We have just held another very successful and interesting Excursion.
On the Wednesday night we held our AGM followed by a well-attended seminar. Liz Shortall introduced us to the Great Trossachs Forest, and Donald Hendry gave a fascinating talk on the setting up of a fold of high-quality Highland cattle for conservation grazing and local, sustainable food.
Our outing on Thursday took us over the Bealach nam Bo on the south shore of Loch Katrine. We saw the remains of old settlements and their legacy of managed or worked trees, some of which appeared to have been pollarded in the past. Among these was an ancient ash tree around 300 years old and one of the oldest known in Scotland, and some younger but enormous oaks. This strenuous but enjoyable day was led by Peter Quelch, Coralie Mills and Russel Lamont, and generated some vigorous discussion about the interpretation of archaeological remains, the possible management of the trees and the relationships between age and size in trees - which is not straightforward.
Sadly, the fine weather did not continue and Friday's outing to Glen Finglas was conducted in pouring rain. However, this was compensated for by the transport kindly arranged by the Woodland Trust who own the site - tractors drawing trailers with straw-bale seating. We visited and discussed an old wood pasture with ancient hazel trees standing in a herb-rich grassy sward, new planting on a long-bare hillside, and an area of mature woodland, led by Tim Hall and Adam Wallace. Many thanks to the cafe at Brig o' Turk for the warm room and hot drinks which helped to revive the incipiently hypothermic at the end of the day.
On Friday night we held our customary ceilidh. There was plenty of participation and some fine dancing to the Skelpit Lug ceilidh band.
Saturday was another warm, calm day for our final visit to Inchmahome Island, in the Lake of Menteith. Historic Scotland very kindly provided free transport to the Island, where we explored the 13th-century Priory and the surrounding woodland which includes a line of venerable sweet chestnuts, some fine oaks and an extraordinary grove of mature box. John Snodin and Jonathan Wordsworth led this visit.
Many thanks to Ruth Anderson for organising the Excursion, to all our speakers and visit leaders, and to the Dreadnought Hotel in Callander for hosting the indoor elements of the event.
The group discussing a large oak near the shore of Loch Katrine. What looks like a single enormous tree is probably several fused stems following coppicing or browsing in the past. Photo by Alison Averis.
