting project. They plan further tree planting events, walks, the creation of ponds for water birds, involvement with local schools, days on the hill to observe the wildlife, mammals, insects and hill birds already now re-settling in Dun Coillich’s high hidden plateaus and corries.
Car Park Provision
As well as the planting, the next large development will be a proper and safe car park set off the road just north of the Glen Goulandie Caravan Park. From there some safe paths need to be built both to the planned bird hide and the flatter meadowland areas allowing access for people with all levels of fitness, and none.
Some areas of the hill, mainly along the Allt Mor burn on the southern boundary, are already showing signs of natural regeneration after the years of overgrazing which left it barren, bracken strewn and a heathered outcrop of Schiehallion. However, now the replanting of trees has started, and meadowland, ponds and indigenous species are also being encouraged sculpted and protected, HPCLT hopes the whole hill will become a major asset for local people, especially to see the native woodland proliferate and prosper and to have the opportunity of real involvement. To monitor progress - and especially if you want to help- you can either contact the trustees or visit www.hpclt.org , but, best of all, just walk the hill and see the changes and challenges for yourself!
by Philip Campbell
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