Sites of Special Scientific Interest -
Lower Strathavon Woodlands - GR NJ 188 318

Semi-natural broadleaved woodlands

The lower Strathavon woodlands represent the most complete example of the range of semi-natural woodlands which occur in Strathavon, Glenlivet and the nearby sections of Strathspey. Much of the former native woodland cover of these areas has been lost or become impoverished, but this Lower Strathavon retains its largely wooded character and the relationship between the various woodland types and different site conditions can be clearly seen. Many parts of the site have supported native woodland since at least the 18th Century and are probably remnants of the primaeval forest cover of the area.

The site contains a wide variety of woodland types and communities all with reasonably natural structure and composition. the freely draining soils of Criag an Donich support the uppermost stand of oak woodland in the district, consisting largely of pendunculate oak, birch hazel with aspen and sloe (blackthorn). Fragments of more mixed woodland including wych elm, ash and gean occur on pockets of more fertile soil such as at Craig Aldich. Alderwoods are well represented on the damper soils of the valley floor, springlines and lower slopes, particularly adjacent to the River Avon and its tributaries. Bird cherry is notably abundant in these woods. the most extensive type is birch woodland which cloaks the upper slopes in which juniper is particularly abundant. In several areas birch is extending onto adjacent heathland (together with some Scots pine from nearby plantations) and a site at Craggan is the subject of long term research into the relationship between the spread of birch and soil conditions.

The variety of woodlands is also reflected in a particularly diverse ground vegetation. Dogs mercury (Mercurialis perennis), enchanters nightshade (Circaea intermedia), yellow pimpernel (Lysimachia nemorum), wood and pendulous sedge (Carex sylvatica and C.pendula) and a variety of ferns occur in richer areas. Elsewhere a range of grass, bracken and heath vegetation typical of north-east Scotland predominates. The diversity of woodland structure and vegetation is further increased by several open areas. Along the riverbank and in some glades, a herb rich grassland occurs including globe flower (Trolleus europaea), melancholy thistle (Cirsium heteropyhllum), quaking grass (Briza media) and several orchids. Elsewhere, particularly above the Haugh of Kilnmaichlie, Craggan and Dalmenach, acid bogs and flushes maintain a rich open vegetation of scrub willow, bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), Sphagnum moss, ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) and locally Vaccinium microcarpum

Ragged Robin

Glenlivet welcomes you to explore its tracks and byways.