Partner Portrait Kinloch Woodlands, Wester Ross
Old Scots pine at sunset, Kinloch Woodlands, Shieldaig
Kinloch Woodlands in Wester Ross boasts one of the most dramatic vistas of any Northwoods partner. Looking across Loch Shieldaig, the imposing Torridon mountains form an impressive backdrop whilst to the east lies Ben Shieldaig, cloaked in ancient Caledonian pine forest. The 3,700-acre estate operates as a charity and is an exemplary model of community ownership driving ecological restoration to create a landscape where both nature and people can thrive.
Over the last 30 years the focus has been on establishing new native woodland through a combination of tree planting, natural regeneration and effective deer management. The results speak for themselves but this is merely the beginning of what is hoped will be a generational transformation towards a landscape where natural processes are allowed to dictate their own outcomes, within a context of strong community involvement.
When Richard and Claire Munday found the perfect place to start a new outdoor tourism business back in 1992, they hadn’t bargained for the 3,700 acres of heavily-grazed hill ground that came with the property!
A remnant birchwood that clung to the steepest slope, ignited a vision for ecological recovery and so began a long-term mission towards natural woodland regeneration.
With support from what is now Scottish Forestry, the birchwood and a total of 1200 acres was deer-fenced and subsequently planted with native trees – predominantly birch and pine – in 1994 and again in 1999.
To safeguard the long-term future for Kinloch Woodlands, ownership was transferred to the local community in 2015 in the form of a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). It’s now run by a board of trustees comprising local families and land management experts, all dedicated to improving the area for future generations.
Whilst the overall philosophy is one of letting nature lead, deer management remains essential because of incursions from deer that swim around the end of the fence at the lochside, tempted by a buffet of young trees!
Four local stalkers cull an average of 15 deer each year, some of which are butchered on site in a small deer larder and given away to the local community.
A proportion of carcasses remain on the ground, where they provide an important source of protein for scavengers like white-tailed and golden eagles.
The ‘upper block’ is generally poor ground, low in nutrients and here, the 1999 planting saw mixed results. Consequently, a further 5,000 stems were planted in areas where trees were doing well, in a bid to try to plant the right trees in the right places.
Tree planting can never fully replicate nature but learning from successes and failures can help to produce a more natural looking woodland. As the planted trees mature and produce seed, natural regeneration will prevail, with trees growing where nature intends.
For those species still absent in the landscape, further planting is planned as part of the charity’s Long Term Forest Plan. This will include species that were underrepresented in the original planting plan such as aspen, willow, juniper and hazel.
The developing woodland alongside a much healthier ground flora, now free from constant grazing pressure, has led to an increase in birdlife as well as small mammals, amphibians and invertebrates.
Kinloch Woodlands brings many benefits to the local community, whose ownership provides the framework and incentive to continue the drive towards ecological recovery for the people of Shieldaig to enjoy.
In December 2024, the charity forged a pioneering partnership with the University of Edinburgh that will deliver natural capital benefits – the social and economic benefits that come from nature – to the Shieldaig community.
As part of the University’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2040, the partnership aims to extend the existing native woodland through both natural regeneration and selected new tree planting.
Kinloch Woodlands will receive financial support over the course of the project to help with running the estate and to reinvest into the Shieldaig community.
Working with the University of Edinburgh Community Ranger, local school pupils will be able to explore and learn about Kinloch Woodlands, using a citizen science approach.
'We are looking forward to working collaboratively with Kinloch Woodlands to facilitate learning, teaching and research opportunities in the local area. This will be achieved via our engagement with the local schools and community, and through university research that will provide evidence to support future land management decisions.' Dr Annie Yang, Forest and Peatland Programme Academic Manager, University of Edinburgh
'The charity’s vision for woodland expansion where fences are removed and natural processes prevail, extends over generations, but the immediate legacy is a place rejuvenated, where more people – both locals and visitors – can enjoy the landscape and learn from it.' Richard Munday, Convenor of Trustees Kinloch Woodlands SCIO
