The Ancient Caledonian Forest A photographic journey through the tranquil landscapes of Scotland’s great forest. by
The view south across flooded land in Boat of Garten, at the edge of the Abernethy forest. The snow-capped Cairngorms lit by the early morning sun.
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he Boreal forest, also known as the Taiga, is an area of coniferous forest found across the globe in the northern latitude, between the tundra of the north, and the seasonal deciduous lands of the south.
The Taiga is the largest area of forest on the planet, and consists of mostly pine and spruce trees. Providing nearly a third of all the trees on earth, this unbroken blanket stretches through much of northern Europe, Russia, Siberia, Asia, Canada, and North America. It produces more oxygen and absorbs more carbon dioxide than all of the earth’s tropical rainforests combined. The Caledonian forest in the Scottish highlands forms the western edge of the great Taiga. This unique and ancient habitat boasts rich biodiversity, and dates back to around 7,000 BCE. The native Scots Pine that dominate the forests are links in a unbroken 9,000 year-long chain of natural evolution, the trees that grow here are directly descended from the first to colonize Scotland after the last ice age. The Caledonian forest is a place of wonder and enigmatic energy; it is among the rarest and most beautiful forests in the world.
Mist rises from the forest in the early morning sun, below the mighty Braeriach - The third highest mountain in the British Isles
The Abernethy Forest, the largest part of the Caledonian Forest. Facing southwards across Loch Garten to the snow-capped Cairngorm Mountains.
A late spring evening in the RSPB’s Abernethy Forest Reserve, the heart of the Caledonian Forest.
Wide spread roots of the native Scots Pine trees, in the forest around Loch Garten.
Dense pinewoods at the western edge of Loch Garten, Abernethy.
Primeval looking Pine trees of the Abernethy Forest, at the shores of the silent Loch Mallachie.
A patch of young Pine trees taking advantage of the extra light, in a clearing in the Abernethy forest around Loch Mallachie.
The Abernethy Forest - The largest remnant of the Caledonian Forest.
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he Caledonian Forest has long been exploited and diminished by man. From the early felling and burning since the Neolithic times, to the increase in agriculture and the industrial revolution, time has seen Scotland’s forests cut back to just a fraction of the size they once were. Shortages of timber in England and lowland Scotland during the turn of the 20th century had a huge impact on the felling of the forest. Between 1960 and 1990, 50% of its trees were also cut down, leaving only 1% of the ancient forest remaining. The Caledonian forest consists of 84 fragments scattered around the highlands, the largest of which is Abernethy - A carpet of trees north of the Cairngorm Plateau. The great forest of Caledon was once home to wolves, lynx, and boar, however the past few hundred years has seen them hunted to extinction by man. The absence of predators has led to an increase in grazing animals such as deer and sheep, known for feeding on young tree seedlings, in turn leaving the forest unable to regenerate itself naturally. Human interference has disrupted the forest’s eco-system and has caused huge amounts of deforestation. Many other areas of the forest consist of nothing but mature trees, some of which are projected to die of old age within the next 50 years, leaving little behind to grow in their place. Organisations such as the RSPB, the Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust, and Trees for Life are working to regenerate large areas of the forest by planting huge amounts of native species and managing existing woodland habitat. Voluntary work by Trees for Life has already seen over one million native trees planted across the highlands, with the aims of planting one million more by 2018. United under the banner of conservation and environmental awareness, the collective vision for the Caledonian forest is to see all the fragmented remnants combined, restored, and protected. The dedication and persistence of conservationists will ensure a mightier and healthier Caledonian forest, for future generations to enjoy.
Some of Scotland’s most ancient ‘Granny’ pines, can be found in the woods around Loch an Eilein ‘loch of the island’.
An old felled pine is one of many left to naturally decay. This deadwood provides vital habitat and nutrients to the eco-system.
A cloudy sunset at the tranquil shores of Loch Garten, an area famed for its breeding population of the large and elusive bird of prey, the Osprey.
The late afternoon spring sunshine shimmers through the dense pinewoods at the edge of Loch Garten.
Pinewoods growing in abundance along the hillsides, at the shores of Loch an Eilein.
A mixture of native species including Pine, Rowan and Birch reflecting into the northern waters of Loch Garten.
With its double coat of hair and wide horns, the Highland Cattle are well adapted to survive in the challenging weather and terrain of the Scottish highlands.
Wild Roe Deer moving cautiously through mature woodland, at the side of the river Spey.
Long term volunteers at Trees for Life transferring Pine seedlings into root training trays.
Young Scots Pine saplings inside the Trees for Life tree nursery at the Dundreggan Estate, near Loch Ness.
A range of native trees and plants in their early stages, at the Trees for Life tree nursery.
Ross Watson, RSPB Operations Team Leader explains the history of the landscape on the edge of the Abernethy Forest Reserve. Cuillin Fergus, RSPB Volunteer as his passenger, on the track to the Ryvoan Pass.
A handful of old Pines scattered amongst the Heather. This land was once made up of around 70% Scots Pine, with areas of other species such as Juniper, Willow, and Aspen. All of the trees here were felled in the 1860’s, any trees not straight enough for timber were left on the landscape, allowing them in time to grow outwards with all the extra space. Under the ownship and management of the RSPB, this landscape will soon be regenerated with native trees, to become the Caledonian Forest of tomorrow.
Young Scots Pine trees establishing themselves on the hillsides at the Ryvoan Pass, between Glenmore and Abernethy. The early stages of forest regeneration.
An isolated fragment of ancient Caledonian forest, north of the Cairngorms.
Until the mid 1980’s this area was just a ditch in the forest, the RSPB have since created into a wet area, as a habitat for Dragonflies and Damselflies.
The Forest Lodge, The base of the RSPB’s Abernethy Reserve. Built in 1880, this timber-clad shooting lodge is the largest that remains in Scotland.
The skeleton of a primeval Pine near the Ryvoan Bothy, the holes and snags in the deadwood offer habitat for various species of bird. This particular giant is thought to be one of the oldest in the Cairngorms.
Some of the oldest trees in the Caledonian forest can be found in the Rothiemurchus forest near Aviemore.
Young Scots Pine seedlings planted at the RSPB tree nursery at the Forest Lodge in Abernethy.