Our story
Cormonachan Community Woodlands conservation commenced in 1998. During this period we have created 2.5 km of circular paths, a car park, an archaeological investigation on the Medieval Settlement, built a Red Squirrel Hide, a Contemplation Shelter and currently are raising funds for a further 2 km of paths to connect up with the existing paths to the Forest Road, Medieval Settlement, the Cormonachan Falls and a second car park to the new southern area. See drone footage of the waterfalls and settlement area.
We are clearing away all invasive Rhododendron ponticum and non-native Sitka spruce from the woodlands and replacing these areas with native deciduous trees. So far we have planted 425 native trees and will be planting a further 230 native trees in November 2021.
Our plan is to clear the remaining Rhododendron in our 63.9 ha woodlands by 2022 and continue to fell the underplanted Sitka spruce and replace with more native trees in our Ancient Semi Natural Woodlands over the next few years.
Our advice
We have had considerable help from Forest and Land Scotland, Loch Lomond The Trossachs National Park and Community Woodlands Association.
As a not-for-profit volunteer organisation, our only income stream is from members subscriptions that pay for the running of the organisation and woodlands maintenance is carried out by the volunteers. All projects are funded by grants.
Our metrics
Number of visitors to our Ancient Semi Natural Woodlands – we expect the numbers to double from 9,000 to 18,000 once the new paths are constructed in 2022.
