Craigmonie Woodland Association
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The Craigmonie Woodland Association is a local community group managing Craigmonie Wood in partnership with the Forestry Commission. Since its formation in 1996 the Association has established paths linking Craigmonie Wood to the adjoining Balmacaan Wood which is owned and managed by the Woodland Trust Scotland. Look out for the coloured waymarkers for the four walks. These range from easy to strenuous, taking between 20 mins to 1 hour to complete. Linking up the walks will provide a morning or afternoon’s outing. By taking the path above Milton viewpoint and joining the main forest track you can explore Glen Coiltie and Glen Urquhart, hopefully enjoying fine views. |
| Details of the walks can be found on the information board sited in the village car park and at the start. A free leaflet with a map giving a brief history of the wood and describing the walks in more detail can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre in the village car park. Watch out for the signal posts describing the trees and wildlife found in the wood. You may be fortunate in sighting roe deer picking their way across a path or browsing on the margin of the wood. Other mammals that are known to visit include red squirrel, badger, bats and fox. Throughout the year it is possible to see a variety of birds, including great spotted woodpecker, buzzard, long tailed tit, great tit, blue tit, goldcrest, robin, blackbird, wren and hooded crow. In summer look out for song thrush, mistle thrush, kestrel, willow warbler, and treecreeper. On the woodland edge, swallow, swift and house martin can be seen feeding. |
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| The group carries out a variety of jobs throughout the year ranging from strimming the path edges, clearing invasive rhododendron, cleaning and maintaining the bird boxes situated in the wood, to clearing the ditches. In December the group distributes logs to the older residents in the community. | |
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| With the exception of January and July, work parties are held on the first Saturday of each month from 0930 to 1230. Meet at the Information Board beside the two big trees on the Balmacaan track. We welcome new members to our friendly group, so why not come along, enjoy the exercise and fresh air, no experience necessary just enthusiasm. If you would like further information contact Alan Bell 01456 450227 or John Bryce 01456 450096 |
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